Helen Johnson, Yorkshire Writer

Helen Johnson Freelance Writer

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Tag Archives: creative writing

Writing Distinctive Dialogue

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Helen Johnson

A creative writing exercise in identifying characters by the way they speak Every individual has their own unique speech pattern. Hence, distinctive speech is a valuable way of showing characterisation, Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, writing, writing craft skills

Creative Writing exercise: Fictional settings to draw readers in

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Helen Johnson
we writers can learn from masters of the craft

When writing fiction, it’s important to set the scene, to portray the setting. But long descriptions can bore readers. Therefore, I’ve been considering how to describe setting, but writing to Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing craft skills

Writing Flash Fiction – Hints and Tips

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Helen Johnson

I’ve been writing flash fiction for seven years now, and find it a great way to hone skills. I don’t worry about publishing it, I just use it as a Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

Creative writing exercise: crafting an antagonist who readers will REALLY hate

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Helen Johnson
Creative writing, building your antagonist

Bigging up the Bad Guy– or Gal When I googled the question: how to make readers really hate my Bad Guy/Gal, antagonist, or villain, I got a range of suggestions, Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

A creative writing exercise on subtext in dialogue – because real people don’t say what they mean.

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Helen Johnson
creative writing exercises are like writerly gym

Helen Johnson gives tips and tricks for writing subtext in dialogue. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, writing, writing craft skills

Creative writing exercise: surprise

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Helen Johnson

Helen Johnson shares an exercise in creative writing technique, for suprise. Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, Short Stories, writing craft skills

Locked in

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Helen Johnson

As you know, in recent years, I’ve begun writing fiction. As we’re all locked in now, I thought I’d share a short story I wrote a while back, about someone Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, Short Stories

Book goes on sale

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Helen Johnson
Golden Clippings, anthology by Thirsk Write Now

My first piece of fiction in paper print has gone on sale, in Thirk’s award-winning independent bookshop, White Rose Books. My work is a short story, included in an anthology Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction

Short Story Glory

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Helen Johnson
Life is harder than a game of chess

I am absolutely delighted that my short story, The Boy Who Stood Up, has won runner up in the  Kosta’s Olive Tree Short Story Competion. They asked for stories about someone who Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, Short Stories

Historical Novel in Progress

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Helen Johnson
11th century re enactors

I completed the first draft of my historical novel this week.   The novel was was inspired by the many historians, re-enactors, museum curators and archaeologists I’ve met over the Continue Reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged creative writing, fiction, historical fiction

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