I would rather drink marmite.
Writing Partners Page 5
Mmm, Bovril.
Quote: Griff @ September 24 2008, 1:09 PM BSTJust jumping in off-topic as I think I may have offended Nigel.
I do not have a problem with Critique, I have read some great stuff in there, including stuff by Nigel and by Sooty, and if it works for people, they should use it.
What I object to is Sooty's constant urging to every writer on this forum that they should post their stuff on Critique as it's the only way they will improve, usually with the argument "look what it's done for me" etc.
Back on topic. Writing partners eh. Another downside to consider (which may already have been mentioned) is that it takes much longer to write stuff in partnership than to write solo.
Sigh it's precisley becuase it worked for me.
I like being part of a writing community, on line and in the flesh. I post alot so I'm sure I repeat the same advice to the same people over and over.
Rather like an engaging tramp at a bus stop.
Conversley I find people who ask for lots of specific advice, followed by the caveat that they would never post in critique. On account of them having the 7th book of Mormon, the recipe for Coca Cola, and the lost Fawlty Towers bed hidden under their matress.
You might as well accuse me of badgering people to send off to Newsrevue, which I also do alot.
And it's nice to be part of a community of fellow writers at the end of a cable.
I totally agree with Skib von skubber back on page 2.
It's all about opposites. You need a idea's man (what about this? how about that? does this work?) and a keyboard man who has attention to detail and great use of language and editing skills.
When you get that mix right of creativity and detail you can really bounce idea's off each other,sparking better material.
My keyboard man f**ked off traveling around the world for 18 months, well at least thats what he told me!
It's also a massive benefit to be told a sketch or scene you have become attached to doesn't work from someone who's on your wavelength.
Just my two pence
Agree with Skibbs too. Contrast is the crucial part mixed with the ability o say "bullshit" without causing offence. I'm lucky in that SlagB is a good mate and a complete opposite in humour. He likes crude and genitals and actions; I like the humour to be contained in dialogue.
I write alone in novels and prose and although it is a far more controlled experience in that I have creative control and am free to experiment in form and style, the flipside is that it's so deadly dull at times and very isolating. I can disappear for months at a time when I've finally reached the writing stage - and they call that the fun part of writing too. All the sketches and sitcoms are a 50-50 split, although I'm the typist of the two.
I post in Critique because I have no ability to be objective about my own work and I would sooner humiliate myself in front of strangers than friends.
As far as writing partners go, if I ever find someone who is as talented as I am - but not more talented - I am up for it.
Crude oil, genitals, action? SlaggB is ASarah Palin and I claim my 5 dollars, and illegitmate downs syndrome baby.
I think cooperating beats having a writing partner hands down.
1 You don't share revenue (albeit I love haggling for punchline swops)
2 Because either of you can walk away no ones trying to save your feelings.
I've done atleast one stage show, packed full of crappy, self indulgent toss. Because it was that person's share, and they were new and proud of their stuff so no one should tell them off.
The thing about 'opposites creating results' sounds interesting in theory, but is there evidence of the results getting on TV?
Are the Peep Show writers complete opposites? Clement and La Frenais? Grant and Naylor?
I ask this because I honestly don't know.
I've written with two people before on the same project. We were writing for a few characters that we'd come up with.
One of the chaps was great at coming up with good ideas and was a good writer too, the other chap (and I feel harsh saying this as he is a friend) wasn't so great, for every good idea he came up with, we had to listen to about 20 bad ones, obviously it's great that he was so full of ideas, but sometimes you need to sift through the shite first.
The chap who wasn't so good was pretty much using this comedy project as a last ditch attempt to do something he wanted to do before getting a proper job. The other chap with the good ideas couldn't get motivated when we were not working together and we subsequently didn't work together again although still see each other, but I guess reliability is the key as well as a fruitful comedy mind of course.
I write on my own and sometimes with a writing partner. We weren't friends first and I think this helps as we don't have any 'in' jokes and similar sayings, etc. So we both add something different; she uses different expressions, phrases, ideas and references to me, but we both have a similar humour - but not so similar that there may as well be only one of us writing.
I plan to enter Sitcom Trials this year and the Declan and Simon version.
I've got some ideas but really think I'd be better with a partner. I'm much better bouncing ideas around.
Is anyone else here interested in collaborating?
This is a sitcom I posted on Critique ages ago - to show why I need help!!!!