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Women & Writing #5: Helen Smith, Novelist

Happy Publication Day to the lovely Helen Smith! Helen’s a real powerhouse in the scribosphere and her blogs show how an author should be “hands on” in getting their novels out there in front of the public. Make sure you check out her sites! Enjoy. 1) If you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be and why? Enigmatic private detective. Why? Because no one else is ever going to describe me that way. 2) What’s your background? The first thing I ever wrote was a short radio play which won an award. By then I was already… Read More »Women & Writing #5: Helen Smith, Novelist

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On Writing: The 3 Cs Versus The 3 Ps

Bang2writers ask me quite frequently for my “top tips” on  surviving the writing process and this industry. Before now I always felt that it depends on the person, what they’re doing, how they work and who with. But actually, having worked on a variety of projects now with various people over the last ten years, I think there are 6 things all writers of ALL formats need to know and live by, whether they’re screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, journalists, transmedia writers, the works. That’s right – just 6. But they mean SO much – literally everything. 1. THE WRITING You need the… Read More »On Writing: The 3 Cs Versus The 3 Ps

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When Do I Give Up My Day Job?

Following a short flurry of conversation on Bang2writers yesterday (and having been asked many times before), I thought I’d address this question. [DISCLAIMER: obviously these are just MY experiences and thoughts on the matter, not absolute gospel, so please consider all the factors and important people in YOUR life before making any huge life-changing decisions… End of disclaimer.] First, the obvious answer: You give up your day job when the bills can be paid via writing and not a moment before. Except there are the following problems with the above: 1) A freelancer’s life is “up in the air” –… Read More »When Do I Give Up My Day Job?

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Guest Post: "Up Close" workshops by Helen Bang

Bang2writer and aptly-named Helen Bang has kindly provided us with the insights she learnt at a workshop this weekend just gone. Enjoy!——————————–Up Close was a day of free workshops organised by the Playwrights’ Studio Scotland held at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. I attended the workshops on radio drama, further skills for playwrights and demystifying television. The radio workshop was led by BBC radio producers David Ian Neville. He began by outlining the stations which broadcast radio drama (Radio 3, 4, Radio 7 and Radio Scotland, and asked how many people in the audience listened to radio drama… Read More »Guest Post: "Up Close" workshops by Helen Bang

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Adaptation Case Study: War of the Worlds

MEGA SPOILERS War of the Worlds by HG Wells was one of my favourite books as a child. Like many popular novels, there have been many, many adaptations of it – stretching across the mediums, too. With this in mind then, I’m going to take a look at a book which captured the imagination of the public, starting incredibly before space travel was even possible. Enjoy… War of the Worlds, pt 1 – the beginning of Orson Welles’ infamous 1938 radio broadcast which had people literally running for the hills! [More parts available via Youtube] I first listened to this… Read More »Adaptation Case Study: War of the Worlds

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The Alfred Bradley Bursary Event – Alexandra Denye, Guest Post

Many of you out in www.land enter The Alfred Bradley Bursary every year (I’ve even read a few of your radio plays for it) – so I was delighted to hear Bang2writer Alexandra Denye had been shortlisted. I’ve read for Alexandra lots of times as a TV and film writer and it seems she’s added a new string to her bow as a radio writer too! Here’s how it went for her at the prize evening recently. Enjoy!———————————————–“It was a long time to wait from hearing that I’d been short listed (end of April 2009) for the Alfred Bradley Bursary… Read More »The Alfred Bradley Bursary Event – Alexandra Denye, Guest Post

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Writing For Radio: Don’t Miss It

Okay, Okay I’m late to the party – but a lot of my Bang2writers ask about writing for radio and this is one area I just don’t have a clue about, since I have never attempted it! Luckily for me however, the mighty Michelle Lipton has written a mammoth, ten step post on how to get a radio series commissioned, because she’s ONLY GONE AND DONE IT. Nice one Michelle! And thanks for sharing your insight with us, for I’m going to steal your delicious brains and write the rival series, I will be Cain to your Abel! Corrie to… Read More »Writing For Radio: Don’t Miss It

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THE ROYAL TAPES, Writing For Radio

I carted myself off to Bristol last night for the workshop for the BBC Royal Tapes, an opportunity from The Writers’ Room in conjunction with BBC Radio Five Live. It proved an interesting night, though disappointingly no one in the crowd seemed “up” for networking. I spoke to a few people outside, but inside the actual room there was a sombre and intent air of the thirty or so present. Though most took copious notes, so I guess I’m going to have some mean competition – not least because there were other workshops that week in places like Newcastle and… Read More »THE ROYAL TAPES, Writing For Radio

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