Writing Talk | Ken Elkes | Substack

Does a story really need conflict to work?

Reflections on the so-called 'golden rule’ of narrative

May 10 •

Defamiliarisation - a fun way to embrace the strange in your writing

In last week’s free Writing Talk post, I talked about embracing the strange in your writing work. It provoked a very positive response, and is already…

Apr 29 •

Embrace the strange in your writing

Unleashing the potential of the off-beat and the odd

Apr 23 •

Make your readers care

Ideas on the only goal we really need as writers

Apr 17 •

Writing funny - it’s a serious business

How using humour can add depth and energy to your work

Apr 12 •

Most Popular

What I have learned about submitting to publishers and writing competitions – Part One

Jan 11 • Ken Elkes

Positive Procrastination – Finding Gifts From The Universe

Mar 26 • Ken Elkes

Make your readers care

Apr 17 • Ken Elkes

Be more dog! How to shrug off those writing blues

Mar 18 • Ken Elkes

The Anatomy Of A Rejection

A One-Act, Not-Entirely-Serious, Screenplay

Apr 5 •

Positive Procrastination – Finding Gifts From The Universe

Firstly, an apology. I’ve been on a break for a couple of weeks and away from Substack. Somehow, I messed up the notification and scheduling of content…

Mar 26 •

Be more dog! How to shrug off those writing blues

Does this sound familiar? You start on a writing project and you feel like a bottle of shaken champagne - fizzing with ideas, overflowing with great…

Mar 18 •

Honouring Your Own Experiences

Writing Challenge: Create Your Own Desert Island Castaway Playlist

Mar 11 •

I’m Ken and I’m a writer from a working class background - so live with it!

Let me give you a quote: “Anyone who survived childhood has enough material to write for the rest of his life.” - Flannery O'Connor Let me give you…

Mar 8 •

Character is destiny

Some musings (and a writing exercise) on bringing your characters to life

Mar 4 •

The magic that happens when turning characters into people

Some thoughts on Direct and Indirect Characterisation

Mar 1 •

Record your work and open your writing self to your reading self

Some known and lesser known benefits of reading your work aloud

Feb 26 •

It’s time we pulled the art of good feedback out of the shadows

Giving and receiving feedback can make you a better writer – and even a better person!

Feb 23 •

Writing Talk

Writing Talk

A supportive community for writers and readers, featuring insights on writing craft, the power of narrative, and reflections on the good, bad and funny of the creative writing life.

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