It all happened by accident really. As a scriptwriter, I was attending a networking event at the BAFTA's in London, so I had driven down to Slough to stay with my big sister, Deirdre. By trade, she is a marketing contractor, and she was due to attend an interview the same day, but it was cancelled at the last minute. So I suggested she come into London with me - it would be a laugh - but it was more than a laugh, it was the start of Naiad Productions and Marketing Ltd.

You have to be aware that Deirdre, at that point, knew nothing at all about the film industry, but nobody at the event could have possibly guessed that. The professional way she carried herself, her intelligent and amusing conversation, I just knew that she had to be part of the company I was planning to set up. I asked if she was up for it, in shock she agreed, and we got the forms filled out, our new company being incorporated on 20th November 2002.

Well, that was all very exciting, but now the company was real, we had to do something with it. So I picked one of my favourite comedy scripts, Missing You, and set the shoot date for 17th December - after all, just under four weeks was long enough to arrange a film, wasn't it? Okay, so now I'll leave the ensuing few weeks out, it was too full of expletives to go into print!

I worked solidly, early morning to late at night, not only doing the production preparation, which is an arduous task that I never want to repeat, but planning the directing, and worse - ripping apart my beautiful oak panelled living room to make it look like a modern flat for the set!

In the week prior to filming I lost half a stone in weight - and being petite anyway, my ribcage could have doubled as a glockenspeil. A light smoker normally, I puffed on thirty ciggies the day before, and sixty on the day of the shoot. And alcohol - well, we won't even go there! Let's just say Oddbins must have increased their profits twofold because of me.

Waking early on the Tuesday, previously dubbed D Day, I went around the house and woke the six crew and two actors who had already arrived. As they were getting prepared, the two final crew and last actor arrived. We'd had a major hitch the day before, a cameraman who was going to film a documentary about the film had broken down on the A34, miles away. It was his head gasket, so he was towed home, along with the important equipment he was bringing. We had to arrange to hire these at the last minute, so when the editor finally brought them over from Leeds, we were due to start filming three hours late.

So, at last everything was ready. Actors in place, sound - camera - and then they all looked at me! I was supposed to shout action! My directorial debut was destroyed, how could they all respect me when I didn't even know something so obvious - I almost cried. But once we'd got into the swing of things, the nerves from everybody abated, and a strong, creative team was born.

The day was long and hard, but not without laughter, particularly when the lead actress, a stunningly beautiful and articulate professional, Meera Kumar, got so much into her role that when she was supposed to slap her 'boyfriend' (played by the handsome Jason Coward), she forgot to act. His next line was 'That didn't hurt!' and he struggled with the line, when it clearly had, until we all dissolved in giggles. Great outtake! And the make-up lady had one less job, his face really was red where she'd walloped him!

Jason then spent the rest of the shoot suffering from nerves - the final scene due to be shot was one where Meera had to knee him in his unmentionables. She promised she wouldn't permanently ruin his chances of fatherhood, but you could see in his eyes that he really didn't trust this woman any more. But his tackle was left intact, and filming finally wrapped at ten thirty in the evening.

The buzz you get from making a film is tremendous, I cannot explain the high, all I can say is I cannot understand anybody in this business who takes drugs - there's no need. We proceeded on to the important bit, the wrap party. Beers flowed, wine corks popped, music blared, there was laughter, there was chatter, it was fun, fun, fun. Gradually the people due to drive the next day trundled off to bed, and the hardened drinkers started a game of spin the bottle. The memory of my thirteen year old daughter, who had unexpectedly had to stand in as runner when the previous runner went home, sprinting around the house in the early hours of the morning, screaming 'I'm a woman', as a dare, will stay with me forever.

So we did it. Me, my big sister, the fabulous crew, the fantastic actors that we were lucky enough to have. We made our first film. During the day of the shoot I was saying never again, why put yourself through this stress, but the next day I was planning the second film! We're now in pre-production for Bedtime Stories, shooting will be on the 20th February, and d'you know something? I really, really can't wait!

I was present at the initial launch of the book "How to Devise a Game Show" by David J Bodycombe and immediately ordered a copy. It is written for would-be games show devisors and for TV companies. Does it fall between the two stools?

I re-read the introduction more carefully which states that "both audiences have different requirements, and as such different parts of the guide will be more relevant than others." This review is from the devisor's standpoint.

I bought my first car back in 1972 - a second-hand MkII Ford Cortina - which broke down just outside the garage. The next day I bought a maintenance manual. Parts of that manual became essential reading and some pages were well-thumbed while others remained untouched.

I had got as far as devising a games show myself but, like my Cortina, it had broken down somewhere and I wanted to fix it. I needed the help of someone who really knows the 'ins and outs' of game shows. David's book suits that prime purpose - a devisor's maintenance manual to do things the right way, to follow step-by-step checklists, to make it work and then get the fine tuning correct.

Of course, like a car manual, it also gives basic information and, conversely, detailed specifications.

