Young Writer Requesting Tips. Page 2

We've got 14 and 15 year old comedy writers on here?! That's cool. I remember when I was at school that I used to always try and inject comedy into my english work.

Anyway, if you're stuck for ideas then I suggest you give 'brainstorming' a try. Think of a situation that your characters could be in and generate as many things that could happen. From there, then branch out to what emotions they could be going through and what could happen next. You'll be surprised at the amount of ideas you generate.

Oh yes, and write, write, write. I must have written about 12 sketches this week and 11 of them were awful, but one was a real gem.

Quote: SlagA @ February 16, 2008, 8:40 PM

1) Belief in yourself that borders on blind and fanatical.

2) Perseverance even when you want to give up after rejection upon rejection

3) A writing partner or someone else who writes and who you can bounce ideas off

4) Write, write, write. Every day even if it's shite, you're practicing placing words in the right order and using punctuation to guide the reader the best way through the gags.

5) Cram in the jokes, let a script editor worry about the 2 minute overrun

6) Learn techniques, learn how to tell a story and what makes people empathise with your creations to want to know what happens next to them

The first two will ensure you survive long enough to have a chance. The third will develop your abilities to make someone laugh faster than if you go solo. The last 3 will get you through the dry periods and make people want to watch / read your output.

But most of all have FUN.

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Good advice.

Sorry for coming across negative back there, just telling you from my own experiences.

I wrote every night when I was your age - I'd suggest you doing the same.

Quote: Nbrambles @ February 16, 2008, 7:24 PM

Hi Seefacts i see where your coming from but i dont believe age has anything to do with it in a sense.
Nick

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I hate to say it but I think age has a lot to do with it, writing style and how good you are at it depending on age will develop in different ways, I started writing when I was 17 and I was terrible, why? Because I didn't bother with it before mostly and it was new ground also I find, especially with writing sitcoms, life experience cannot be beat for comedy value.

Unfortunately only being 19 I don't have an awful lot and neither do you so that's something we both can't help at the moment. But if you have a good imagination and a drive you will do fine.

Unfortunately work and other life commitments will get in the way, my advice write all you can, experiment with different styles, really push yourself to try all areas of comedy and even venturing outside of comedy E.G Drama.

Quote: Seefacts @ February 16, 2008, 7:37 PM

But don't be dismayed if in a years time you look back at what you thought was good, and think it now isn't.

That'll probably happen a few times. It takes a few years to find your own style for one.

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This is very true. there's countless stuff the i wrote a few years ago that i thought was the absolute bollocks at the time, but i read them now and i'm ashamed by it. Also, don't pin all of your hopes on the BBC's writersroom. You'd be better off going to production companies, but that's a long way away yet.

Quote: earman2009 @ February 16, 2008, 8:55 PM

This is very true. there's countless stuff the i wrote a few years ago that i thought was the absolute bollocks at the time, but i read them now and i'm ASHAMED by it. Also, don't pin all of your hopes on the BBC's writersroom. You'd be better off going to production companies, but that's a long way away yet.

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Yeah.

Don't both sending anything off to the Writers Room, waste of good stamps.

If I were you I'd spend the next few years (Cue cheesy Saved By The Bell bit) doing your education and, of course, writing shit loads.

Then in a few years if you're producing some good stuff, start getting you and your work out there.

Thanks for all the great comments i feel motivated even more thanks alot.

Hello Nick

Well I see you've ben given loads of advice already.

Mine would be though as already mentioned don't discard anything and look in the papers for items you can exploit or expand on.

Quote: Perry Nium @ February 16, 2008, 7:29 PM

Susan Nickson won the Lloyds Bank Film Challenge at the age of fourteen with a ten-minute short called Buddha's Legs. 7 years later she wrote 2 Pints Of Lager, and is now VERY successful and wealthy. So you don't have to be 50 before you make it.

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There, just goes to show, constant writing doesn't necessarily mean you'll improve!

Quote: garyd @ February 17, 2008, 12:04 AM

There, just goes to show, constant writing doesn't necessarily mean you'll improve!

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Yes - but some of us don't need to improve - just be recognised.

Hello young Nick.

Just read, write, watch, listen to and absorb as much comedy as you can.
Obviously, that means very few visits to this site!
It will show you how many different styles of writing and humour there are.
But try to avoid writing something exactly how you think your favourite would. That is their way. Look to learn from them, and others, but gradually (hopefully) your own style will evolve.
Also, please do not be put off by negative critiques of any work you submit. Take any comments onboard and use them to improve as you continue.
Good luck.

Quote: David Chapman @ February 17, 2008, 12:06 AM

Yes - but some of us don't need to improve - just be recognised.

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David,
Many a true word...

Welcome Nick, nice to have you on board.

Further to all the good advice you've been offered, I would just offer the warning that at some point you will probably want to pack it all in. When you first start to write it tends to be quite easy. Your first few scripts or sketches don't always seem such hard work. You may be execeptionally gifted and write good stuff off-the-bat. However, probably a lot of us look back at our early efforts with a mixture of embarrassment and head-scratching as to how we found 'that' funny?

As you get better as a comedy writer you will find material harder to write and probably have a 'long dark night of the soul' where you want to pack it in. Don't give in. That material may well be the most rewarding work you've done.

Good luck and keep writing.

I'm fairly new to the writing game too. My advice apart from what everyone else has said is to look at everyday situations and see how you can twist them for laughs. Even in the most mundane situations there is comedy to be found. Good luck.

1) Watch sitcoms like Fawlty Towers and Blackadder and you'll immediately become aware of how utterly, completely, totally and absolutely shite your own writing is.

Then, before packing it all in and moving to Bridgend . . .

2) Watch sitcoms like According to Bex, My Family and Hyperdrive and you'll immediately become aware of how easy it is to con TV companies into parting with good money for bad scripts.

Then get writing.

Quote: FoxyBox @ February 21, 2008, 4:10 PM

1) Watch sitcoms like Fawlty Towers and Blackadder and you'll immediately become aware of how utterly, completely, totally and absolutely shite your own writing is.

Then, before packing it all in and moving to Bridgend . . .

2) Watch sitcoms like According to Bex, My Family and Hyperdrive and you'll immediately become aware of how easy it is to con TV companies into parting with good money for bad scripts.

Then get writing.

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Crap only gets made by people already on the inside thanks to a one sketch they wrote for Alas Smith & Jones in 1991.

To make it from nothing you need to be good.

What ever else you do, DON'T ask for any tips.

Quote: David Chapman @ February 17, 2008, 12:06 AM

Yes - but some of us don't need to improve - just be recognised.

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that's everyone on BSG isn't it?