So, is it all about the writing - or not?

Michelle Lipton has kindly posted extracts from an article about what people advise those trying to break in at the medical drama series Casualty. [Read more here.] In the comments section we got into a discussion about whether or not great writing alone will get you a gig. Here's one of my contributions to the discussion...

So, is it all about the writing - or not?

Well, I guess there’s an element of dues paying to be done. On the Doctors mini-academy, everybody had paid their dues somewhere to get their shot - theatre, radio, novels, TV. People who had tried out, failed and come back for more

Sometimes I think writing is like getting a driving licence. Many people fail the practical first time of asking [I did, back before the dawn of time]. Does that make you a bad driver? No, just an inexperienced, nervous driver.

You want a licence, you go away, learn more, practice more, you take the test again.

The difference is look how many people have driving licences in Britain alone. Millions.

How many people write a broadcast episode of EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City in any given year? Maybe 100 in total. Another 100 on Doctors, at a wild, flailing guess.

So, no, I guess it’s not all about the writing, just like getting a licence isn’t all about the driving. It’s about the practice, the practical knowledge and experience - and all the other things that make a good driver, or a great writer.

Then there’s instinct, talent, being able to work and play well with others, and so many other things…

Still, nobody said it would be easy. Alas.