Quote: Marc P @ November 24 2008, 2:39 PM GMTActually I have just ordered a pair of these.
Great. You can be a gay man in Dynasty now.
You're a writer? Really? Page 10
Is that tautology?
Quote: chipolata @ November 24 2008, 2:18 PM GMTHe's talented - no question - but luck comes into the equation. If there'd been more inteference on the Office, or it just hadn't gelled, then he could just have been another mediocre professional panellist nowadays.
I'll take that job!
Quote: Pete @ November 24 2008, 3:48 PM GMTI'll take that job!
You'll have to wrestle Michael McIntyre for it.
Bitchy!
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 24 2008, 9:47 AM GMTDo you think though you would have been as good a writer at a younger age, or without the life experience you've had?
My parents are used to me pissing about at odd things; libraries, fashion, comedy. I think they're just pleased I didn't end up as Amy Winehouse or a stripper.
Firstly, I would just say to have a go at something you REALLY want to do when you're young. Fortune favours the brave, etc. If you have a talent for it, starting young can only help.
Secondly, I don't consider myself a "good writer" - hardly a writer at all. Fair to say I have been writing scripts for performance - mostly drama and then sketches - since I was 14. I was trying to write Pinter-esque stuff at the age of 16 - poor f**king Saturday drama school audiences! I wrote a 'Simpsons' script aged 18 - the only script from my youth I still hold on to - it has one great Homer exchange, seriously.
I don't know if life experience helps you write any better, but it certainly means you're less likely to be scared about what you write. I have saved-up lots of ideas for various writing projects over the years, had many experiences to inform them... Hey, I just really enjoy writing stuff. Lovely if it goes further, but I have kids and some sort of life, so, you know...?
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 25 2008, 3:09 AM GMTI wrote a 'Simpsons' script aged 18.
The Simpsons was going back then?!
I think it would be a bit pretentious for me to go round saying I'm a writer. I'm not a writer. I'm just a wannabe at the minute.
I have said in the past that "I'm trying to get into comedy writing", but it usually just leads to bizarre suggestions and questions. That's why I don't bother discussing it anymore.
Quote: Ben @ November 25 2008, 1:04 PM GMTThat's why I don't bother discussing it anymore.
And yet here we are...
At least I don't have business cards printed up, Bussell. At least I have that.
Quote: Ben @ November 25 2008, 2:23 PM GMTAt least I don't have business cards printed up, Bussell. At least I have that.
Double-sided business cards mind you!
Quote: Ben @ November 25 2008, 2:23 PM GMTAt least I don't have business cards printed up, Bussell. At least I have that.
And they don't cost anything - at least mine don't.
Wait 'til you get your Christmas cards though.
Quote: Seefacts @ November 21 2008, 1:57 PM GMTWhat do people say when you mention you write?
Are they impressed, or do they say 'Tell me a joke?' Are they interested or frightened?
Or, do you not mention it?
They ask me what my writing's about and I say: I can't tell you because all my stuff is under consideration.
Then they usually say - I don't want to read it, I just want a loose idea of what it's about.
I repeat my first answer.
Then they usually get a little bit impatient and say something like: Look, man, I'm a writer too. I'm not going to steal your stuff - I don't need any detail, jokes, character information - just give me a few words - say 'BBC Three sitcom set in a school' etc. They then give a quick description of something they've written.
I say Yeah, but your stuff isn't under consideration, my stuff is
At that point they usually wander off muttering 'small-statured ginger prick' or something similar.
Quote: Godot Taxis @ November 25 2008, 5:07 PM GMTThen they usually get a little bit impatient and say something like: Look, man, I'm a writer too. I'm not going to steal your stuff - I don't need any detail, jokes, character information - just give me a few words - say 'BBC Three sitcom set in a school' etc. They then give a quick description of something they've written.
I say Yeah, but your stuff isn't under consideration, my stuff is
At that point they usually wander off muttering 'small-statured ginger prick' or something similar.
And then you steal their stuff because "under consideration" means you're still considering what to write.
Quote: David Bussell @ November 25 2008, 2:27 PM GMTDouble-sided business cards mind you!
Yeah, with the VistaPrint ad on the back.