I thought Graham was the Dark Knight...
kjs
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe - Writers' special Page 8
I always think Bandage is actually Gavin, now.
Yes, I know who the Mekon is. I used to work in Southport, ffs.
Quote: zooo @ December 7 2008, 11:49 PM GMTI always think Bandage is actually Gavin, now.
Me too! 
Quote: Griff @ December 7 2008, 11:55 PM GMTNow you've beaten me. What does the Mekon have to do with Southport?
And what character is your avatar, or is it an original superhero of Gavin's devising?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Dare
And I've no idea. You'd better ask Gavin.
Just watched this again. Personally I found Russell T Davies' comments about how he never bothers writing detailed character bios because the characters are already there in his own head quite reassuring. Before embarking on a new project I tend to go about my normal life for a few weeks, mulling over characters while I'm driving, shopping, in the pub or whatever, until it's all there in my head and there's enough for me to stop procrastinating and actually start writing. I always thought this was a weird way of going about it but if it's good enough for Russell...
Anyway. what a great show this was. Charlie Brooker has made my favourite two shows of 2008 - Dead Set and this one.
And what a simple yet very true message to send out to wannabe scribes at the end of the show. A writer writes. The clue's in the title.
Brilliant.
Quote: Lee Henman @ December 8 2008, 12:32 AM GMTBefore embarking on a new project I tend to go about my normal life for a few weeks, mulling over characters while I'm driving, shopping, in the pub or whatever, until it's all there in my head and there's enough for me to stop procrastinating and actually start writing.
Me too.
And it was very good to hear Linehan's poo analogy, because it is tempting to think "I must sit down and start writing this" when in fact you might not be ready.
Quote: Mike Greybloke @ December 8 2008, 10:52 AM GMTMe too.
And it was very good to hear Linehan's poo analogy, because it is tempting to think "I must sit down and start writing this" when in fact you might not be ready.
Yeah and you'll just get writers' piles. 
The other good piece of advice was what Linehan said about creating your world and characters before you get started on your first draft, if it's based on a place/person then research it or if you are making everything up from scratch, really get a feel for who these characters are and the world they live in. If you have all this either on paper or clogged up in your brain-box it will come to a point where you just HAVE to write and you'll sit down and unleash that first draft easily because you'll know how to write for your characters, how they speak, how the react etc.
That's how I write. I'm not one of those that can sit in front of a blank screen and then just start writing with no initial thought process. I like to have things planned, I want to know what I'm writing about and what characters I'm using to tell the story. So when it comes time to write the first draft I know what I'm doing.
After watching the programme and reading these comments, it seems to all come back to the same thing which of course we already know - there is no definitive formula.
I sometimes have ideas in my head for weeks and just jot them down or record them until I have some characters and a plot, but at other times I have a germ of an idea so I just start writing and see what happens.
I have notebooks full of random words and phrases, character descriptions, names etc. and sometimes an idea springs from reading them.
Unfortunately, a lot of my ideas come at awkward times and it is difficult to record them - I have been known to use my dictaphone in public loos and hospital waiting rooms.
I'd like to know if anyone else wakes up in the night with ideas, or has them while they are trying to sleep.
Quote: Loopey @ December 9 2008, 3:38 PM GMTI'd like to know if anyone else wakes up in the night with ideas, or has them while they are trying to sleep.
Last night, I woke and scribbled a big splotch on the back of my hand to remind me I'd thought of an idea. So yep. I'm always writing, wherever I happen to be and no longer worried how odd it makes me look.
One of my favourite lines was spoken to me in a dream. I used it to open a piece.
I've watched and re-watched this episode several times on theiPlayer and like everyone has said, it was just inspiring! I've always fancied having a real go at writing, but never thought I could. It was just brilliant to see that all these writers have the same thoughts and fears I have and that everyone writes differently.
Well Done Charlie Brooker!
Quote: SlagA @ December 9 2008, 3:40 PM GMTOne of my favourite lines was spoken to me in a dream. I used it to open a piece.
If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: "Get your cock out of my rubber dog" will never open Radio 4's Afternoon Play...
Dan
"Cock and rubber dog" was the second line and crucial to the plot development. 
Quote: swerytd @ December 9 2008, 4:32 PM GMTIf I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: "Get your cock out of my rubber dog" will never open Radio 4's Afternoon Play...
Dan
It did... April last year, during Radio 4's annual, "Lets Look Like We Care About Minorities Season."
The play in question was called "All Ganstas Ain't Baaad." It was set on an inner city housing estate in Seven Oaks and in the opening scene a young ne'er do well was trying to protect his "piece" from the rain, his companion said, "Get your Glock out of my rubber, dog." ie, take your pistol out of my condom, friend.
kjs