Thinking About Writing

If you would like to come and see Robin's comedy play 'The "How Are You?" Game' then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game The podcast is back! And this time the titles aren't all going to start with "Thinking About..."! On this episode, Robin offers some insights and observations from his work as a freelance script reader. This should be interesting if you've ever submitted a script to an opportunity or a competition and wondered how decisions are made. We think about some of the qualities which can help a script stand out and progress, as well as aspects which may hold it back. There's discussion of the advantages and challenges of writing for different mediums and genres alongside reflections on how to hone your craft and improve your odds. If you want to get in touch with questions comments, or to hire Robin as your script editor then head to robinleetaylor.com Find us on social media by searching for writing_pod If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

The final episode of How to Write a Script is here, and fittingly it's looking at finishing your script. We have a think about endings, titles, page counts and proof reading. All this plus contemplating what to do with said finished script, before a nice summary of everything we've talked about across this series. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

It's the penultimate episode of the season, and this time we're thinking about how to get the writing done. Methods to stay motivated and make everything feel more manageable by setting targets and taking on the script in sections. We then consider how to rewrite, including how to look at your own work and analyse what could be improved, allocating priorities to any drafts you undertake. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This episode we go over some of the aspirations of what a script can accomplish in its first pages in the hopes of making a reader or audience excited about the project and want to see more. Instigating incidents, using time efficiently, teasers and just showing off your flare, we have a think about all of them. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

In the fifth examination of how to write a script, we take a look at dialogue and voice. What makes for effective dialogue? How might a writer express their voice and style? And why did Robin go to karaoke the day before recording this episode and knacker up his vocal chords? Find out all this and other things right here! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

We're taking a little mid-season break, but in the mean time you can listen to Robin having a ponder about Amazon Prime series Mr & Mrs Smith, why it's good, and what it says about current TV and streaming in terms of utilising familiar IP and how a show is promoted. If you'd like to hear more like this or want to show your appreciation for the podcast through the medium of cash then you can become a Patron of the show at www.patreon.com/ThinkingAboutWriting You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com We'll be back with episode five of How to Write a Script next week! If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

Hello script fans! In part four of the How to Write a Script odyssey we have a quick think about research and the instruments we might use to do some writing, before delving into the anatomy of a script. We'll ponder elements such as scene headings, action lines, parentheses and transitions so as to understand what the heck they are, what the heck they do and how we can use them effectively as we write our wonderful scripts. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

Like an unstoppable freight train, we move on to plotting, thinking over establishment, escalation and resolution, things to bear in mind when formulating beat sheets and scene by scenes, and how a plot can evolve, or emerge from different directions. And of course we apply this to our launderette based show. All this while Robin can't breathe properly through his nose due to dreaded lurgy. If you're an at home replicator of the show, then this is your opportunity to write a beat sheet or scene by scene outline to guide your story as you write it. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

Now that we've got a decent sense of the concept we want to write, it's time to start filling in the details, starting out with the important act of character creation, since most scripts without characters in them tend to be on the less interesting side. We go over the roles a character may play in the story, where to take character inspiration from and how to develop their psychology, plus the question of whose story you are telling. All this plus a cheeky section on setting too. If you're writing along at home (Not during the show, presumably) then this week is your chance to come up with some enticing character descriptions. Maybe someone who likes to wear a hat? That's interesting, isn't it? You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing (Eventually! I'm in the midst of figuring that out) Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

A new season begins, dedicated to how to write a script. And it's all about beginning the journey of deciding what it is you want to write. We'll think about the medium you might want to write it, the core of your concept, how that can expand into a premise, ensuring there's enough substance to maintain your script, and most importantly, why an idea excites you. All of this plus the origins of a brand new concept we'll develop across the series and a chance for you to do some creating of your own alongside the show. Interaction! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing (Eventually! I'm in the midst of figuring that out) Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

The podcast for writer types is coming back, and for season three we're breaking down how to write a script. Over eight episodes host Robin will explore things to think about and techniques to apply as you see a writing project through from beginning to end and beyond. We'll then apply these ideas to the creation of a new concept, and offer up some writing exercises you might want to try at home. It's a fully themed, encouraging and interactive season! Listen in to find out more. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

The season two finale is here, and we're finishing off by thinking about the struggles writers can face when a big old writer's block lands in their path. We'll be going over four potential causes of the condition and suggesting some ways for overcoming them, so you can keep on writing. Thanks so much for listening this season, and if you've any thoughts or feelings you'd like to share about this and future editions, get in touch! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This week we're joined by radio producer/director/editor/writer (So many slashes!) Penny Leicester to talk about the joys and opportunities in writing for audio. We discuss the imaginative options in audio, the power of using sound effectively and what a radio script may look like. Check out Penny's recommendation of The Voice In My Ear by Claudine Toutoungi here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001kh5f You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This week we're thinking about what makes something funny, and what could be more amusing than some theories from classic comedy icon, social psychologist, Erving Goffman? We'll be talking about interpretations and formations of funny moments as well as rummaging in a big old tombola full of terminology. Chuckles ahoy! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

Following on from last week's episode about forging a career as a writer, we get some insight on the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and everything they do for working writers, with special guest and deputy co-chair of the Guild, William Gallagher. We also talk about ensuring writing competitions are fair and legit, copyright, how to deal with inappropriate treatment, plus a cheeky topical chat about AI. Find out more about the WGGB at https://writersguild.org.uk/ Follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheWritersGuild And William is on Twitter too https://twitter.com/WGallagher Or have a look at his Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamGallagher You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This week we get a bit more practical with our thoughts as we consider ways that people might turn their writing into a career. We cover topics like building up solid sample scripts, how to get noticed, creating and maintaining contacts and the big doozy of money. Plus a good old existential discussion of how much it all matters at the end of the day. You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This week we're joined by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, the co-founder of Box of Tricks Theatre, a new writing focused theatre company based in the north of England. We learn about the many initiatives they run, as well as generally discussing why theatre is such an exciting medium and how to get involved in it. Find out more about Box of Tricks here: https://boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk/ Follow them on X : https://x.com/bottc You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

Comedy, drama, comedy drama, we're thinking about all of them this episode. What defines different genres? How much does it matter? And how many times will we refer to Fleabag. Find out by listening in! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This week we're joined by Empress of the sketch, Gemma Arrowsmith, as we think about the mechanics and qualities which can make for hilarious and effective sketches, how to be economic with your writing and extolling the virtues of creating comedy for radio. You can find out more on Gemma's website http://gemmaarrowsmith.com/ Listen to her sketch show here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001c6v8 You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game

This time we're taking a look at characters, how they can make strong impressions, the balance between clarity and complexity, and how audiences may respond to characters. It's an accompanying piece to Thinking About Protagonists from series one, if you've not listened to that one before! You can follow the podcast on social media: x.com/writing_pod instagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_pod Or search for Thinking About Writing on Facebook. Find out more about Robin and even make an enquiry about getting notes on your script at robinleetaylor.com And if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing Mixing by Peter Thompson Music by Chris Stamper Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/ Design by Adam Smith If you'd like to come and see Robin's new comedy play, 'The "How Are You?" Game' at the Etcetera Theatre in London from Sept 30th to Oct 2nd at 7pm, then find tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-how-are-you-game