I would be interested to know what steps people are making to further their writing careers, or if indeed many people see it as primarily a hobby.
I've decided I need to be in London and in the meantime am submitting a few topical sketches and gags here and there in the hope that if enough shit is thrown at the wall some of it will stick!
Not much.
I have a few production companies who have asked me to contribute to some tv sketch show pilots, and a couple of full shows in the very, very, very early stages of development; and I shuffled those few steps forward by basically writing as often as I can and sending off the results to as many people as possible. Unless youre a performer on the circuit, I dont see any other way of doing it, if you are serious about writing for a living.
So to further myself, er, further; Ill be trying to do more of that; getting stuff out there and read.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 22, 2008, 8:00 PMI have a few production companies who have asked me to contribute to some tv sketch show pilots, and a couple of full shows in the very, very, very early stages of development; and I shuffled those few steps forward by basically writing as often as I can and sending off the results to as many people as possible. Unless youre a performer on the circuit, I dont see any other way of doing it, if you are serious about writing for a living.
So to further myself, er, further; Ill be trying to do more of that; getting stuff out there and read.
When I get a car, I'll be Britains most well known stand up comedian on the circuit 
Sorry, mate - you'll never be as big as Paul W...wait a minute, no way!!!!
No-one's asked me to submit anything but I'm working as part of a team on an animated sitcom, working on a couple of other ones and finishing off 3 short scripts (not comedy) for an evening of new writing on May 31.
Also going to review my NaNo - oh and I sent my Red Planet failure to a big company I heard about on radio a couple of weeks ago.
So nothing much...
And writing crap on here.
Don't laugh Paul. At least he's honest. 
selling my bottom
Attending a Television broadcasting course next year (either at Westminster or Kingston-Upon-Thames) to get contacts as well as have use of free equipment. It also means an exciting move from Greater Manchester to London! Also have been offered a job writing sketches recently too, which is good to further my career and gain contacts...
...One day I may actually be happy with one of the sitcoms I've wrote and send them off unsolicited... one day.
personally I still feel like I am learning. I am currently working on a draft for a pilot with another writer on here and I have My first two standup gigs booked for feb. Which I am now beginning to shit bricks about!
I am also writing some thing as a challenge and learning tool, trying to create a funny and dramatic 30 minute script with just one set and two characters. (very low key for me).
I submitted sitcom script off this week after having it knocking around for an eternity. We'll see how that goes.
Today I found a sketch I'd written 2 years and it's absolute TOSS. I was embarrassed I liked it so much at the time even more so because I actually submitted it.
Funnily enough I heard nuffink.
On the positive side on hanging on to the sitcom for so long it's sooooooo much better than when I threatened to send it off first time at the end of 2005.
Just as well I waited because I really feel that I've taken it as far as I can. If it fails now I can just leave it and stop dreaming and move onto something new.
Considering buying a handgun, a length of rope & plotting a kidnap.
Quote: Tuumble @ January 22, 2008, 9:56 PMI submitted sitcom script off this week after having it knocking around for an eternity. We'll see how that goes.
Today I found a sketch I'd written 2 years and it's absolute TOSS. I was embarrassed I liked it so much at the time even more so because I actually submitted it.
Funnily enough I heard nuffink.
On the positive side on hanging on to the sitcom for so long it's sooooooo much better than when I threatened to send it off first time at the end of 2005.
Just as well I waited because I really feel that I've taken it as far as I can. If it fails now I can just leave it and stop dreaming and move onto something new.
Interesting Tuumble, I've had much the same thoughts about one of my old sitcoms. But, if in the past you thought your stuff was great, and now you realise it's wank, what's to say the stuff you think is great now can't be even better in another couple of years?
+some of it isn't just maturation of the writer - times lends greater objectivity to your own script critique.
Quote: Charley @ January 22, 2008, 10:04 PMConsidering buying a handgun, a length of rope & plotting a kidnap.
Quote: Charley @ January 22, 2008, 10:04 PMConsidering buying a handgun, a length of rope & plotting a kidnap.
See - she wants me really.
Quote: Tuumble @ January 22, 2008, 9:56 PMToday I found a sketch I'd written 2 years and it's absolute TOSS. I was embarrassed I liked it so much at the time even more so because I actually submitted it.
Post it on here then