Not strictly a writing post but I wanted to share the guide I wrote for the village.
So here goes.
Oh and if you see any errors or options I have missed then please shout.
How to chat with friends and family with video.
First of all it is not scary and it is not hard. Grandparents and Grandkids have used this system to chat to each other for years. Here are some systems you can use.
 
Skype:
Most people with windows have this already installed. Most of you have probably already used it.
This allows

• Group calls of up to 50 people for free.
• It works on mobiles, tablets and computers.
• Chat to people who do not use Skype by sending them a link. You can even set up a meeting where you are the only Skype user.
• You can get fancy sharing views of what is on your screen, video recordings, powerpoint, etc but most of you will have no need for that.
• There is more info here. https://www.skype.com/en/
  

Most people with a windows computer will have this already installed. If you don’t then:

• Click on the link here. https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/
• Click on Get Skype for Windows button. (The little down arrow lets you change to Mac or Linux if that is your operating system.)
• Follow the instructions.
• You may get a window pop up asking if you want to allow it to make changes to your system. For this software you can say yes.

So you have Skype on your computer. What do you do now?

• Well, open it of course.
• Now you will need to sign in. Use your Microsoft account if you have one to sign in. As in use that email and password. If you don’t have one it will prompt you. Don’t worry. Just do what it says.
• You will see a panel on the left hand side. If you click on the Contacts button you will see your contacts. People you are set up to chat to. If you are new this will be empty. Don’t worry.
• Click on the search window, People, groups and messages. At the bottom of the panel an option will appear to invite people. Click on it and the easiest option is just to invite by email. When they accept they will appear in your contact area.

You are ready to go. 
Now you can keep Skype open all the time but it does slow things down a bit. Instead it is probably best to agree a time with your friends then all go on then. If you do keep it open it will let you know when someone wants to contact you. Like having your door open so people know they can pop in and chat.

Facebook Messenger:
A lot of people are on facebook but may not be aware that the messenger system does video too.
This allows

• Groups of up to 6 people for free.
• You can then add to make the group as big as 50 once the call it is running but only one person will be shown on the screen with this option. Good for lessons but not so great for a group chat.

So how do you do it.

• Go on facebook or messenger.
• Click on the person or group you want to chat to. They are in your contact list on the right-hand panel of facebook.
• You will see an option at the top of your usual chat box that looks like a simple video camera. Click on it.
• A window will pop up and, if they accept, you are up and running.

 
Zoom:
Really for groups, lectures, meetings, etc but can be used for one to one. Don’t be intimidated by the professional website. It is so easy to use.
This allows

• Unlimited 1 to 1 chats for free.
• Group meetings of up to 100 people for a max 40mins free. Or just set up another meeting a couple of minutes later for the same group and carry on. Yes that works.
• To add more people or run a group for longer you need to pay £11.99 a month.

To install:

• Go here. https://zoom.us/pricing
• Sign up and follow the instructions.
• They have set up assistance for those wanting to do work, meetings etc at this time. See here https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html

I was on a conference call of 51 of us the other evening. Three did the talking. The rest of us contributed with the chat panel, otherwise it would have been bedlam. It was smooth and easy.
 
Facetime:
This is an option for those with iPhone, iPad or iPod devices. I have mentioned it so you are aware but I know nothing about this one. I am sure someone else will add to this. Some info here. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204380
 
WhatsApp:
This allows

• Group chats of up to 4 people free.
• You may get data charges on your phone if you are not using your home wifi system.
  
• Works on phones, Mac and Windows.

To install:

• On your phone go to your Google store or Apple store and download the app.
• Or click on here https://www.whatsapp.com/ and click on your operating system; iPhone for Apple phones, Android for other phones and Mac or Windows PC for your computer.

What do you do?
Well there is a good guide here. https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/26000026/?category
It walks you through it.

Worth following these if you ever wondered what it was like to attend the festival.   Tickets are selling out fast. Hope to see you there.

Mark has written a lovely post about our twisted experience writing the latest book. Get your copy here!

And here is my installment of the Short Story to Feature two parter.
You can read it here on Into The Script. A great site for writing advice from Olivia Brennan.

