So you want to be a writer? Top tips from those who know
Advice from some prominent writers in TV, theatre and film on how to break into the industry
Jennifer Tuckett
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Many students dream of being a writer but it can be one of the hardest professions to get into, as jobs are not usually advertised.
A new partnership between Oberon Books and the MA in dramatic writing at the Drama Centre London at Central Saint Martins is泭set to address that. The partnership will launch two books offering advice and tips for students from those who have succeeded in泭theatre, television, film, radio and digital media industries.
In the lead-up to the launch, here are some of their top tips, adapted from one of the books. 泭
What can you do with an English literature degree?
What can you do with a performing arts degree?
John Yorke, founder of the BBC Writers Academy and the former head of drama at Channel 4 and controller of BBC Drama Production
When I first started, Matthew Graham, a British television writer, was 23 years old and was writing on EastEnders. I commented on how young he was and he said, Ive been doing this forever. Ive been writing in my room since I was 13 years old. Thats the secret. You just have to write all the time. You have to learn from your mistakes.
Practice makes perfect. If you work consistently and泭steadily over a huge period of time, you will learn.泭There are certain principles that govern drama and you cannot write properly until you understand what they are and why they are there. It is not about obeying or disobeying rules. Its about mastering craft skills.
Why are there so few women in the arts?
Five tips to make the most of your university experience
How do I choose a master's?
Why study a PhD in English literature?
Philip Shelley, founder of the Channel 4 screenwriting course
Youve just got to stick at it really because you only need one person to like your work. If you write a script and it is rejected by 15 people and one person takes it on, thats all you need. You will get a lot of knock-backs.泭
When youre working with a script editor for the first time and youre not used to it, its hard. We ask a lot of questions that writers dont want to be asked about their work. Some people thrive in that environment and some people find it difficult.
I think the most important thing is youve got to please yourself. If you dont feel a huge sense of pride and excitement in your script, then you can be pretty sure that no one else is going to feel that either. Dont send your script out to people until you feel that you can get behind it and it fulfils you as a writer. Find potential employers who are going to be excited by your work.泭
Its all about finding your identity as a writer. The more work you do, the more you will know your strengths and weaknesses as a writer.
Ola Animashawun, founder of the Royal Court Theatres young writers programme
What Im interested in is passion, and that relates to the whole idea of being engaged and walking away when youre not engaged. Partly the reason youre not engaged is because theres not enough passion or care involved.
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