I learnt that you need to stick to the point.
What I Learned In 2008
A few obvious things I learnt in 2008. I'm a novice of just over a year, so don't bother with the Red October and Sherlock jokes.
1. Being a woman in comedy means I've got my work cut out
2. Write what makes *me* laugh
3. Seek out prodcos and producers who chime with me. It's fruitless sending scripts to those who don't.
4. Write everyday
5. There are indeed some bitter writers out there
6. It doesn't really matter
Quote: Griff @ January 26 2009, 8:49 AM GMTInspired by http://kevinlehane.com/2008/12/30/what-i-learned-in-2008/, and with not much left of January to post such things:
What did YOU learn in 2008, BSG writers?
Ten things from me:
1. Writing really is rewriting. Never send anything off that isn't as good as you can make it. If you suspect it's "a bit rubbish" it probably stinks like shit.
2. Your non-writing friends really aren't interested in your writing career. So find some writing friends who are. (Don't abandon your old mates unless they really were twats.) But keep quiet about your most promising ideas.
3. If you're going to write for radio, it helps to try and use sound.
4. Stand-up is difficult but not impossible. And it helps a hell of a lot with writing. You can't fully appreciate Bill Bailey's advice about "The secret of comedy is to keep saying funny stuff" until you're stranded on stage with a microphone - but "keep saying funny stuff" applies to your sitcoms and sketches too.
5. Networking is important and also fun. Comedy writers are nice people to be around. And this might be as far as your comedy writing career ever gets, so you might as well enjoy it. (Also, writing partners are brilliant.)
6. Don't worry about what comedy is "supposed" to be like, or write the scripts you imagine people want to read. All you can write is what you can write.
7. Let actors and directors get on with their job. They really hate it when idiot writers try to tell them what to do.
8. Going on courses is highly motivating. And don't just stick to the obvious ones. I did a playwriting course last year which gave me some great ways to think about storytelling.
9. Be focused on what you want to write. It's easy to get sucked into timewasting projects. Choose your projects based on what excites you, not what you think leads to "success".
10. Producers, script readers and so on really aren't out to screw you over. All the ones I've met are good people doing a hard job.
So, over to you...
As a very new writer I would say that most of that is excellent advice.
The only thing I would say is I think there might be a danger that you get so obessive with trying to find faults, mistakes, make things more funny etc,that your writing just stays in a drawer in your desk. No one will buy it if they don't see it!
I actually learnt nothing in 2008.
1 No one is sitting by the letter box waiting for the next big thing to pop through. Write to the standards formats that producers want.
2 Stuff you don't get paid for is a wonderful chance to see what you do actually looks like.
3 Most stuff that pays reasonably well is boring.
4 Have fun.
5 Persistence beats talent.
6 Just because you have an email adress doesn't mean you'll be read.
7 Just because you weren't accepted, doesn't mean you weren't good enough.
8 Listen to your critics but ignore bullies.
9 The secret Masonic password for having your scripts greenlighted at the BBC is "kippers,"
10 Write all the time and write for fun and keep everything. Some sketches need to be ignored for 3 months and the edited.
1) I don't like liver any more
2) Don't start writing an idea for a sitcom before you have planned it properly
3) Stop getting distracted by doing lists like these 
For me, the one thing that stands out in 2008 re: writing is, don't get too excited about anything until you're actually watching your comedy on TV. Because no matter how much a producer loves your stuff and is convinced it's going to be the next big thing, there is always someone else further up the ladder that doesn't agree. Getting something on TV is stupidly-hard work for a new writer, and after two major "almosts" in 2008 I seriously thought about chucking in the towel a couple of times. But I didn't, because this is all I know how to do well, and plus I nearly did it, honest. I really did very nearly have my own sitcom pilot made.
So yeah, 2008 taught me, in writing terms, to be very skeptical, but also to keep soldiering on.
Quote: Lee Henman @ January 26 2009, 11:06 AM GMTFor me, the one thing that stands out in 2008 re: writing is, don't get too excited about anything until you're actually watching your comedy on TV. Because no matter how much a producer loves your stuff and is convinced it's going to be the next big thing, there is always someone else further up the ladder that doesn't agree. Getting something on TV is stupidly-hard work for a new writer, and after two major "almosts" in 2008 I seriously thought about chucking in the towel a couple of times. But I didn't, because this is all I know how to do well, and plus I nearly did it, honest. I really did very nearly have my own sitcom pilot made.
So yeah, 2008 taught me, in writing terms, to be very skeptical, but also to keep soldiering on.
Seriously, don't give up. If you were that close that means you've got the ability, don't waste it!
Quote: ContainsNuts @ January 26 2009, 11:18 AM GMTSeriously, don't give up. If you were that close that means you've got the ability, don't waste it!
Is it better to miss by mile or miss by an inch?
Depends if you have an atomic bomb?
But seriously if you have the talent and persistence you'll get there eventually.
Quote: chipolata @ January 26 2009, 11:20 AM GMTIs it better to miss by mile or miss by an inch?
That's a serious question and I'm not sure of the answer. It certainly hurts more to miss by an inch.
Quote: sootyj @ January 26 2009, 11:24 AM GMTBut seriously if you have the talent and persistence you'll get there eventually.
Maybe, maybe not. The world's full of people who nearly made it. For some, there's always going to be a glass ceiling.
(And this isn't an attack upon Lee, merely a general statement. He seems a talented guy and could well make it big).
Quote: chipolata @ January 26 2009, 11:29 AM GMTMaybe, maybe not. The world's full of people who nearly made it. For some, there's always going to be a glass ceiling.
(And this isn't an attack upon Lee, merely a general statement. He seems a talented guy and could well make it big).
Hah cheers. We'll see. But you're right, for every "made it" there's a hundred "nearlies" and thousands of "no f**king chances"
Quote: Lee Henman @ January 26 2009, 11:44 AM GMTthere's a hundred "nearlies" and thousands of "no f**king chances"
Hello!
Quote: James Harris @ January 26 2009, 12:06 PM GMTHello!
Hah - you know EXACTLY where you are in that list Jimbongo, you naughty sausage.