Quote: Mark Norton @ July 15 2009, 4:11 PM BSTI went to one day of Mark's course and he did say he'd just spilt up with his wife.
I bet he's just doing it to get a book deal.
The blog I mean, not the divorce.
When was this. The last time I met up with him, he had a very attractive young lady in tow. So life can't be all bad.
That'd be Tigger, then.
I think the bloke who wrote The Smoking Room went to the same school as me.
So the guy who we are all suppossed to idolise and pay money to critique our scripts and buy his books and attend his workshops has never actually sold anything himself and is going to give up writing?
So the guy who we are all suppossed to idolise and pay money to critique our scripts and buy his books and attend his workshops has never actually sold anything himself and is going to give up writing?
That's what I was thinkng, but didn't want to post it for fear of being lynched.
Quote: Mikey Jackson @ July 15 2009, 11:51 PM BSTThat's what I was thinkng, but didn't want to post it for fear of being lynched.
I'm sure I will be lynched but I see myself as the child in the Emperor's new clothes who points out hes naked!
Quote: Tom G @ July 15 2009, 11:47 PM BSTSo the guy who we are all supposed to idolise and pay money to critique our scripts and buy his books and attend his workshops has never actually sold anything himself and is going to give up writing?
I don't know anyone who "idolises" Marc. Yes, I paid him for critiquing my early scripts and I found it an excellent service and very useful. I have a "in" at one very major production company which has come about indirectly because of Marc recommending me to someone as "one to watch" 18 months ago. What Marc decides to do is none of my business. I've no right to judge him beyond the service and advice he's given me. Plus he's a good bloke.
OK, fair enough, Griff, I didn't know about those credits.
...but why is he doing that suicidal type blog?
Quote: Tom G @ July 15 2009, 11:47 PM BSTSo the guy who we are all suppossed to idolise and pay money to critique our scripts and buy his books and attend his workshops has never actually sold anything himself and is going to give up writing?
Well he's certainly sold stuff and there's a big diference between teaching and doing they're diferent skills.
I suspect most of the people earning real money in comedy writing are the teachers, producers and script editors. I doubt there's all that much money in the writing pot.
He's had some decent credits in the industry, without ever setting it on fire.
Bottom line: he's been more successful than most on here, and should therefore be listened to.
Agreed. 
mikey... tom...
get over yourselves. Seriously.
I've done Marc's course, used his script reading service and read his book, and all were very useful not to mention enjoyable (except the script reading bit - that wasn't 100% enjoyable). And as Tim said he's also a very nice fella. His blog is a bit of a downer though.
Quote: Lee Henman @ July 15 2009, 10:40 AM BSTIt's funny how this guy, who's been writing and teaching others how to write sitcom for years, has never grasped the basic truth that some people, no matter how talented, just never make it "big".
Just quoting myself there to point up my kneejerk twattishness. My knee does have a tendency to jerk sometimes.
Of course he knows how the game works - and more than most here, including me. I genuinely hope he carries on trying - as much for his students' respect as well as his own. But there's obviously a point in anyone's life where you come to a fork in the road and have to choose your path. (Apologies for the cowboy-like analogy but I just watched Unforgiven).
I think it can be very bewildering when these big life-choices rear their ugly heads, but you just have to listen to your instincts, follow them, and hope they're right.
Quote: jdubya @ July 16 2009, 12:33 AM BSTmikey... tom...
get over yourselves. Seriously.
There are people on here who can boast as many writing credits.
If you can make a living from reading scripts etc though then fair play to him.