Thinking About Writing

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

The first special guest of season two is Jonathan Harvey! Having written for theatre, TV, film and radio, he offers his perspectives on the different mediums. He also looks back at the journey of his classic creation Beautiful Thing, the joys of writing for Coronation Street and his current play Mother Goose starring John Bishop and Ian McKellan.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JOJEHARVEY

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

I don't believe it! We're kicking off season two by thinking about believability, how to make writing feel authentic and why it may or may not matter. There's a plethora of terminology to demystify, including emotional reality, internal logic and the suspension of disbelief.  So if you're worried about audience incredulity, this is the place to be!

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

If you want to support the show you can become a Patron via patreon.com/Thinking About Writing

And follow, rate and review the podcast and I'll give you a big non-physical, consensual kiss. 

Music by Chris Stamper
Illustration by Matt Miles https://www.instagram.com/datmattmiles/
Design by Adam Smith

It's time for Season Two: Electric Boogaloo. So here's a little explanation of what you can expect from upcoming episodes. More interviews, slightly more concise and consistent durations, ongoing strange singing choices.

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