Mark Walker has written installment one of a post on whether Short Stories make good Feature Films. It has been published on Olivia Brennan's Into The Story. A great site for writing advice.
See the post here. Part two by me is next week.

Well here it is. The big announcement. Terror Bites!!!!!
Four writers of horror gathered together but I think the brains behind the operation, Emma,  tells it the best.
Terror Bites is a collection of short horror stories written by four deranged writers. It’s a charity anthology dedicated to dear friends who were given their angel wings too soon and to others still battling the beast known as cancer. Our chosen charity, FUCK CANCER, provides hope and joy to people who are living with cancer. We hope to raise as much as possible so they can continue to provide this important lifeline.
Here is a taster from each author.

First the master herself... Emma Pullar.

Then the wickedly naughty... Steve Pool.

Mustn't forget the evilly sinister... Mark Walker.

And finally the modest and angelic... MEEEEE!!!!!

You can get the ebook right now. It is 20 terrifying stories, each just long enough to chill your bones in your coffee break. Only 99p in the UK here or $1.27 in the USA here.
Paperback coming very, very soon!!!

Yes I have been very quiet recently. With my new office I have been able to do a lot more writing and get organised.
Currently working on a radio play, a couple of feature scripts and a novel. I like to skip between them. Sometimes literally.
However...
There is a big announcement coming at halloween so remember to pop by and find out what it is!
Happy haunting.

For years I have written with my laptop balanced on the arm of the sofa. Not the best situation, especially when I am trying to put myself into work mode.
But, as the fledglings leave the nest, space becomes available.
For the past few months one of the bedrooms has been emptied, ripped apart, rewired, painted and carpeted. The end result is I now have my own writing space in one corner with arts and crafts in the other.
The room will need to multi-task as a guest room. Fledglings do fly back for visits. But for the majority of the time it is mine, all mine. Mwa ha ha.
Now I need to get my head down and do some hard writing. Deadlines looming and new projects to start.

Today was the big panic day of the LSF. There are only so many pitch slots and a lot of people after them.
Most of us have spent weeks researching the pitching victims, aka Executives. What have they made, what are they making, what are they planning to make, are they human beings, will they rip me to pieces with an evil villain cackle...?
We have been putting info in spreadsheets, most based on the brilliant Dee Chilton's annual effort. Scoring the Execs from 1-4 and which sessions have the highest total score.
Is it better to have this session with the most 1 scorers or that one which has the most 1 and 2 scorers? But then there is the other session with the one person who is actually perfect. They can't fail to declare your brilliance and pay you huge sums for your spec script. Oscars lie ahead.
The computer or phone is set up. You have the clock ticking, the pitch booking page open ready to refresh, the LSFConnect chatroom going with everyone passing frantic notes. The count down is on.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. It hits high noon and you refresh your page. You pick your session. Noooo. Others were faster and it is full in seconds. Dive for your second or third choice. Done. Slump in your seat and let your heart calm down.
Then reality kicks in. Have I actually got something to pitch? Do I have an idea or a treatment that they might want to see developed? Will I do something stupid and convince them I am a psycho they never want to see again.
Just a note on that one. Each year I have done one really cringingly embarrassing thing. Something that makes my stomach want to leap up and rip out my tongue. We all do it. Just store it in that dark corner of your psyche and carry on.
So back to the pitching. In previous years I have gone in with a plan of what project I pitch to which person. Some got the same project. Doesn't matter.
This year most of my stuff is early draft or treatment stage. So instead I am just going to chat about my projects, what they are doing and what they hope to see. If I can make them laugh then all the better.
If you are going to be pitching at the festival and didn't get your perfect slot, don't despair. Perfection is a relative concept and full of illusion.
Best tip I can give that has served me well.
If you see a seat free then sit on it. Let them know it your project wasn't what they said they were looking for but seeing as you are both free would you like to hear it? Always got a yes and often followed by "I am looking for more than on the details you got." At the worst it is a practice run.
I will be heading there on Thursday. If you see me feel free to say hello. I love to chat.