Moffat interview
Brilliant interview that thanks for that Simon.
It's a good read. I thought this was the best piece:
On advice for aspiring writers:
"Don’t go round whining that your stuff is better than everything else on television, because that’s a hopeless waste of talent. Don’t rave at the world for not employing you. Don’t moan that television executives are fools: I’ve worked with television executives and none of them are fools. They’re really bright, and they’d take most people to pieces in a conversation. It’s all too easy to be a neglected genius in a reeking bedsit, railing at the world."
Given who his mother in law is he is very circumspect in taking such a stance.
Quote: Winterlight @ July 9 2008, 4:08 PM BSTIt's a good read. I thought this was the best piece:
On advice for aspiring writers:
"It’s all too easy to be a neglected genius in a reeking bedsit, railing at the world."
CCTV in this country has gone too far 
Some great advice there. Cheers, Simon.
The Moff FTW!
Particulary agree with him on the pointlessness of outlining future episodes, which I don't do. I have ideas in my head when it comes to future episodes but it's much more liberating and successful to sit down at the keyboard with a basic idea in your head and just see where your imagination takes you.
I'm relieved to hear that he's also terrible at pitching. I apologised to someone at talkback when I attempted to pitch and was massively inarticulate. He said not to worry as most writers are shit at it.
Cheers Simon -- very interesting.
Dan
Thanks Simon.
I really enjoyed reading that... even if the bar steward is taking my job! 
Quote: Tim Walker @ July 9 2008, 5:48 PM BSTParticulary agree with him on the pointlessness of outlining future episodes, which I don't do. I have ideas in my head when it comes to future episodes but it's much more liberating and successful to sit down at the keyboard with a basic idea in your head and just see where your imagination takes you.
I'm relieved to hear that he's also terrible at pitching. I apologised to someone at talkback when I attempted to pitch and was massively inarticulate. He said not to worry as most writers are shit at it.
I'm guessing you skim read that then. He talks about not writing outlines in general - not specifically for future episodes - and he says he's actually exceptionally good at pitching.
Quote: David Bussell @ July 9 2008, 9:49 PM BSTI'm guessing you skim read that then. He talks about not writing outlines in general - not specifically for future episodes - and he says he's actually exceptionally good at pitching.
I did read all of it. I was referring to outlining for sitcom, not for a series like 'Who', which has to be show-run by him as the series uses multiple writers. And whilst he indeed may be good a pitching now, it's nice to hear he doesn't consider it an essential skill for newbies.
Quote: Winterlight @ July 9 2008, 4:08 PM BSTIt's a good read. I thought this was the best piece:
On advice for aspiring writers:
"Don't go round whining that your stuff is better than everything else on television, because that's a hopeless waste of talent. Don't rave at the world for not employing you. Don't moan that television executives are fools: I’ve worked with television executives and none of them are fools. They're really bright, and they'd take most people to pieces in a conversation. It's all too easy to be a neglected genius in a reeking bedsit, railing at the world."
Could not be posted on a more apt site.
It's alright for Moffat, because he got his break when his dad was in the right place at the right time.