Fi Phillips

I've always had a specific approach to getting writing done. I write. Then I wander around, get a coffee, do some housework, while I think about the next stage in my my writing. Then I write some more. I've always done that, whether working on a play, my novel or these blog posts, and it's been an effective way to get things done in the past. It doesn't work, however, when you're writing to a time limit. I have 20 minutes to write this email, or I have an hour and a half to turn this bullet list into an informative piece on productivity, all under the remit of a client. When it's my own time, it's fine to have those 'brainstorm' walks but when I'm writing for a client who doesn't want to pay for any more time than they have to, the wanderings are out of the question. It's a new puzzle to solve. I need more focus within a tighter time frame. I have to 'parent' myself like I do my children as I drag them through the door ...

I'm currently working on a murder mystery play that is set in a shed. Okay, it's a large shed, but still the scenes have to keep the play interesting in the way that they utilise the space so I was delighted to come across 6 tips on making similar scenes feel different  on The Other Side of the Story. Have a look.

I've recently finished a new murder mystery play called Thoroughly Murdered Millie . Set in the 1920s, rich young widow Millie Harper-Smythe shocks her family (and the staff) with her plans for the future. Her stepchildren will lose their home, William the butler has no choice but to emigrate and who knows what she has in mind for the gardener? Can anyone stop her? You can find this play over on the Murdering The Text website. Have a look .

Well, actually they have to build the stage, set, lighting rig - you get my drift - but the intention is there. The initial 'pantomime' meeting took place this week and production planning is underway. The first three scenes of the pantomime have been received with general applause and now I have the summer to finish the script, including and bearing in mind the many suggestions that came out of the meeting. I've been asked to fit in lots of mentions of the local area, a dog and a cat (as well as the already planned mice and horse) and a goth fairy godmother, in addition to thinking up new lyrics for 'Three Little Maids from School'. I now know the stage layout and the technical capabilities of the production team so all I have to do is put pen to paper. One realisation that came to mind at the meeting was how much I love to write parts for actors that I know. Each person has an individual rhythm to the way they speak which I attempt to fit to their dialogue. I also...