New Features

Okay, you should have noticed something about the homepage! There are two new links… One for the Chatroom and one for the Forum…

The first was set for the group in involved in setting up the new website to market our plays. But obviously I’m on there (probably more often than I should be!)

Do drop by and have a chat… You’re more than likely to run into one of the loonies that are setting up this new site – but trust me, they don’t bite too often.

I’ve also set up a Discussion Forum. Here you can get the chance to talk about each of the plays I have written. Better still, if you have acted in, or seen one of the plays – here’s your chance to let everyone know what you thought of it!

I’ve also included sections about the writing process, how to get your plays noticed… And a chance to make comments about these Rambles.

I hope you enjoy the new features – and hope to hear from you soon.

A New Muse

First a confession! I’ve put my Work in Progress (WIP) ‘The Breakfast Show’ on hold.
Why? Because a new muse has become resident. Certain recent events have given me the inspiration to write a new play… And it’s scaring me… I have never written this fast before! And the quality it stunning me.

I can’t reveal too much at the moment – but when a Muse arrives, you end up giving up your food, drink and family to satisfy her!

I hope to give you far more information in a couple of weeks… But for now, I’m going to have to leave you guessing… Let’s just say that this is a first for me!

The Play's The Thing

And before anyone asks, no I haven’t been thrown out of the competition!

I did say in a previous Ramble that if I mentioned The Play’s The Thing again, then it would be a bad sign. But this is anything but (and no, that doesn’t mean that I’ve been short-listed – we don’t find out until the end of September 05).

The reason I make this Ramble today is because of the forum that supports it. I have been looking for a forum for playwrights that is genuinely supportive and doesn’t break down into political arguments all the time.

And I have found it in via entering The Play’s The Thing. And to boot, I’ve made some excellent friends – all proactive, all with talent and most of all, all with dreams!

I’ve placed a link on the Links and Resources page. Remember you need to register before you can post yourself (And that can take 24 hours – but trust me, it’s worth the wait!).

Upping The Profile

I've Rambled before about how I've tried to make contacts in order to gain a professional production. I even thought that an Equity card would help me - and I had a chance at a role in a TV series. Well, I've got into the entertainment business at last - it maybe small, but it still counts.

I Rambled before about how my muse returned and that my synopsis and scenario for The Breakfast Show was going well. Just over a month ago, I noticed how a new experimental radio station was setting up in my home town. 'Now that will be a perfect place to conduct some research for the play' thinks I... I emailed them about the possibility of calling in on the studio, explaining what I was trying to write...

The result was that I was asked along to take part in an interview ("We have in the studio a local playwright..."). So I did.

Turns out that the Breakfast Show host and Managing Director of the station (and a few others) was a Sony award winning broadcaster and former Radio 1 DJ. After the interview he asked me if I would be interested in trying out for a slot on the station. Of course I agreed! The next thing I knew, I was in the station hosting my own one-hour slot (albeit that someone was operating the desks for me, and I was just doing the talking). This then made the local papers, giving me something to put in the portfolio. Then I was asked back to do another one-hour slot, but this time running the desk under supervision. This again went well, and as soon as the hour was over, the MD asked me if I would like my own four-hour show solo (i.e. the only person in the studio!).

Sure, I was scared - but it was an opportunity not to be missed, so I agreed.

I did the show and the people listening commented on how good it was (that's real people, not friends and family - they were emailing me all the way through the show).
So what's the result? The station's closed! Okay, we knew that was going to happen, as it was a trial and only allowed to run for 4 weeks. But it looks like the station is going to come back as a permanent fixture (and it could be as soon as 4 months time). AND... I've been asked to become one of the DJs!!!!!

To keep my broadcasting skills in date, I've been asked to guest DJ at one of their other stations while we wait for the trail to become a reality!

Could this be a change of direction?

I hope so!