First you have to come out with a flow of ideas and decide which ones will work. Then you must give them a tight structure, and then write crisp dialogue which builds in constant laughs. This practical but inspirational book guides new and more experienced writers step by step through the process of each comedy genre. It gives space for your creativity to shine as you gradually build your skills.

Beginning with sketches, the basic building blocks of comedy, you'll find how you can quickly create great premises, and then structure them into two-minute slices of hilarity. The same techniques will help you write a string of jokes and one-liners.

A practical guide to comedy as you write it, from creating mindmaps from which to glean your new material, to techniques of structure, characterisation and dialogue which work.

Covers the distinct techniques and mindsets needed by each genre in turn, in the usual progression of a writer's career - from jokes and sketches to sitcoms.

You'll also learn how to find outlets for your work, from submitting to the BBC to staging your own show or filming comedy for the internet.

First published: Thursday 1st May 2014