Writing_Magazine_-_November_2019_UserUpload.Net

8 NOVEMBER 2019 http://www.writers-online.co.uk

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We want to hear your news and views on the writing world, your advice for fellow writers

• and don’t forget to tell us what you would like to see featured in a future issue...

Write to: Letters to the editor, Writing Magazine, Warners

Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds

LS1 5JD; email: [email protected]. (Include your

name and address when emailing letters. Ensure all

letters, a maximum of 250 words, are exclusive to Writing

Magazine. Letters may be edited.)

When referring to previous articles/letters, please state

month of publication and page number.

STAR LETTER

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I have just read the article Screen Dreams (WM, Oct), and feel

I need to make some points with regards to the advice given on

screen writing.

I have just returned to script writing after a sabbatical of

 ve years caring for my father, but previously I have been

shortlisted in the BBC Writers’ Prize and was a  nalist in the

Red Planet Prize, both for script writing. I was invited to be a

part of a BBC Northern Writers’ Group based at Media City

and was a shadow writer on two series of Paul Abbott’s C

comedy-drama Shameless.

A production company would want to see that a script writer

can construct a script showing real character development, great

structure and recognisable story arcs.  ey would not consider,

as suggested, a synopsis and sample scenes. If so the BBC

Writersroom would not insist on full scripts for their submission

windows, and the advice given runs contrary to all my experience

with big, successful production companies.

Although I agree with many of the points in the article,

including being very careful with regards to taking a long period

of time o work, my best advice would be to  nish at least three

or four rigorous drafts of a full script before approaching any

production or television company, or script writing competition.

PAUL ARISS

Prescot, Merseyside

The longest wait?

http://www.writersandartists.co.uk

The star letter each month earns a copy of the

Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2020, courtesy of

Bloomsbury,

Screen your submission

Stabilising writers

We all know that editors are very busy people, so after sending out an article
idea, how soon do we chase it up? Two weeks later? A month? Or should
we just send it off and then move on to the next writing project, safe in the
knowledge that if the editor wants our work, then they’ll get back in touch
with us (hopefully soon)?
I once sent an article to a particular magazine as they accepted unsolicited
manuscripts. I didn’t hear back so I sent a polite follow-up letter a short while
later. When I didn’t hear back again, I presumed the editor wasn’t interested
and so I worked on other pieces of writing for other magazines.
Thirteen years later, I received a letter in the post thanking me for my
wonderful article and informing me that it was going to be featured in the
magazine. It’s a shame it took him thirteen years to realise how wonderful my
article was, but it was an unexpected sale and the pay was rather more than it
was thirteen years ago.
I wonder if other readers can top that wait!
ESTHER CHILTON
Newbury, Berks

I have subscribed to Writing Magazine for many years. Entering

competitions gives me several deadlines to work to, without

which I would procrastinate. I am sometimes envious of the

new subscriber o ers, but if I cancelled my subscription and

missed an issue, I would miss an opportunity.

An opportunity like submitting to Gnome on Pig who have

recently published my book, Dirtbag Danny. I also became

aware of through Writing Magazine that there was an open

submission to Silver Bow Publishing.  is led to my new book

Changelings being published.

So, my new subscriber o er envy has been truly squashed as

my writing is becoming increasingly recognised and out there

to be read by others, all thanks to Writing Magazine.

APRIL MILLER

Shel eld, Walsall

Taking advantage of

opportunities

Adrian Magson’s Beginners article comparing riding

a bike to writing (WM Sep) was very informative

with a lot of good advice but he did forget one thing.

However much we may wobble and almost fall o

there’s something that’s stopping us. We have stabilisers in the form of the latest

edition of the Writing Magazine packed full of good advice to keep us on track.

Now I’ve  nished my very short emailed letter, I can safely take my cycling

helmet o and press send.

DAVID WILLIAMS

Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion

BEGINNERS

Like riding

a bike