Writer's Blog
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Funny Bone
04 April 2006
After my last effort Sweathearts I was reluctant to re-enter the realm of sitcom. A new writer from New York, USA, Belinda Evangelista emailed me asking for some advice on writing after reading my website. One thing led to another and now we are writing a sitcom together. This is my first collaboration and I have to say I'm enjoying it very much. Things are coming together very well indeed. I'll keep you posted on this one.
After reading Danny Stack's blog about being invited to a writer's workshop for Eastenders I decided to write off to the producers of a few of my favourite programmes and see if I can blag a writing gig. The answer will almost certainly be a negative one but nothing ventured nothing gained. The two shows I'm most interested in writing for are Doctor Who and Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.
The Norway Invasion Part 2
30 March 2006
Mr. Arne Reidar Mortensen has been and gone, but while a lot of alcohol was consumed over the last five days business was also discussed. Arne and a few of his friends at TV Vest are planning to make several short films for broadcast over the coming months. Arne asked me to submit some of my work. I've sent him I Do? a ten minute romantic comedy. I'm looking forward to the collaboration and I hope it'll lead to bigger things for both of us.
I also met up with another old university friend, Will Columbine, who gave me several pages of notes for Where Angels Fear To Tread. They will prove very helpful during the rewrite.
A copy of From This Day Forth is printed off and waiting to be posted to World Productions. I've also had a three more replies, all rejections, including a very nice hand written letter from Neville Wortman at Wortman Productions UK giving me plenty of advice on how to break into the business. Thank you, Neville.
The Norway Invasion
24 March 2006
On Monday (20th) I posted out ten treatments for my 90 minute drama From This Day Forth. Today is Friday (24th) and I've already had three replies.
The first was an email from Clive Parsons at Film and General Productions Ltd who sent a very short but direct,
Tomorrow is the day I've been waiting for. At last my very good friend, TV Presenter, Cameraman, Reporter and all round entertainer Mr. Arne Reidar Mortensen arrives. 
Arne and I spend three fun years living together at Bournemouth University where he studied TV and Video Production. Arne now works for TV Vest in his home town of Stavanger, reporting for, and sometimes presenting a Saturday morning show. To watch his show go to the TV Vest site and click on Frokostblanding. The site is updated every Saturday and even though it's in Norwegian it's worth watching just for the interesting faces Arne pulls. He's usually on about ten minutes into the programme. I can't wait until the big guy arrives.
Postcard From The Edge
22 March 2006
A nifty little postcard dropped through my letter box today from the BBC Writersroom. My script From This Day Forth had arrived and the card informed me that I should hear from them within four months. I began to wonder what process scripts go through at the BBC Writersroom, so I decided to investigate.
I found this handy little flow chart on their website detailing what the stages your script is likely to go through. I hope you find it helpful.
3 days to go now and I'm so excited. The clue in the last blog was 'Hei, Hei'. It's Norwegian if you didn't know. I promise I WILL reveal all on Friday.
Hei, Hei, Mr. Postman
17 March 2006
As I sit here nibbling at a slice of cheese on toast ten letters have been written, ten treatments have been printed, ten envelopes addressed, all they need now are the stamps then they can be posted. Last month I sent out Sins of The Father and this month it's the turn of my calling card script From This Day Forth. After a couple of rewrites I'm finally pleased with this script so I hope it'll attract some strong interest. A copy of From This Day Forth is still with Celtic Films after they requested the script back in December.
I'm going to enter some of my scripts into as many competitions as I can. Reading other people's stories of how they got into the business I have realised that the more successful writers all won competitions and then went on to get work, using that script as their calling card. Can't help but try.
8 days to go now and for once I've given you a clue in this blog's title... and no, I'm not becoming a postman.
Blogtastic
16 March 2006
I have another blog. 'Why?' you might ask, 'isn't the one the lovely people at Moov2 did for you enough?' Yes it is but I don't want to fill up their server with the crap that floats around in my brain everyday. So I've come to a decision. The blog on this site will be purely for my work, what I'm writing, where I'm sending it and what response I receive. The other blog, located at Doms World, will concentrate on the theory of writing and any issues arising from it. There, that's settled then.
Only 9 days to go now. I promise I'll tell you soon... maybe.
How To Handle Rejection
14 March 2006
The familier thud of paper hitting the carpet and the rattle of the letter box as it swings shut; two sounds guaranteed to get a new writer rushing to the front door. My letter box went this morning. Another rejection letter this time from Scala Productions. I didn't bat an eyelid. I have a folder full of rejection letters, some good, some bad, but all adding fuel to my desire to be successful. The way I look at it is this; if a production company rejects your script it's not you they're rejecting. It's nothing personal they were just not interested in what you sent them this time. It doesn't mean they'll reject the next one... although they probably will.
11 days to go... maybe I'll tell you soon.