Antonia's Writing Blog

Neglect...

2011-06-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hi, all. I HAVE neglected this Blog, what with Uni work and ordinary dull work and writing...enough of the old excuses. Anyway, here to say I'm going to make time, get back on track and start Blogging again. I'll tell you all about my Uni experience, good and bad and pretty mad, too!!

Last Push for Final Portfolio

2010-08-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am having worked all day on my final porfolio. I'm off work all this week, so can devote all my time to licking it into shape. I have almost finished the self-reflective critical essay, which was no mean feat I can tell you. I called into the bindery today and priced-up, got turnaround times etc. I'm taking the work in there on 20th August, picking it up on 24th August, handing it in to Uni on 1st September.

Once it's gone, it's gone. Shudder!

Inspirational T.V. Writer at Uni...read on...

2010-06-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

Terry Cafolla came to Lancaster Uni on Thursday to talk about working in T.V. He's very friendly, informative and eager to pass on tips and information. He's one of the writers on Law and Order UK, which I really enjoyed. Looking forward to the next series.

One thing that struck me was how ordinary he is. No airs and graces. I don't know why, but you tend (or is it just me) to imagine that those who have made it in tv etc, will be beyond you in some way. Of course, it's nonsense.

Terry did an M.A at Lancaster too, which inspired me somewhat!!

Okay, I'm a short story writer/novel writer (aspiring), but Terry BEGAN with poetry, so whoooooooooooooo!!! I too will take a screenwriting course.

M.A. Creative Writing Update

2010-06-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem two minutes since I started the course at Lancaster. It all began last October and I now find myself with just ten weeks left to get the novel finished, edited, edited again and again, polished, until at last the final draft is ready to be submitted on 1st September. Think Victor Meldrew: "I doooon't believe it."

But before that I have the pleasure of going for afternoon tea to the Lake District with the gals on the course. That's next Tuesday, and boy, am I going to enjoy those sandwiches, tea and cakes!!!!!

I'll keep you posted.

HAPPY EASTER!!

2010-04-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake!

2010-02-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

I had to share this, passed on by a very good friend, Quillers:

LINK TO QUILLERS' BLOG

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

What I Hope to Achieve in 2010 - Five Things

2010-01-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

Now here! Listen. These are the achievable things I WILL nail in this brand new shiny year.

1: Keep up with and finish the novel by September 2010, when it'll be due in for Uni assessment.

2: Analyse and break down novels and scripts to gain a better understanding of the processes.

3: Keep writing scripts.

4: Enter a few scriptwriting competitions and short story competitions to keep my hand in. You've got to be in it to win it, as they so rightly say.

5: Make myself pick up that pen every day, or tinker at the p.c. and write words every single day.

There you have it. Five things isn't over-facing. I think I may be able to stomach it. :-)

Blog TakeOver - Who, Me? I Live Here Don't I??

2010-01-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

I'm a character out of Antonia's book, but I'm sure I existed and lived here before her anyway.

My name is Joe. I'm blonde, with a hint of strawberry - shaggy hair, blue eyes, icy if you must know, and a mouth that doesn't turn down too much at the corners despite being thin.

I laugh a lot, am a wiry, lanky twenty-nine year old with a passion for Lowry paintings. Antonia reckons I like to think I'm Lowry, but I don't, I just like to think I can paint like him.

See, I never was good for much at school; I could draw, but only stick-like fashion, and sketches that created childish scenes. Then I discovered Lowry and saw that he'd made stick-drawing fashionable. So I practised didn't I? I practised all the time, until I made those stick figures a bit livelier, yes, with personalities of their own, even though their features became muted and bland and sometimes even featureless, yet retaining a semblance of a self.

I learnt how to draw a group of people so that it looked like they were one, and busy, and industrial or poignant in some way.

So, I aint the ghost of Lowry, see. I could paint you, Antonia, and fashion you into stick and merge you with a crowd like a giant colourful mural; you could be on a street somewhere in the north, tiny red hat perched on your head, brown woollen coat clutched about you, lacy red brolly perched on the end of a slim, bony wrist.

What? You are doing that right now?

See, I told you I lived here. It was me that made YOU!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T04:09:00.000-08:00

Best wishes for 2010. Art by Georgia.

I'm writing this now, because I won't see a pc until 1st Jan over on the other side. I'll write a list of 2009 Year Out achievements and 2010 Year In Goals, as soon as I can.

Mwah!

Blog Takeover Day x Two

2009-12-30T10:47:00.000-08:00

Remember the last Blog Takeover Day? Miss Havisham paid a visit.

BLOG TAKEOVER X ONE LINK HERE

See older posts for more.

Well it starts again on 1st January 2010. You can choose whoever you like to take over your Blog for the day, could be a character of yours, a famous character, or just anyone real or fictional.

If you can't start on the 1st, don't worry, start whenever you like.

For more info see Quiller's Place.

LINK HERE TO QUILLER'S PLACE

Twitter Play - Actress Kiki Kendrick Plays The Character I Wrote!

2009-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

Remember the Twitter radio play? Here's a reminder of when it all kicked off:

LINK TO MY PREVIOUS TWITTER PLAY BLOG POST.

Kiki Kendrick plays @fragharpy, or Francine Harpur when she aint Tweeting. They've recorded ALL of @fragharpy's tweets, and now on to the next four characters.

LINK TO KIKI KENDRICK'S WEBSITE.

Update here:

LINK TO RFM PLAY BLOG.

WOW!

Happy Christmas!!

2009-12-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

I'd just like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, and a Wonderful New Year 2010.

Hope you all get what you want from Santa. Eat drink and be merry!! May your stockings be full, and your bellies without griping pains.

Have your name immortalised in print by Kate Long

2009-11-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Read all about this fantastic charity: The Quintessentially Foundation supports charitable activity worldwide that improves the health, education and welfare of disadvantaged communities...LINK HERE

Novelist, Kate Long (writer of The Bad Mother's Handbook and more) will immortalise your name in her next novel. You need to be in it to win it, so go do your BIDDING!

BID HERE ON E BAY

Kate Long's Website: LINK HERE

Writers' Retreat - Criccieth

2009-11-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Criccieth tomorrow, yippee!! It's the writers' retreat, tied in with the Masters degree. We have to read a lot, write a lot, and take it in turns to cook once a week. I am so looking forward to this experience, though feel strangely nervous/excited. Hell, if I can move to Uni lock stock and barrel, I can do this little thing, eh?

I will report on my return.

Novel Talk

2009-10-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finding out more about the novel as I write it. I'm now doing a pov from Grandma's perspective. Her Granddaughter goes to visit Grandma often, and lets her talk about the old days.

I'm writing Grandma's memories in a kind of monologue at the moment, and I'm hoping that works. I say monologue because after an initial short para when Granddaughter goes round to Grandma's, the rest of it is Grandma talking about her memories.

The way I'm writing this novel now, with Grandma's monologues, I'm able to release information about things that might have played a part in making the MC behave the way she is. Of course, we can only rely on Grandma's memory of what took place, so that, in a sense, makes it unreliable, though still, hopefully, believable.

Hmmmm, Time - for New Novel

2009-10-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

I've written the first chapter! Or thereabouts. Now, because I'm submitting my novel extracts to the MA workshops, I have to have stuff in and ready, so I'm being MADE to write it.

