The Comedy Doctor on our 10-Page Call Out opportunity

A member asks: I'm planning to submit to BCG Pro's 10-Page Call Out opportunity, but I'm not sure if I'm ready for this level of development. Should I go ahead anyway?

Firstly, thank you for this question.

Look, I completely understand why you might be nervous. Parting with material is a nerve-wracking experience for any writer.

Even professional writers get nervous about their material - particularly when it's a new idea. They want everybody to love it.

But the reality is, notes will almost always come. Very few ideas arrive fully formed. The first script for a new idea is simply the start of a process.

And you should view this opportunity as the start of a process, too.

The likelihood is that your script will not make it. That does not mean that you're a terrible writer with no chance of success - but simply a statistical reality.

What will guarantee you won't succeed, however, is never sending in a script.

Everybody who has ever written a sitcom for television or radio has had to summon up the courage to press "send" (or, in the old, days put a script in a brown envelope and pop it in the post). Summoning up the bravery to do that is an important first step on any writer's professional journey.

And the truth is, some people, who dearly want to be writers, never get that far. Their dream - even if they're churning out material at home - remains just that. There's something very sad about such a situation, and I very much hope you will not allow yourself to fall into it.

Should you be in a position where a production company does want to develop your work, it's important to remember than any well-qualified professional will want to deal with you reasonably.

They will know you're new - and they'll know you're nervous. They will want to nurture your talent. That doesn't mean, of course, that they'll shield you from all criticism - but the notes you receive on your work will be designed to make you a better writer, and your script a better proposition.

In reality, it's very hard to know if you're ready for the next step on your writing journey until you've taken it. But it's probably a much better idea to seize opportunities as they come than to wait for a perfect moment.

Opportunities to break into the comedy industry are rare. I am sure that BCG Pro will have more in the future. But what is really stopping you taking advantage of this one?

It's entirely your decision, but think you should go ahead. You have nothing to lose - and everything to gain.

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Got a question for the doctor? Email pro@comedy.co.uk