Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines

So, the Doctors episode is finally put to bed (last minute hitch when they realised it was too long and I had to spend yesterday cutting it down to size).

So, "What's next?", I say to myself.

And then I panic. July is jam-packed full of deadlines. I've known about them for ages, but then they sort of disappeared into the background. But now they're looming.

• ASAP. Now (like, right now) would be a good time to get more Doctors ideas submitted while they still remember how much they like my work.
• 5 July. Cheltenham Screenwriters Festival. Not a deadline exactly, but it would be good to have a few treatments in my bag when I get there (all that networking, you know).
• 9 July. First interviews for the BBC Writers' Academy. I probably won't be called, but there's no point applying unless you're ready when the time comes. So that means spending a bit of time thinking about continuing drama, and preparing for the inquisition.
• 13 July. UK Film Council "25 Words or Less" deadline. One page summary and ten pages of script. Oh, yes, and I need a story.

And I have 8 "writing days" between now and 5 July.

Hmm. Discipline and dedication required.

Progress report

A quick progress report, on the off-chance that anybody's interested.


My application for the BBC Writers' Academy was submitted on time. Mine and a few thousand others. Fingers crossed (mine and a few thousand others).


Draft #1 of Episode 111, Series 9 of Doctors was well-received. A couple of pages of notes.

Considering it's totally unlike any other episode of Doctors (ever) and anyone tuning in after the first five minutes might think they've entered a parallel universe, that's pretty good.

I sent in Draft #2 last night.

Interestingly, there are two new regular characters in my episode. One I can't tell you about (all very hush, hush), but the other, Vivien, made her first appearance just the other day and I caught up with it on the Sky Plus box last night after I'd sent Draft #2 off. She isn't anything like I'd imagined! I might have to tweak her a bit in Draft #3. But I won't have the chance to tweak the other newcomer so it's going to be interesting to see how they turn out. My first episode co-starred Joe, and I didn't even know what he looked like when I wrote it.


It's dawned on me that, once this is done and dusted, I'll be back to square one. I currently have no other Doctors ideas in the bank. Something must be done about it. I think a day of sitting somewhere comfortable with a lot of coffee and an open note pad might do the trick.

And then there's writing up all those series ideas, and getting something sorted for the Film Council's 25 Words or Less by mid July. And there's work (ie the real stuff wot pays). And then there's a family trip to Disneyland Paris at half term. And the garden's a right old mess at the moment. And the garage needs to be knocked down and replaced. Hmm. Busy, busy.

It's all happening...

The Film Council has launched a new 25 Words or Less competition. They didn't exactly shout about it, but it's there on their website. Don't know how long it's been up.

And the Beeb have told the entire world about their hunt for 8 new Academicians. My application will be in the post shortly.

I've decided to go to Cheltenham again this year. Just the Thursday and Friday. Anyone else heading that way?

And finally, some good news on the Doctors front. I've had a story outline accepted and banked. I think it must be some kind of record - I sent a second draft in to my script editor on Friday, and it was banked by Monday afternoon. It's for a standalone episode, and my man doesn't have one allocated to him at the moment, but, as soon as he does then we can get started.