This is good in some ways, yet I now find myself not knowing enough about the novel I now want to write. Or should I say enough about how the plot might evolve. So with that in mind, I plan to do a bit of planning over the weekend.

I'm going to miss out on subbing some work for next Thursday's workshop, which is fine to do every now and then. I do have something already subbed for next Tuesday's workshop, so while I think and plan I'm still going to get feedback on what I've already written. It'll just give me that bit of extra time to try to find meaning to what I'm writing, a shape or a form, might be a start. I also want to think a bit about story and character motivation.

New Novel

2009-10-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about what to write in a new novel. Over the last few years I've had a few novel ideas, started them, and always, enthusiasm for the idea has either petered out, or it hasn't seemed like the novel I really want to write.

I don't know why this is. I think I need to really look at what I want to say, at the style, content, genre. I want to think hard about this over the next week or so, because I could write this novel as part of my Creative Writing M.A.

I love reading about families, how they function, or not in some cases. It's a good idea to write about what you like reading about, I think. So...thinking...thinking...

University Blogging

2009-10-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

I've finally managed to open the elusive DOCx files. After spending far too many hours on trying all sorts of ways to open the documents, I finally downloaded File Format Converters.

It won't work with Internet Explorer, but it does work with Firefox. Now, I don't know if that's because of the UNI server, or what.

Anyway, I can finally open everyone's docs, which is good news. I didn't want to have to keep asking people to send me the old word doc files, or paste into the body of an e mail, which one kind student did for me.

I didn't want to have to go to the library either, not when I have my own pc and printer set up here in my flat. It really annoyed me, the thought of having to go to the library. I mean, I work three full days each week, too, so it's not as though I have all the time in the world.

Computer related stuff really does my head in sometimes, especially when I can't get things to work. But hey, I can now relax in the knowledge that I CAN OPEN ANY DOCUMENTS I LIKE!!!

University Blogging cont...

2009-10-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Had my second workshop on Thursday. Very good! I was a tad confused about which students were submitting work on which days. See, Tuesdays we have workshops with both full-time students and part-time students. Thursdays it's just for full-timers. Part-timers, plus one of the full-time students (to make up the numbers) were asked to submit their work on Wednesday.

I was under the impression that the full-timers didn't have to read and critique the part-timers' work, but we do. To add to that, the full-timers who have a workshop on Thursdays, have to submit their work on-line by lunchtime Friday, ready for the following week's Thursday workshop. I work Fridays, so had to get it in on Thursday evening at the latest. With me so far? No, I'm not surprised.

The worst bit is that I couldn't open quite a few of the docs that had been submitted, as they were in Docx format, apparently the latest in Word.

Anyway, I e-mailed to say I was having problems and some of the students have re-submitted to me in the 'old' Word doc format, but some haven't yet got back to me. I have to have six critiques ready for Tuesday morning. I work all day Monday, so that leaves, just Sunday. Sigh.

University Blogging - First Workshop

2009-10-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

I've had my first workshop! It went really well, and I'm going to love it! Even managed to write something and read it out. It was interesting to get a flavour of what the workshops will entail. We studied a photograph and wrote our own take on the pic, from either the person in the photo or the person taking the photo, or any other way you liked.

I could not believe that three of us were late for the FIRST EVER WORKSHOP!! We were told Meeting Room One. I followed the signs to Seminar Room One. They're one and the same, right? WRONG! Three forlorn students stood outside this room for five minutes. One of the students then said something about engineering. I looked at the guy standing across from me. I'd seen him at the welcome meeting so knew he was part of my group. "Erm, aren't you in creative writing?" I asked the other guy. He said, "Nope, engineering."

We hot-footed it up the stairs, where we found yet another of our brood (also late) and found MEETING ROOM ONE, the class already underway. Luckily for us the tutor was very understanding. Still, I felt very silly and stupid. What's the motto? Research your venue!

Later, I'm going to my first lecture, 5 pm until 6 pm: The Writing as Practice Lectures (inc Plaigiarism) with George Green.

There's Friday lectures too, 12 until 1 pm. But sadly, it's a working day for me, so I'll miss them, unless I'm on annual leave or flexi day, then I'll try to catch the odd one.

But, it's underway folks. Uni life really has begun. Here. Right now.

University Blogging - The Accommodation

2009-10-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

Did I mention our accommodation at Uni? No? Okay, well, do you know, I'm pleasantly surprised. I thought it was going to be much scruffier, with ancient fixtures and fittings, but no, it's very clean and modern. Having said that, this particular flat and block, and the few blocks adjoining are just over a year old.

We struck lucky I think, because the part of the Uni I initially requested to be housed in, is quite a long way from where my workshops are held, and further away from the main body of the Uni, and the inner spine which seems to lead to everywhere once you get used to it.

We arrived on the Saturday, found the porter's lodge with the help of a nice young girl in a blue 'helper' tee shirt. We got the keys, went up a few flights, opened the door...there was a surprisingly large double bedroom, with wet room en suite. Another door...da da! The living space, which if I'm totally honest threw me for a minute. I was looking for another door that might lead to a larger area...hmmmm...it is quite small, but it has a two seater settee, desk where the tv stands, and under-ped, another desk for pc and a kitchen area.

The flat has all mod cons, ya know, like toaster, microwave, iron, a cupboard out in the hallway that houses a mop and bucket, an ironing board (not used one of those for yonks) oven, hob.

Overall, once we'd got used to the small living area, it's a loveley flat. Do I detect a hint of optimism here in my scribblings? Am I almost saying I feel comfortable and fine with it all?

Not quite. Not yet. But I feel in my bones that day might come.

University Blogging

2009-10-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

Well, Freshers' Week is coming to a close. Not that I've had an awful lot of involvement in it, just that it will be good to get into a routine, as I'm sure some of the other students would agree.

I'm also back to work next week, so it's work three days, workshops at Uni for two days, plus homework, peer critiques, reflective pieces, etc etc. Added to that, I have an interview for a new job next Thursday afternoon, which kind of interferes with one of the first-week workshops. Damn and blast! I will work around it somehow, as this new job would be better pay and a higher grade, so yes, I do want it. It's more my cup of tea, too. For the moment, Project Team Member sounds good to me, honey-pies.

I have my youngest daughter and Granddaughter coming to stay on Saturday night, so I'm looking forward to seeing them. I may take them for a Uni pizza, let Granddaughter see a different slice of life. Who knows, maybe she'll want some of this for herself, later on in life.

More University Blogging

2009-10-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hey! I've now got my library card, my purple card, & a Uni parking permit is in the offing for hubby.

I can find my way to the Porter's lodge, the bank, the medical centre, the library, the security lodge, all cafes and restaurants (yum) and, ahem, all of the bars. Not that I frequent such places, la la la la....so...I have no idea where my first workshop will be held next week! Oh yes I have, it's right across from my flat, so that is VERY good news.

I'm feeling much better about the whole move. Did I say how i really felt at the beginning? No? I think I was scared to...and SCARED is the operative word, because that's exactly how i've felt, really, about everything.

Honestly, slap my wrists please. It felt like the first day at infants...no, that's not true, because I actually can't remember the first day. What I do remember is the very large E I wrote on a piece of paper when it should have been a very small e. It covered the whole page, and I felt very scared.

