My Writing Life - Part Two

We're back after a little hiatus, and still messing around with the title formats!This episode Robin has a bit of a think about cliches, another writing device which can feel like a proper no-no. But maybe they're not as bad as all that and there are valid reasons why they can pop up in writing. We'll go over how familiar writing tropes may factor in concepts, stories, characters and dialogue, why subversion can be an effective but risky solution and how cliches can be given fresh life through new perspectives.If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

Settle in to hear some tales of what it's like being on the writing staff for a long running TV sitcom as part of the writer's room. Robin talks about his time on BBC comedy My Family, including the nature of a writer's room and a show runner, the day to day process, the unwritten etiquette of how to pitch and contribute, and why these environments can be so important and we need more of them, especially in the UK. Enjoy the randomly placed musical bits as this was originally intended as bonus content, as well as the very subtle replacement of a rude word to keep the podcast nice and polite.After this episode there will be a one or two week gap, but stay tuned for the last couple of episodes of the season.

It's time for some simple and complex thinking about the qualities of simplicity and complexity. These are qualities which many would consider desirable in a script, but some might think are negative. We'll consider how a mix of the two can create great scripts, and applying them to concepts, stories and characters can ensure depth and dimensions, but also clarity and comprehension.And it's a pretty short episode as it was the middle of a heatwave when Robin recorded it and he melted halfway through. So that's nice. If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

This episode, Robin talks about the process of conceptualising, writing and gearing up to perform a new one person play, 'The "How Are You?" Game'. (You may have heard him promote it on this show!)He discusses the origin of the idea from personal experiences, the challenges and doubts which cropped up as he wrote, and the steps a writer may take to progress a script from the page to the real world. It's a frank story of getting back to writing and theatre after some time away, and how it's always worthwhile pursuing our dreams.If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

A slightly more traditional episode this week as we think about writing devices. What are the increasingly common tools writers use to subvert traditional, linear story telling? What can they contribute to a script? And how do we writers ensure they are being applied effectively?Also a rather frenzied appraisal of mockumentaries!If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

In this second part of Robin's recollections of his life as a writer he talks about his time writing for BBC sitcoms 'Two Pints of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps' and 'My Family'. This includes learning on the job, moving from a junior team member to a lead writer, as well his solo endeavours.He also describes the psychological toll of trying to make it and worrying that your moment has passed. But how this eventually led to new opportunities as a script editor and a podcaster. Plus some general philosophies on getting an agent, standing out, and why so many of us love writing.If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

So series four is a bit of personal one, and with that in mind, Robin recounts his life as a writer. Looking back on what first got him hooked on writing, early forays into theatre and finding his style, before a talent search he almost didn't enter provides his big break. This first part looks at the origin of creative ambitions, the power of encouragement and finding an audience, as well as battling through doubts and insecurities.If you want to get in touch with questions, comments, or enquiries about hiring Robin as your script editor then head here!

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.comFind us on social media by searching for writing_pod

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_podinstagram.com/writing_pod tiktok.com/@writing_podtiktok.com/@writing_podOr 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.comAnd if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About WritingMusic by Chris StamperIllustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/Design by Adam Smith

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_podinstagram.com/writing_podtiktok.com/@writing_podOr 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.comAnd if you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About WritingMusic by Chris StamperIllustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/Design by Adam Smith