I found the checklists of testing an idea extremely helpful. Where had I made the mistakes in my attempt? The show worked but I had got both the audience wrong and, obviously, the time-slot. Mine is not the prime time show I thought it was.

I'm not disheartened. The book also gives me information about other companies and outlets that may be interested in my game show.

The segments on jeopardy I found interesting. If there is no jeopardy, there is nothing to get excited about. Will the contestant lose the game? Does everybody win? Where's the fun in that?

There are many segments in the manual regarding specific shows. For instance, a discussion about the plethora of "reality" shows such as Big Brother. On one channel I watch it's called "Aquarium" and involves a lot of advertising and stage-managed plots. Other countries don't allow these or are more subtle. David compares all these related facets. I may even resurrect my reality show idea about the Number Eleven Trolley Bus Route! My collaborator partner was a TV producer... and he did send me a Christmas card. There's likely to be some well-thumbed pages in this manual too.

As David writes, it's important to ask yourself if you have an idea or a complete format. Ideas are the easy bit. Keep going!

Not yet made your new year's resolutions? Your E-zine editor suggests a festive few:

1. I will write something every day.

2. While having guests to stay, what I write about will not include the trials of my mother in law visiting.

3. My next project will not include a character with a really irritating sister, until I have calmed down enough for my really irritating sister not to recognise herself.

4. I really do see the funny side of all my relatives and in-laws visiting, and next year, I will remain calm and consider it a rich vein of comedy for my writing.

5. I will check which magazines my friends and family read, before sending off amusing anecdotes of their Christmas party stupidity.

6. I will not send photos with these stories until I have checked my friends and family's neighbours don't read the magazines either. Along with their work colleagues, friends, casual acquaintances, and local supermarket checkout girls.

7. I will not try and enhance my career while drunk, however much I feel like spreading Christmas cheer. In particular, I will not call or e-mail any BBC producers until the next morning, when I can fully consider what a great idea it would have been.

8. I will just go out and buy presents next year, not hope that everyone likes my cleverly written witty send ups of themselves, their friends, partners, and entire lives.

9. Just because I'm a writer, when I write Xmas cards, I can just stick to "Merry Christmas."

10. And this year, I will send in at least one article for the BSCW E-zine.

Last month I checked out how many of our members had got their online CVs sorted, and found 23... This month the grand total is: 22! Not sure how that happened. Anyway, I confess that mine is still a little out of date, but my plans to do something over Xmas went the same way as I'm sure many of yours did - washed away by Bacchus. Given all Paul's hard work, it really is so easy to edit your online CV any time you like, that none of our excuses wash anymore.

Once you've got your CV looking good, you can then give the web address out to producers, and make sure everyone can see what you're working on, and everything you've done. This also means that whenever the BSCW are offered projects for small numbers of people, you will be first priority to be considered, as we have the detail there of what you've done and can do - and can quickly and easily show that to those looking for writers. Go on, this is your chance to show off!

(No, that's not an offer!)

Our membership secretary, Carol Donockley, spends a lot of time chasing up late membership and subscription renewals. To cut down on this time and to assist with the smooth running of the organisation the Management Team have agreed to introduce a £10 rejoining fee for late payment of fees. Both full members and subscribers have one full month in which to pay their fees when they become due.

To avoid paying the Rejoining Fee all members and subscribers simply need to pay their fees as soon as possible - but within the month they are due. This rejoining fee comes into effect in January 2003.

The Management Team

Roger Davison reports "Earlier this year I was lucky enough to receive a showcase from TAPS (Television Arts Performance Showcase) for my short film 'The Prodigal Sons.' Last week (12th December) I attended the BAFTA building in Piccadilly where I was presented with the short film 'Writer Of The Year' award by Linda La Plante." Well done, Roger.

And that appears to be it for this month... I presume you were all too busy eating, drinking and being merry on the proceeds of your successes to let me know what they were. Do make it a new year's resolution to keep letting me know in future.

Well, the level of entries wasn't high, but the competition still has a winner. Judged entirely by which gag made me laugh most, the winner's grand prize is their name appearing below. Anyone wanting to see all the entries (and the ensuing puns) do go and look at the general forum. Once you've finished groaning, feel free to add your own witticisms - perhaps some new year gags...?

And the winning joke is: Father Christmas walked into a bar. "What would you like?" says the barman. "I would like a double brandy," says Santa. "But I suppose I will get a flaming train set with no batteries in it." (Edited for language, to be sure your E-zine doesn't get bounced by your ISPs!)

And if you haven't already read it on the forum, that work of art was by BSCW Member Johnny Jarman. Well done to all contestants.

As I'm sure I've mentioned, I really enjoy reading your articles, reviews, news and successes, and would love to have more of them in the next E-zine. If you're worried about whether I want something on the topic you'd like to write about, just drop me a line... and the answer is probably yes. If it's about comedy writing, and interests you, chances are the rest of us would like to know more too. So just in case you've somehow missed where to send everything, it's gill@bscw.co.uk. In case some of you, like me, work better to a deadline, then I'd like everything in by 25th JANUARY, please, for the FEBRUARY E-zine.