University Blogging

2009-09-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

I must say I was very impressed with the registration arrangements at Uni today. I strolled into the library, was directed upstairs, asked if I was a Graduate, then shown to a very small queue, seated at a table, spoken to, and I.D checked, then shown to another table where a lady took my photo with a camera situated on her desk, and I was given a library card there and then (breath). Great!

University Blogging

2009-09-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am at Uni! Can't believe I took the plunge and moved on campus, along with hubby.

I arrived Saturday 26th September. We're in family flats, and they're only a year old, so are quite nice and modern, though small. Yesterday, I had the welcome lunch with the rest of the Creative Writing MA students, which was nice, getting to know the people I'll be spending creative time with over the coming twelve months.

We have a residential to look forward to at the beginning of November. A full week at the National Writers' Centre for Wales, at Ty Newydd.

LINK TO TY NEWYDD

How we get there is a different matter, as apparently from Lancaster it takes around eight hours on the train! Hope one of the other students is driving and I can car-share, or, maybe a few of us can hire a mini-bus or something.

But it's all new and exciting, if not a bit daunting.

Will Blog more later.

CBBC Comp - Writersroom Final Selection for Residential

2009-09-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

LINK TO WRITERSROOM HERE

These writers must have IT. Well done to them all.

Halfway through Story

2009-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'v written over half of a Christmas story. Hoping to finish over the weekend and get it off to a mag. NOW is the time to send them Christmas stories.

Nice Little Cheque For Mag Filler

2009-09-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

In May 2009, I sent a small filler to Prima Mag: My words followed the sentence: You know you're getting old when...

I found the call for these fillers on my mate Kath's WOMAG Blog:

LINK TO WOMAG'S BLOG

Honestly, it was two lines long, so I'm quite chuffed to have received Twenty-five pounds. Well, we are in a recession, ya know!

Yay - Written Beginning of Story

2009-09-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

So, I said I'd record my progress here. Well, I managed to write notes, and a basic story outline. Wrote the first bit tonight. Pleased as punch. I can only expand on this great start. Tomorrow? More of the same.

Need a Kick up the Backside

2009-08-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

I really do need a swift kick. Just lately, I've been lax with my writing. I either haven't felt like it, or am too tired, or can't be bothered...you know, the usual suspects.

Anyway, to make it more real, and to motivate myself, I'm ANNOUNCING on here that I will write SOMETHING every day for the next seven days. I will also chart how I'm doing with it...ON HERE! There!

Miss Havisham - My Final Words - AND DID YOU KNOW?

2009-08-11T13:38:00.001-07:00

My final words were to Pip, after he saved me from the fire:

"Take the pencil and write under my name, 'I forgive her!'"

But still I died, weeks later, and Estella became my chief beneficiary.

AND DID YOU KNOW? The condition "The Miss Havisham effect" has been coined by scientists to describe a person who suffers a painful longing for lost love, which can become a physically addictive pleasure by activation of reward and pleasure centers in the brain, which have been identified to regulate addictive behavior - regions commonly known to be responsible for craving and drug, alcohol and gambling addiction.

*The above is referenced on Wikipedia*

Adieu....

Miss Havisham - Film Adaptations of Great Expectations - Who Played Me?

2009-08-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

+ Martita Hunt (1946)

+ Margaret Leighton (1974)

+ Joan Hickson (1981)

+ Jean Simmons (who had previously played Estella in 1946 opposite Hunt) (1989)

+ Anne Bancroft (1998)

+ Charlotte Rampling (1999)

If I could have, I would have played myself...just because I enjoyed the misery and mayhem that I caused, because of what had been done to me...though secretly, I wished for a happy ending...

'Believe this: when she first came to me, I meant to save her from misery like my own. At first I meant no more. But as she grew, and promised to be very beautiful, I gradually did worse, and with my praises, and with my jewels, and with my teachings, and with this figure of myself always before her a warning to back and point my lessons, I stole her heart away and put ice in its place.'

AND THEN: TO PIP:

"Until you spoke to Estella the other day, and until I saw in you a looking-glass that showed me what I once felt myself, I did not know what I had done. What have I done! What have I done!"

Miss Havisham - What They say about Me!

2009-08-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

I've been called some things in my time, and though I wasn't around when the general public spoke so much about me, here is some of what I now know people thought about me. You find out so much after you've left this world you know...

I've been called strange, grotesque, the wicked witch in the fairytale, passionate, proud, beautiful, headstrong, vengeful, a cross between a waxwork and a skeleton.

And do you know? They're all true.

They say I trained and used Estella to avenge society. No, I did not teach Estella to love, and there was, deep within her, something that responded to emotional fury. But was it society I wanted to strike at? No, it was myself.

I had power in the form of wealth. A spinster living in a run-down mansion with my adopted daughter, Estella. Did I use wealth to manipulate others to do as I wished? Why yes, I did. I used as I had been used.

Did being jilted at the altar ruin my life? Why, yes, it did.

Miss Havisham - a bit about what THEY said

2009-08-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Herbert Pocket speaking to Pip:

'The marriage day was fixed, the wedding dresses were bought, the wedding tour was planned out, the wedding guests were invited. The day came, but not the bridegroom. He wrote her a letter —'

`Which she received,' I struck in, `when she was dressing for her marriage? At twenty minutes to nine?'

`At the hour and minute,' said Herbert, nodding, `at which she afterwards stopped all the clocks. What was in it, further than that it most heartlessly broke the marriage off, I can't tell you, because I don't know. When she recovered from a bad illness that she had, she laid the whole place to waste, as you have seen it, and she has never since looked upon the light of day.'

`Is that all the story?' I asked, after considering it.

`All I know of it; and indeed I only know so much, through piecing it out for myself; for my father always avoids it, and, even when Miss Havisham invited me to go there, told me no more of it than it was absolutely requisite I should understand. But I have forgotten one thing. It has been supposed that the man to whom she gave her misplaced confidence, acted throughout in concert with her half-brother; that it was a conspiracy between them; and that they shared the profits.'

`I wonder he didn't marry her and get all the property,' said I.

`He may have been married already, and her cruel mortification may have been a part of her half-brother's scheme,' said Herbert. `Mind! I don't know that.'

`What became of the two men ? ' I asked, after again considering the subject.

`They fell into deeper shame and degradation — if there can be deeper — and ruin.'

`Are they alive now?'

`I don't know.'

Miss Havisham - What I said to Pip

2009-08-11T12:46:00.000-07:00

`What do you think that is?' I asked Pip, again pointing with my stick; `that, where those cobwebs are?'

`I can't guess what it is, ma'am.'

`It's a great cake. A bride-cake. Mine!'

Blog Takeover Day - By Miss Havisham

2009-08-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

How tragically pathetic I look...though there's a certain beautiful longing there, don't you think?

LINK TO QUILLER'S PLACE - THE INSPIRATION BEHIND BLOG TAKEOVER DAY

My Story is in 15th August Issue of My Weekly

2009-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

My story is due to be published in the 15th August issue of My Weekly. It's called Sweet Taste of Success - not the original title, which was Two Shining Stars.

