British Comedy Guide

Writing (general)

This is our section housing general advice about comedy writing.

Bottom. Image shows left to right: Dave Hedgehog (Christopher Ryan), Spudgun (Steven O'Donnell), Eddie Hitler (Adrian Edmondson), Richie Richard (Rik Mayall). Credit: BBC

Good writing

  • Wednesday 17th April 2024

What constitutes "good" writing? We explore.

Day and night

Morning, noon and night: days and times in script scene headings

  • Monday 15th April 2024

We talk about noting days and times in scripts.

Miranda. Image shows left to right: Miranda (Miranda Hart), Dick Twist (Jason Watkins)

Carry on writing

  • Wednesday 10th April 2024

If you feel a script isn't working, when should you abandon it and when should you grind to the end?

Man realising he's made a grammar mistake

Bad writing

  • Tuesday 9th April 2024

It's important your writing meets a certain standard.

Coupling. Image shows from L to R: Jane (Gina Bellman), Susan (Sarah Alexander), Jeff (Richard Coyle), Steve (Jack Davenport), Sally (Kate Isitt), Patrick (Ben Miles). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd

Common mistakes, part 1

  • Monday 8th April 2024

Here are some common mistakes we often see from new writers.

Creative Writing 2.1

5 quick tips to get your writing back on track

  • Friday 1st March 2024

Here are five useful comedy writing wrinkles to help with your scripts.

Carry On Cowboy. Copyright: Peter Rogers Productions

Freelance comedy writing: A gun for hire

  • Thursday 29th February 2024

We discuss the reality of life as a freelance comedy writer.

The Comedy Doctor. Credit: BCG

The Comedy Doctor on writing partnerships

  • Monday 19th February 2024

The Comedy Doctor answers a question from a member who is writing a script with a friend.

Chris Gau

Checking your equipment

  • Friday 16th February 2024

In this back-to-basics piece, we discuss what you need to become a comedy writer.

Micheál Jacob

Micheál Jacob on script editing, part 2

  • Thursday 15th February 2024

In the second part of our discussion with Micheál Jacob, he goes into detail about the relationship between a script editor, the writer, and production.