I’m having a wee creative burst at the moment and am trying my hand at new things. New styles of writing, new genres.
I want to grow in my writing.
This is my attempt at parodying these kind of ‘experts’ that seem to be popping up everywhere, wanting to try and poke fun at them a little, see where it went. Have a go at creating a character.
And the mangetout thing was a real thing said to me by a very middle class friend😂😂😂
Oh that was so funny. It made me think of Joyce Grenfell's monologues and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads. I think that takes great skill: using one voice to allow the reader to make their own mental pictures. You nailed it. Loved it.
I nearly took this piece down because I thought “what’s the point, I’ve messed it up, I’ve just got an odd sense of humour”.
It’s so much harder to try and write funny than anything other genre I think. Makes you feel incredibly vulnerable.
I had been reading Alan Bennett just a few weeks ago (not funny but ‘A Cream cracker under the settee’ is a long time fave) and could almost see a young Julie Walters reading this.
So yes, I nearly pressed delete, got all self conscious. Thanks so much.
Even if you are the only person that ends up liking it, I know you have good taste and trust your judgment xx
Oh good heavens, the thought that you could have deleted something so good. If you really have misgivings about a piece just leave it a while and go back to it later. I have noticed with bewilderment that some of the pieces I have had the least confidence in have gone down as well or better than ones I was fairly happy with. I have given up trying to call it.
You may know this but When Talking Heads was first on television in the 1980s Julie Walters did do one of the monologues. I can't remember what it was called but it was the one about the actress. Thora Hird did A Cream Cracker Under The Settee. Brilliant.
I find your writing brave, witty and honest. Keep away from the delete button please!
Talking Heads was great. I recorded them all on VHS when they were broadcast and eventually gave them to a teacher friend to use in class. Quality stuff 😊
I started reading this the day you posted it and got distracted and forgot to come back to it. I agree with the commenters who have mentioned Joyce Grenfell, Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood. I also see some Roald Dahl in there - like there’s a tide of darkness ready to spill out from behind the camp and whimsy. Like Victoria Wood doing an episode of Black Mirror. Keep experimenting with your writing. So many diamonds.
I’m not familiar with Joyce Grenfell so maybe I should look her up.
Just wanted to try something different
Not sure everyone got it/could be arsed to read it, but fair enough. It’s probably one that would come across better if acted/read by the right person which I actually tried to do but couldn’t get and maintain an accent/voice I was happy with as i heard her in my head, so I scrapped that idea. Thank goodness (know your limits!) 😬😳😂😂
I am proud of this one anyway, because it took me in a new direction writing wise and as such, it felt brave to put it out there. To grow at anything you have to be bold and try new things don’t you?
More of a play than a ‘story’ really because there’s no description other than what the character themself delivers. I was trying to write the sort of monologue that amuses me that I’ve heard performed as a radio/TV play or even a sketch.
It would be easy to keep churning out the same old shit but I’d like to try new stuff, develop. Who wants to be a one trick pony?
People say write a novel but I feel a world away from that (no patience!😂) but the more I stretch myself, it may open me up to possibilities.
Trying to write humour is scary as it’s that fine line with subtle/cliché and obviously we all find different things funny, don’t we?
Plus I know it’s a bit long and not everyone cba to read that much. So when it hardly gets any likes, I’m trying to keep those factors in mind
I’m having a wee creative burst at the moment and am trying my hand at new things. New styles of writing, new genres.
I want to grow in my writing.
This is my attempt at parodying these kind of ‘experts’ that seem to be popping up everywhere, wanting to try and poke fun at them a little, see where it went. Have a go at creating a character.
And the mangetout thing was a real thing said to me by a very middle class friend😂😂😂
Oh that was so funny. It made me think of Joyce Grenfell's monologues and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads. I think that takes great skill: using one voice to allow the reader to make their own mental pictures. You nailed it. Loved it.
That, Julia, means the absolute world to me.
I nearly took this piece down because I thought “what’s the point, I’ve messed it up, I’ve just got an odd sense of humour”.
It’s so much harder to try and write funny than anything other genre I think. Makes you feel incredibly vulnerable.
I had been reading Alan Bennett just a few weeks ago (not funny but ‘A Cream cracker under the settee’ is a long time fave) and could almost see a young Julie Walters reading this.
So yes, I nearly pressed delete, got all self conscious. Thanks so much.
Even if you are the only person that ends up liking it, I know you have good taste and trust your judgment xx
Oh good heavens, the thought that you could have deleted something so good. If you really have misgivings about a piece just leave it a while and go back to it later. I have noticed with bewilderment that some of the pieces I have had the least confidence in have gone down as well or better than ones I was fairly happy with. I have given up trying to call it.
You may know this but When Talking Heads was first on television in the 1980s Julie Walters did do one of the monologues. I can't remember what it was called but it was the one about the actress. Thora Hird did A Cream Cracker Under The Settee. Brilliant.
I find your writing brave, witty and honest. Keep away from the delete button please!
Oh thank you so much lovely.
Yes I love all those plays. “A woman of no importance” is also amazing, so poignant.
I don’t know the Joyce Grenfell ones, perhaps I should check them out though.
Talking Heads was great. I recorded them all on VHS when they were broadcast and eventually gave them to a teacher friend to use in class. Quality stuff 😊
I started reading this the day you posted it and got distracted and forgot to come back to it. I agree with the commenters who have mentioned Joyce Grenfell, Alan Bennett and Victoria Wood. I also see some Roald Dahl in there - like there’s a tide of darkness ready to spill out from behind the camp and whimsy. Like Victoria Wood doing an episode of Black Mirror. Keep experimenting with your writing. So many diamonds.
I’m not familiar with Joyce Grenfell so maybe I should look her up.
Just wanted to try something different
Not sure everyone got it/could be arsed to read it, but fair enough. It’s probably one that would come across better if acted/read by the right person which I actually tried to do but couldn’t get and maintain an accent/voice I was happy with as i heard her in my head, so I scrapped that idea. Thank goodness (know your limits!) 😬😳😂😂
I am proud of this one anyway, because it took me in a new direction writing wise and as such, it felt brave to put it out there. To grow at anything you have to be bold and try new things don’t you?
Loved it julie.. ❤️
No end to your talent
Oh cheers.
More of a play than a ‘story’ really because there’s no description other than what the character themself delivers. I was trying to write the sort of monologue that amuses me that I’ve heard performed as a radio/TV play or even a sketch.
It would be easy to keep churning out the same old shit but I’d like to try new stuff, develop. Who wants to be a one trick pony?
People say write a novel but I feel a world away from that (no patience!😂) but the more I stretch myself, it may open me up to possibilities.
Trying to write humour is scary as it’s that fine line with subtle/cliché and obviously we all find different things funny, don’t we?
Plus I know it’s a bit long and not everyone cba to read that much. So when it hardly gets any likes, I’m trying to keep those factors in mind
My excuses and I’m sticking to em
😂😂 x
It reminded me of a Victoria Wood sketch too - Kitty character. You have a real gift.
Not sure I know the Kitty character - shall have a Google - but certainly was getting some Victoria Wood vibes coming through as I wrote it.:)
Loved reading that - I know a few people just like that!
Oh good!
Pleased to hear you enjoyed it.
My first attempt at writing anything in that style.
Round here where I live, ‘gurus’ are ten a penny. Everyone thinks they’re an ‘expert’😂😂