I'm chuffed they bought it, and liked it. All my friends and family can scoot off and buy a copy. I've only sent them one more story since they accepted this one, and that's been due to a lack of time, more than anything else. I WILL write more, and my next offering is going to be a pocket novel for My Weekly, so fingers crossed for that!!

I did mean to start it today at lunchtime, but didn't get round to it. Too much Caffe Nero coffee!!

Holidays Here I Come!!

2009-08-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Off for a well-earned holiday tomorrow, back Friday. Yes, you heard it here first...to the coast I travel...oh, the spangled glitter and razzmatazz of Southport.

Be good while I'm away, y'hear...

CBBC Shortlist Names & Script Titles

2009-07-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone is interested, here are the names of those shortlisted for the CBBC comp, and the lovely, interesting titles. A bit about the Masterclass, too:

WRITERSROOM LINK

CBBC - Link to Writersroom Blog About Recent Comp

2009-07-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

Paul Ashton says: "We did receive a fair proportion of scripts that showed promising writing and writers - but that just didn't really connect with the brief and the potential audience. In fact, we received a lot of scripts in general that didn't have central characters below the age of 12, that were unsuitable for a 6-12 audience, that weren't particularly imagined and told from the child's point of view. We also received a lot of scripts covering very similar precincts and ideas. For example, school - first day of school, bullying at school, geeks at school, weird conspiracy/sci-fi/alien/monster at school. We had a lot of portals into other dimensions, plenty of time travel, a fair few goblins/monsters/aliens."

MORE HERE:

WRITERSROOM CBBC BLOG LINK

Look Who's Being Commissioned!!

2009-07-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

BROADCAST COMMISSIONING LINK

Who is buying WHAT??

Do you Outline or Not?

2009-07-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

I was looking over at Scott Myers' BLOG, which always fascinates me. He's discussing outlines, and links to a post he wrote a while back: LINK HERE TO HOW PAUL SCHRADER OUTLINES, THEN RE-OUTLINES

Personally, I tend to write lots of notes about my idea, then write a short story of sorts, and then start the script. Sometimes, I don't need to refer to my notes, because the actual writing of the notes, then the story, has fixed things firmly in my mind, and I then feel free to write it in script form.

HOW ABOUT YOU??

Writing Neuroses ... mine are rare, yours may be legion

2009-07-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

Writing Neuroses ... mine are rare, yours may be legion LINK

I loved this post when i read it on Kay Sexton's Blog, which I discovered through a link on my mate Quillers' Blog. LINK TO QUILLERS' BLOG

CBBC - Well done to the Twenty - On to the Next Thing

2009-07-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

I didn't hear anything from CBBC, so I'll take it that my script didn't get to a second reading, though I know two people whose scripts DID make it through to a second read, so WELL DONE to: LINK TO BANG2WRITE'S BLOG AND: SOFLUID'S BLOG

ALSO, there's mention of MATT SINCLAIR who DID make it through: LINK TO JEZ FREEDMAN'S BLOG

Well done to the above writers, and onwards and upwards onto the next project. I mean, there were over 700 entries, so that's absolutely brilliant to have made a second reading.

I'm thinking about what to write next, and my idea that I mentioned earlier, is still fermenting, so, that's the objective for today - think some more, start with notes, take it forward.

CCBC - Anyone Heard Anything?

2009-07-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

The suspense is killing me!! I feel all jittery and strange. Hope that's a good omen.

I know on one bit of the Writersroom rules it said: Will hear BY Friday, then somewhere else it said bluntly: Will hear ON Friday.

Come on! Get in there!

That's a cheer for ALL OF US!

New Idea

2009-07-06T04:29:00.001-07:00

I have an idea for my next project. It's a tv drama, but veering towards comedy/drama, so maybe a black comedy? Heck, I dunno.

Anyhow, I have the idea, though not yet written notes, which is always my first job. But it got me thinking...do I know what i'm going to do with this at the end? I always like to be working towards something, writing to some purpose. So, first off, I'm going to scout around some of the deadlines calendars, and seek out an opportunity. Once I've found something that might be suitable to send the script to, I shall begin my noterly scribbles.

CBBC - Over 700 Entries to the Comp

2009-07-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

WRITERSROOM CBBC LINK

Wow! That's a LOT of entries. If we, fellow Bloggers, get through to the shortlist, we deserve a very big pat on the back. That is a large amount of scripts to sift and sort, but hope still reigns supreme.

CBBC Script Finished & Ready To Go!!

2009-06-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

All I can say is Phew!

I have to thank Michelle (Sofluid) MICHELLE'S BLOG and Paul PAUL's BLOG for crtiquing my first draft. The critiques were enormously helpful and I then embarked on a re-write. I ditched some of it, added to it and overhauled a lot of it.

I now think the script reads like an action packed, children's tv script, rather than a story that lacked oomph.

Anyway, it's bagged and tagged and ready to go to the BBC tomorrow morning. It's cutting it fine, but it should get there.

Hope one of us is successful.

CBBC Q & A From BBC Writersroom

2009-06-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely invaluable!!

BBC WRITERSROOM Q & A LINK

CBBC - First Draft Finished!

2009-06-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

It's late, but I had to post that I've finished the first draft. It's been quite hard going today, but worth it.

I'm pleased with it, although it needs tweaking and a good going over, to check facts, and edit, edit, edit, then I may just have a decent script to send in to the comp.

Yowzers!

CBBC - Over Halfway There...ribbon in sight...

2009-06-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling better about this project. I'm really into the flow now, and am over halfway there. More writing tonight, then once finished, tidy up and chip away at unnecessary evils.

Writing for children isn't as easy as it sounds. You have to first of all think about the budget, amount of lines children can cope with, fitting adult scenes in to break it all up, speak from a child's point of view, have plenty of action and less dialogue. Yes, it's not at all easy, but then, if it was, we wouldn't need to work on our scripts like we do, and really, that's half the fun, or angst, whichever way you look at it. Bit of both for me, actually.

I read some useful info from fellow Bloggers about the CBBC Q & A session held recently in London, so here are the links to those posts & those brilliant Blogs:

LINK TO SOFLUID (Michelle's) CBBC Q & A BLOG POST.

LINK TO NEIL BAKER'S CBBC Q & A BLOG POST

LINK TO KATIE MCCULLOUGH'S CBBC Q & A BLOG POST

CBBC - Deadline Looming

2009-06-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

I really am trying, I am! I keep going off on tangents, creating new ideas, making things so much more difficult than they should be. Or am I? Isn't it meant to be difficult anyway, this process of putting ideas and characters into a readable, gripping format??

I'm nowhere near finished, but I do like working this way, with not much time left. It kind of forces me to keep on, to make sure I puff and pant my way to the winning post, break the ribbon, shout Hurrah!

Just letting you know, I am trying.

CCB Script - So Far So Good

2009-06-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I've started proper. I scribbled an outline, filled it in a bit, then started thinking about characters - who they are, what they like etc. I've now started writing the body, and have been offered a script exchange with Sofluid, so that's given me the impetus to get it right, because somebody will be having a look at it. Yeah!

