How long should it take?

It can be tricky, when embarking on any kind of comedy project, to estimate how long it will take.

Perhaps it's human nature to underestimate how many hours you will need to allow.

Partly, it's a matter of individual character: some of us are able to work methodically through a script over a set period of time; others need hard deadlines, and to smash those drafts out in a frenzy of activity.

Only you know how you work best - and, the more you write, the more familiar you'll become with your own practice.

But there are certain generalities worth...