A new 'my first time'

My first official rejection arrived today in the form of an email from Radio 4 RFTP (see earlier blog posts). Quite exciting really! I'm sure however that they become less exciting as they mount up, at the moment it's just nice to have a visual reminder that I had completed and entered something. Good on R4 too for sending them out to everyone, it's horrible to be stuck in the maybe-wondering whether anyone of influence has recognised your true genius. In this case clearly not but then I had already worked this out after reading Jason Arnopp's post last week.

First Draft

It's been a productive week on the work front (productive by my standards- probably not by anyone else's). Tuesday saw the start of my script writing class for this year. The task set over Christmas was to write a 10-15 page theatre script based on the outlines we all did last year. So I that's what I did, sort of!

Actually, what really happened was this; I either procrastinated/was genuinely too busy/or plain ignored the pressing task right through Christmas and New Year. With hindsight I like to think that this was because of nagging doubts about the original story and outline. Finally on Tuesday- the day of the class, I sat down at 9.30am and wrote all 10 pages. Not the original outline but something completely different, an idea that seeded in my brain some months ago which I now realise had been growing without me realising it- hence being able to bang it straight out onto the screen, funny how writing happens like that sometimes. It's the first draft so it needs more work (obviously) but I am hoping it might develop into something submit worthy. I still have my abandoned outline to make something of too- if I can. I think it was too Christmassy in tone, I don't mean the plot was anything Christmas related but it was written mid- December and has that feel about it, now post- Christmas I just can't get into it. Weird.

Annoyance of the week is not being able to get ScriptSmart to download. I had it on my old PC but now have a laptop with Vista/ Office 2007 which doesn't appear compatible. If anyone reads this and has any ideas they will be gratefully received. Of course what I really want to do is buy a copy of Final Draft but sadly that's just not financially viable at the moment. Although... maybe if I sold one of the children...Hmm tempting.

Back to normal, well almost...

Happy New Year one and all.

Christmas is over and despite best intentions I am way behind with my two plays and my Eng Lit work. Thought I would be able to catch up this week unfortunately hubby is ill and and the childminder is on holiday ( a very bad combination on the getting anything done front).

Highlights of the last month include;

Doctor Who - I enjoyed this years Xmas special much more than the previous 2007, I never quite got to grips with Kylie's character although I'm not sure why. A new doctor on the horizon too, everyone seems to have an opinion, personally I think he looks fab and I can't wait to see the Smith/Moffatt episodes.

Wicked- the musical. Went to see it with my daughter for her birthday, I'm not generally a fan of musicals but this was pretty good. Amazing stage and costume design and the cast are excellent.

Othello- the subject of my next essay so I have booked tickets for the Lenny Henry production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Feb. Northern Broadsides shows are usually pretty good so I can't wait.

Anyway back to work... I will not procrastinate this year, repeat after me, I will not...