Brussels Film Festival - Film Story Competition

2009-06-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I saw the link for this on BBC Writersroom, promptly posted it on Twitter, then somebody informed me that the deadline was next day (today - Friday). Must pay more attention in future. Of course, I didn't have time to write anything new, but seeing as they seemed to be looking for a story premise rather than a fully fledged script, I sorted through my story files and sent two to them last night.

The prize is a free place on a Script Factory course of your choice. That would be quite nice.

I don't think I'll have a chance, but hey, at least I sent something, and you never know.

Newsjack - BBC New Topical Sketch Show

2009-06-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

It's open to everyone to write for. Newsjack takes a comical look at the week's news stories.

Check out the BBC Writersroom Link below

LINK TO THIS OPPORTUNITY AT BBC WRITERSROOM

Meet Head of CBBC in London Re: CBBC Script Opportunity

2009-06-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

To tie in with the launch of the CBBC New Writers competition to find exciting new writers for Children's Drama, BBC writersroom is proud to present the new head of CBBC Drama Steven Andrew in conversation with Kate Rowland.

BBC WRITERSROOM LINK

Know Any Young Fiction Writers?

2009-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a fiction writing comp for ages eight to eighteen:

LINK TO YOUNG FICTION WRITER COMP

Credit to Womagwriter, on whose Blog I found the link: LINK TO WOMAGWRITER'S BLOG

Script Call for UK Horror Film

2009-05-30T04:49:00.000-07:00

Found this on Danny Stack's brilliant site:

LINK

Lancaster University - MA - Open Day

2009-05-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today, I attended the open day for the MA in Creative Writing:

Just got back. Phew! I stupidly wore boots with heels (why did I??) and by then end of the campus tour I was hobbling like a good un.

It was great, very informative, with some distance MA students and some campus based MA students. One lady from Dublin, who is taking the distance course, a lady from Liverpool, also on the distance course, and a lady from Coventry who will be living there like me. There was a youngish bloke who is finishing his undergraduate course in English & Creative Writing. There are also overseas students who were unable to make it today.

Graham Mort who is one of the distance learning tutors was there and a few others, like Pete Farley, who is a campus based tutor.

We had a buffet and coffee to start, listened to what the course will involve, then listened to existing students. Tour round campus, back for a Q & A session, where I found that two thirds of applicants were turned down for the course. There'll be ten to twelve students in the group. In November, we will be going on a residential intensive writing course for a week, either at Lumb Bank or Cardigan Bay!

I'm very excited and drained (because of the hobbling) and looking forward to the whole experience.

CBBC Children's Drama Opportunity

2009-05-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

This is what it says on the Writersroom Opportunities page:

Do you have stories to tell that we've never seen before?
Can you create characters the audience will fall in love with?

We want to find the next generation of CBBC writers with fresh perspectives, original voices, and the ability to create unforgettable characters.

This opportunity is open to any writer who wants to write Children's drama for the 6-12 age range. We are looking for 30-minute original TV scripts of unmissable and infectious storytelling, offering fresh cultural perspectives, tales combining authenticity with hope and joy, stories from a child's point of view, characters that will engage and surprise the audience, scripts that are powerful, emotional, and contemporary, shows that will work for the CBBC audience and channel but can dare to take risks.

READ THE REST HERE: LINK

I have an idea for this. It's slowly germinating, so I'm not going to rush into writing it just yet, but will spend some thinking time on the project. Most, well okay, some, of the story is there, lurking, but it's the how's and when's that I need to get straight.

Don't you just love it when the idea hits, and you can't stop mulling it over?

The Final Tweet

2009-05-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

The last Tweep has Twittered. We've said our farewells, & promised to meet again if the opportunity arises, just like real people would do. It's been an absolute blast being part of the RFM Twitter Play. We've had great support & much well-wishing along the way, which always helps.

Next step is to listen to the play on radio after editing (shuffling of Tweets rather than deleting words), casting, then actors through to radio waves and on to the listener.

Can't Wait!

Countdown - Twitter Play - Four Days Left

2009-05-05T09:04:00.000-07:00

I was thinking today about the image I had of Francine Harpur before I started writing her character. I didn't know her name before I got the gig, but knew the short character bio.

I had a picture in my mind, what she loked like, how she would 'speak' but it wasn't until I started writing her that her character evolved into something else. Of course, because she's responding to the other five characters, this has played a part in shaping her.

She felt posh, a bit removed from normal life (whatever normal is) but, compassionate, generous, materialistic, dotty, living in her big house in Islington, surrounded by all the trappings, by the world of Fragrance Design, by expensive bottles of champagne.

And, of course, she had to have conflict somewhere in her life, and the main source of conflict is Florrie (love that name - will call my new pup that when I get her).

The whole thing feels like a tragicomedy, and it'll be very interesting to see what comes out of it and what it's shaped into.

Five Days Left To Tweet

2009-05-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

It's going so quickly! I can hardly believe we started Tweeting for the Twitter play, seven days ago. I think we're all really into character now. Strangely, it's become quite easy to rattle off fragharpy's thoughts & dreams & lifestyle. Or maybe I should say worryingly!!

Whatever, it's a unique experience for me, & one that I would glady repeat if ever I got the chance.

Tweet Play - Day Five

2009-05-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a roller-coaster five days! One week to go. The characters are such an eclectic mix that if we were 'REAL' people, I'm not sure we'd click the 'FOLLOW' button to become better acquainted.

I feel that my character, fragharpy, indomitable spirit that she is, is becoming ever so slightly less zestful. And there are two reasons for this. The first reason is that she, like the other five characters, only Follows five Tweeters. They're not all as bouncy & brimming with good fortune as our fragharpy. Nay, could she allow herself to become a little disillusioned?

The second reason she may be distancing herself from some of the characters is because she can't deal with/doesn't understand their bluntness, or lack of frivolity, apart from the dead one, Sidebird, who's having a ball on the other side. It'll be interesting to see how we all develop during the coming week.

Twittering Heck - Third Day

2009-04-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

I work during the day apart from Mondays, and I've all next week off, on annual leave...YEAH! So...I've come straight home from work & donned the flighty Francine's (fragharpy's) skin for yet another evening's Twitterooo. Surprising how easy it is to get straight into character, especially as all the other characters are interacting & helping shape one another. I like when they ask the RIGHT kind of questions!

Tweeting - Twitter Play Second Day

2009-04-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

I think things are shaping up...characters are coming to life in Real Time. It's strange, it's weird, but it's quite exhilarating. You can see that people are thinking on their feet, they're having to.

Mini sub-plots are forming, Spidery tangents are webbing together in intricate formation. There's also a lot of random stuff, and that's the way Twitter works.

So far, I'm loving it...

Twitter News - I Play Character B!

2009-04-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of nonsensical Tweeting on Twitter, I'm pleased & proud to say that I'm one of the chosen writers to write the part of Francine Harpur, a London based fragrance designer & freelance 'nose'. Lasting for two weeks, it all kicked off today, & so far it's going really well. I find myself 'being' this character & have imagined Lisa Goddard's character (remember the lovely Lisa?) in ITV's 'Yes Honestly' to be quite similar to Francine.

Follow my updates if you like: see the 'Follow Me' link under fragharpy on this Blog sidebar. I'm also on Twitter as my 'real' ID, Antoniablue, but have suspended the 'Follow' tag on this name for now.

It's going to be fun, a blast, a real experience.

Will update about its progress by the day.

I Was Able to Change the 'About Me' Section!

2009-04-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

...From "Hoping to become a full time MA Creative Writing student with Lancaster University..." TO...Well, see for yourself!

Yes! Lancaster University Here I Come!

2009-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Had word today that I've been offered a place on the MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster. I am so, so, pleased. I start in October 2009, and will Blog about the whole experience.

How's that song go? This could be the start of something good!!!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hope you all have a great time this Easter, whether you're DOING stuff, or just lounging the holiday away.

Some Easter facts and non-facts:

A child born on Good Friday and baptised on Easter Sunday has the gift of healing.

Many fishermen will not set out for catch on Good Friday.

Bread or cakes baked on this day will not go mouldy.

Eggs laid on Good Friday will never go bad.

The planting of crops is not advised on this day, as an old belief says that no iron should enter the ground (i.e. spade, fork etc.).

Hot cross buns baked on Good Friday were supposed to have magical powers. It is said that you could keep a hot cross bun which had been made on Good Friday for at least a year and it wouldn't go mouldy.

Hardened old hot cross buns are supposed to protect the house from fire

Sailors took hot cross buns to sea with them to prevent shipwreck.

A bun baked on Good Friday and left to get hard could be grated up and put in some warm milk to stop an upset tummy.

Having a hair cut on Good Friday will prevent toothaches the rest of the year.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Wouldn't you know it, all the hairdressers are on holiday! Ouch! That rotten molar!

Trailer For Duncan Jones's MOON Film

2009-04-10T04:49:00.000-07:00

Must Watch: Phenomenal Trailer for Duncan Jones's Moon! It looks really good.

LINK TO MOON FILM

Reasons to be Tweeting...one...two...three...

2009-04-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

RESONANCE FM link @ BBC WRITERSROOM.

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Twitteroooooooooo

2009-04-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm finally Tweeting on Twitter. You can follow me by clicking the Follow Me link on the right hand side of this Blog.

It's an experience...unusual...exhilarating...informative...crazily ubelieveably mad as a hatter...Alice in Wonderland...and I feel like I'm through the looking glass...

Eastenders - The Danielle Episode!

2009-04-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

EASTENDERS - SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAPED THE SHOW OR SUMMAT!

I've loved the whole Danielle/Ronnie storyline, but to be frank, I was getting a little bit tired of the will she tell, won't she tell dragging-it-out scenario. Yes, it was great each time she almost told Ronnie: "You're. My. Mother!" Archie lied his socks off saying he'd told Ronnie, then he hadn't, then he had. So frightened was he that Ronnie would find out that he lied about Danielle having died years ago, that he was prepared to KILL Danielle. I thought that showed the measure of our Archie, really, really well.

So, I was pleased when the biggie finally happened. I thought the dramatic writing was excellent, the acting superb, the directing wonderful. That wedding reception in a transformed Vic, was so realistic, from the background soothing music, to Billy and his attempt at a best-man speech.

I almost sobbed when Ronnie chased after Danielle, and said: "Baby." Wow. The car accident was realistic, and I found myself screeching at the screen: "NO! NO! NO!" God, I wanted that girl to live.

Or did I?

What would the aftermath have been like if she'd lived? Okay, she could have been in a coma for a while. We could have watched as Ronnie tootled along to the orspital with flowers and tears. Would that have been dragging it out again? Yes, I think so. What then? Wake from the coma? Saunter into the sunset hand in hand?

But what about the dramatic conflict?

What about Ronnie's character? She's cold, vulnerable underneath it all, damaged goods, and that's what I LIKE about her.

If she'd lived and Ronnie and Danielle had attempted some kind of relationship, it would have had to have gone wrong, or not live up to expectations, or SOMETHING, because where's the drama in that? Where's our wounded Ronnie?

Happy endings? Yes, sometimes, and there are plenty on tv, some in Eastenders too, though they tend not to remain happy for long - or they aren't without their conflicts. But that's Eastenders, and if you look at most of the other British soaps, they're exactly the same.

Take Coronation Street: We have alcoholic Peter Barlow, Steve and Becky's wedding gone wrong, dastardly David Platt who once tried to murder his mother, and much, much more. But Coronation Street is a gentler soap, for all that conflict. It just is. And there's more comedy in the Street. In Eastenders there's more dramatic tension, but there's irony there, black humour. I love it.

More on this later.

A Bit of Good News

2009-03-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that I've just sold a story to My Weekly magazine.

I've previously had a bit of story-selling success with The Weekly News, but this is the first magazine I've sold a story to. As soon as I got the e mail yesterday, I wrote another! Needs tweaking and all that, but I'll be sending that one soon, and hoping for a second hit. It all counts and it really fires me up, having some small success. Makes me want to keep on writing those stories. Short stories are brilliant for making you tighten up your story, with beginning, middle and end. Good practise for me now that my sights are set on radio or tv drama, or maybe even theatre.

Change Of Plan

2009-03-23T15:16:00.001-07:00

I've done this before, changed my mind about what I'm going to work on. In the post below, I said I was going to work on a spec tv series, but I just wrote a short story, and it's given me an idea for either a radio play, or perhaps five fifteen minute related stories that might be suitable for radio.

Sigh...I just have to go with what feels more important, and the radio thing does for some reason.

Next Project: TV Spec Series

2009-03-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

I have the idea, and have already written a brief first episode outline. I heard somewhere on the blogoshpere that it's best to write what you're passionate about, what fires you. I've always done that, really, though knowing why something fires you like it does, is another mystery. People say write what you know, which I think is correct, but it doesn't have to be know as in, you write about an alcoholic, so you should have had an experience of, or with an alcoholic. Not necessarily, say I.

We've (probably) all seen an alcoholic, so we know how they behave, even if we've only seen one on film. We know emotion like love and hate and greed and lust etc, so we put what we know of those experiences (and others) into everything we write, and that, to me, is writing what you know.

Anyway, I'm quite excited about this series idea. I'm going to get it all down, do some character studies, then write the first spec episode. If there's a comp out there, I'll send it in. if not, I'll send it to BBC Writersroom.

Age Matters?

2009-03-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

Does it heck!

There are a few conversations happening at the moment on various Blogs, about this very subject. An editor has apparently said that she wouldn't take on a new writer over the age of thirty-five!!! What? Is she living in cloud cuckoo land my dears? There are more older people than there are young - and that's rising my friends.

Writing transcends age. I bet a good writer could write a piece and nobody would be able to tell if that person is twenty five or sixty five. Now I could begin to say that mature people have more life experience, more mulled maturity, therefore are richer writers, but I won't, because to me it don't matter a fig. And a great big SADDO to those to whom it does matter.

Ha Ha ha ha Ha ha ha!!!!!!...

2009-02-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

...That's what I hope they'll do when they read the three sketches I've just e mailed to 7 on 7, the BBC sketch competition. Somehow, I doubt it. It's not that I haven't any confidence in my ability to write a sketch, just that comedy is so subjective isn't it?

I watched a video of a short sketch, on a Blog the other day, supposed to be funny, but I couldn't see anything funny about it at all. To me, it was completely and utterly puerile.

There are some good sketches on tv (to my mind) that I can laugh at, but some leave me cold. I wonder how mine will leave the readers...stone cold, luke warm, or red hot??

We'll see.

Ill tell you what made me laugh out loud all the way through: Jerry Springer The Opera. I didn't see it live, just on tv, but it was the funniest thing...

So...You Can Write Can You?

2009-02-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

This post is prompted by a conversation over at Helen's Blog.

Now, it's true that many people, when confronted with the fact you're a writer, will say THEY too CAN write, or SHOULD write, or WOULD write...but...and the conversation over at Helen's Blog is going to be really funny and witty.

But what I find, is that people always want you to spell out (metaphorically speaking) what you've written. I don't know about you, but I hate doing that! I can never explain it properly in words, to non-writers, or even writers if I'm honest. Gawd, I'll have to improve if I'm ever going to pitch at some stage. It always ends up sounding so lame (to my ears) and I forget what the heck I've written and why.

Then you get the IDEAS person, who can't wait for you to finish your ramblings so they can tell you their much BETTER idea.

No wonder I tend not to tell people I write, because they keep asking you how you're doing..nothing published yet?...or...how long have you been writing?...when you tell them a number of years, they gasp and can't understand how you haven't MADE it yet...Grrr.

The worst experience for me was with the woman who runs the local Post Office. I handed over a M.S to be posted and she looked at the address, asked me what I'd written, then what else I'd written and told me I'd probably end up as successful as J.K. I mean, this from a woman who hasn't read any of my stuff...unless she sneaked a look-see. But how can I live up to her expectations???

Theatre Play Or Radio Play?

2009-02-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

I finished the second radio play for the Alfred Bradley Award, and thought I would try writing a theatre play for The Fringe Marriott comp. Anyway, as I started writing, I realised my new scribblings had to be written in radio play format.

So I've written ANOTHER radio play, though I might adapt it for theatre, so I have both formats.

Where to send the new radio play? It's shorter than the previous two, running at about thirty minutes. I can either expand it and send it into Writersroom (though I have one aleady in the hands of Writersroom, so will wait to see what happens with that) or send it to a different comp, though can't find any other radio comps at the moment.

I think I'll adapt for theatre and get it off to the Fringe Marriott, then I can always send it as a radio play, somewhere, at some point.

I really enjoyed writing this latest play, and it's very different to the last two. I'm enjoying experimenting with structure and language.

With my previous plays, I've tended to go the traditional route, straightforward story-telling, A to B kind of thing, But this latest play is a bit different, in that there's a flashback scene and quite a bit of inner thought from characters.

It's only by trying new things out that you find YOUR way, or the right way for a particular play, I suppose.

If anyone knows of a radio play competition besides the Alfred Bradley, or 7 ON 7comedy sketch comp, let me know.

Playwriting Competition - The Windsor Fringe Marriott Award

2009-02-09T16:06:00.001-08:00

Cancel what I said about starting a spec script for tv. I'm going to try and write a theatre play for this competition:

The Windsor Fringe Marriott Award LINK TO BBC WRITERSROOM.

Deadline: 5th March 2009.

I have the idea...

Second Entry To Alfred Bradley Now Finished!

2009-02-09T14:15:00.001-08:00

Great! I've finally finished the second entry, and it's sitting in a brown envelope waiting to be posted. I'll send it tomorrow.

I've enjoyed writing this one very much, and prefer it to my first entry. I must admit, editing, and then checking for errors, and checking again, did my little nut in, though I'm glad I was so thorough because I found one or two glaring holes.

Good luck to anyone who's entered, and let's hope one of us at least, will be cracking open the champagne, come May. I'll crack open a bottle in April, if I'm shortlisted.

Being Human - BBC 3 TV

2009-02-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Anyone watched this yet? I missed the first couple of episodes, but caught it tonight after hearing good things about it.

I'm so glad I watched it. It's a kind of modern-day vampire/werewolf/ghost story, with lots of human elements for the not so human cast. I think that's why it works. A comedy/drama that follows the lives of a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost, all living in a house together. What a great idea.

There are, or have been lots of other-wordly type tv shows. When people say don't try to copy or write something that's gone beore, they don't necessarily mean don't write ABOUT those types of things, rather, just give your story and characters a new and unique slant. This is other-wordly, set in OUR world, so we have the ordinaryness of everyday life, with an extraordinary side to it.

Gripping tv.

If you want to watch catch-up episodes courtesey of the BBC, click on the LINK below:

BBC iPLAYER LINK.

EPISODE 1 SCRIPT, courtesy of the BBC LINK BELOW:

EPISODE ONE LINK.

Update On Second Entry To Alfred Bradley Comp

2009-01-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I've now written 44 pages...and loved every minute of it. For some reason, this radio play has been easier to write than the first one. I like this one better, so whether that's the reason...Anyway, I just need to go through and edit...perhaps a few times, then read it out to check for time length.

Then I'll be sending it off to the BBC comp, and on to the next project, which is going to be a spec for a tv comedy drama, with an outline for possible future episodes.

I sound all confident and knowing, eh? Not at all. I've never written a tv spec script before, but I'm looking forward to trying a few things out. I have the idea. Can I make it work? We'll see, but I'll have a darned good try.

Wil keep you informed.

What To Do When The Muse Vacates the Premises

2009-01-25T07:11:00.000-08:00

After reading a post on a friend's Blog, about being in a funk with writing, I thought I'd try to find out what happens to a writer when they can't seem to write any more.

With me, it's when a lack of confidence kicks in and I think that everything I write is totally and utterly rubbish. It does happen, and I don't know why. Usually, it's when I've finished something, that at the time of writing seemed so GREAT! when I go back to it, the doubts start to creep in. Then (as happens with me) it's that time before sleep when all my insecurities kick in and the muse laughs at me, that raucous, mocking laugh, as though to say, "You thought I was feeding you witty dialogue, brilliant description? Well think again you sad witch!"

It's always worse at night, in bed. Then I'll get up, go back to my piece and think, hey, so what? I like it, so there's a chance somebody else will, too.

I tend to just write any old thing when the muse is having one of her off days. I write and write and write. Even if it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, it's still writing, getting over that hurdle, that invisible force that's trying its best to thwart you. It can't do you any harm if you write, can it?

I agree with my friend, who said the winter months have a lot to answer for. I definitely feel better during spring and summer. I keep threatening to get one of those lamps to boost my ailing brain cells. Anyway, the trick, is, I feel, to fight it. Fight the nasty, sarcastic muse. Let her know who's boss! Remember, this feeling won't last for ever. Not if you keep at it.

Don't give in to those negative feelings that creep up, because if you're anything like me, once you become prolific again, you can't remember what it was like not to.

If this sounds like my writing is a dangerous and psychologically damaging exercise, think again. I absolutely love it, warts and all.

I'd be interested to know how others beat the writerly blues.

Blog Colour Scheme

2009-01-20T15:23:00.000-08:00

What do you think of the latest colour scheme? White background, black text and blue and purple headings?

This is the third colour scheme since I started the Blog. I began with a pink background with purple text (I think!), then a black background with white text. And now this.

I don't know what's the matter with me, I rarely decorate at home!

About My First Radio Play Entry For The Alfred Bradley Award

2009-01-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

Well, my first entry should be sitting on a mat somewhere, deep in the bowels of the BBC. I wrote a fair few drafts, and quite a few times, when I thought all was finished, squeaky clean and sparkling, I placed the script in the envelope. Funnily enough I didn't seal it, so I must have had an idea I'd be taking it out again.

Yes, I had a few mind-blowing ideas and had to slip out the script, re-do bits and pieces, add on a little, then...finally...I felt I could let the script go.

My play is quite a simple idea, but I think I 've been a bit ambitious with it, too. It has twists and turns and there are a couple of, let's say, unusual elements in there.

I have no idea if this is what they're looking for/any good/playable on radio. That's because I've never written a radio script before, apart from the script I handed in at the Writersroom Roadshow. So it's all trial and error, and in a way that's how it has to be, until somebody sees something good in my work. I'll know, then, if I'm on the right track. I hope it'll be soooooooooooooooooon.

I've started my second comp entry. I did really well, with fifteen pages just flowing from...somewhere. I'm too tired to continue tonight but hope to write at least another fifteen pages tomorrow. It's all here, right inside my head, and completetly different to the first entry.

Picture Prompt For Tuesday 20/01/2009

2009-01-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Computer drawn by eight-year-old GEORGIA

Notes From The Masterclass

2009-01-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the masterclass in Manchester. Here are some notes I penned:

They're a bit random, but here goes.

STORY

* Don't clone what you hear - try something different.

* What makes a good afternoon play? Story...story...story! Story sells a play, so tell a good one. Look at these pointers to work out if you have a good story:

* What's the concept/premise or hook?

* Is it interesting? Encapsulate in your mind what your story is about.

* Whose story is it? Make sure you know.

* What is the inciting incident that changes the path of your characters' journey?

* How does the lead character change over the course of the script?

* What is the climax/resolution? You need a satisfying ending, or one that fits with the play.

* Is your idea fresh, unique, or an exciting twist on a familiar story genre? Put a spin on it.

* What makes it a play for radio?

* Do we want comedy in drama? YES!

* The first TEN PAGES are crucial.

* Set up your world, your characters, but keep focussed.

* Give us a flavour of what is to come.

* Create a narrative hook to get us listening.

* How do you start the story? Make it ALL story.

* Don't be too expositional.

STRUCTURE

* Radio is more akin to film - setting stuff up, so think film, not theatre.

* The three act structure tends to work best.

* Think of the story as a series of steps.

* Balance the highs and lows and build to a climax.

* Does each scene earn its place? Is it needed, and what function does each scene have? if it develops character whilst moving the play along, fine.

* Show don't tell. Put your scenes in action rather than telling.

CHARACTER

* Make your characters realistic - beware stereotypes.

* Inhabit your characters and develop convincing relationships between them. How do they behave through your eyes?

* Add conflict.

* You can have characters talking to themselves about conflict between each other (internal conflict) - inner voice, inner conflict. But, beware inner voice - people tend to use it to tell the story.

* Don't reveal character in blocks - thread them throughout the play.

* Don't have LOTS of characters - or characters of all the same age/gender.

* Don't put too many characters in one scene.

* No bad language, or it must be very mild. Try not to swear at all.

* No sex or violence for the afternoon play.

DIALOGUE

* Don't be too obvious (on the nose dialogue). You don't need to explain story points or character points.

* Character comes from the convictions and reactions of the character - character doesn't come in statements.

* The inner voice is all about inner conflict - some things can only be done inside the head. If it can be done without the inner voice, do it without.

SETTING

* Is the play in the past or future? The afternoon play is about news, features, contemporary Britain. Why would you set it in the past or future, unless there's a strong reason?

* Beware guardian angels - Heaven and Hell.

* Beware too much back-story. Try not to use flash-backs, unless it ADDS to the story.

* Try not to use long time frames. Be careful of moving from the past to the present. clearly signpost.

* Setting can be anywhere.

* Car chases are rubbish - you can't picture them.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

* Play to your own voice.

* The BBC looks for original voices that will stand out on radio.

* For the Alfred Bradley comp - NORTHERN VOICE!

* Take risks and be original.

* Be bold! Go for it!

* Write, re-write and re-write again.

* Send them the best draft you can.

* Less is more on direction. You can suggest songs, but the producer usually overrides, unless it's essential for the story.

YOU CAN SEND IN TWO ENTRIES EACH FOR THIS COMPETITION - AROUND 7,000 WORDS OR 44-50 PAGES. IT'S AS WELL TO READ OUT YOUR PLAY AND TIME IT TO AROUND 44 MINUTES.

Belated Writerly Christmas Present

2008-12-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

Just had an e mail saying I've won one of the Mslexia 2009 Writer's Diaries. I entered a comp on their website some time ago. Can't even remember what I had to do to enter, but I probably had to answer a question of some sort.

Anyway, am looking forward to receiving it. By all accounts they're supposed to be very nice.

Pitching....

2008-12-28T05:06:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, I'm attending the Alfred Bradley Bursary Award Masterclass at the BBC in Manchester. I have to be there for 1.30 p.m. where Charlotte Riches will meet us.

We don't need to take any work, but we're welcome to pitch an idea! I have an idea, but have no idea about pitching. Also, my idea is the one that will be going into the Alfred Bradley comp, so....

Actually, I do have another idea for a series, but haven't developed it at all, so I wonder if there's enough there to pitch.

I can't imagine pitching in front of an audience (at the moment, anyway) and that's what might happen with it being a Masterclass. I doubt we'll get one to one pitching time.

Hmmm, let's just see what happens.

Right, Time To Get On And Write

2008-12-27T07:13:00.001-08:00

I've had a few days rest. I love this in-between time, Christmas and New Year, because it's a quiet time, one to reflect and think about the drama swishing around my head.

I do want to get a lot of writing done over the next couple of days, and I aim to finish the first draft of the radio script for the Alfred Bradley Bursay Award by the end of this week.

My radio play has quite a dramatic start, setting the scene for the whole of the play. That is to say, the beginning, although only a couple of minutes in length, determines what happens throughout. I then cut to the family home, where the consequences of what happens at the beginning are revealed through dialogue and sound.

I'm excited about it because I think it's quite an original idea, and again, it's a bit of a black comedy, more drama than comedy, but there is a sprinkling thrown in.

More updates through the weekend and next week.

Picture Prompt For 23/12/2008

2008-12-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

2008-12-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

For all who see this message:

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A HOPEFUL AND WRITERLY NEW YEAR 2009!!

ORIGINAL VOICE?

2008-12-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

DANNY STACK linkWriteOn!

SCRIPTWRITING IN THE UK - STEP 10 - DOING THE DO

2008-12-21T12:24:00.000-08:00

Danny Stack gves it to us straight:

DANNY STACK link

SCRIPTWRITING IN THE UK - STEP 9 - IN THE KNOW

2008-12-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

Danny Stack gives it to us straight:

DANNY STACK linkWriteOn!

SCRIPTWRITING IN THE UK - STEP 8 - CHOOSING WORK

2008-12-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

Danny Stack gives it to us straight:

DANNY STACK link

SCRIPTWRITING IN THE UK - STEP 7 - ATTITUDE

2008-12-21T12:17:00.000-08:00

Danny Stack gives it to us straight:

DANNY STACK link