Sparks is the name for a BBC Radio Drama writers initiative which takes place every year (run by the BBC Writers room www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom and the Radio Drama Department). Up to ten writers are nominated by radio drama producers across the UK, and they come together for a 2-day workshop. This time, because the audiotheque was up and running we decided that it would be interesting to get the writers to work in groups of 3, and to give them a Marantz recorder and a mic and ask them to write and record three short audio pieces in the course of a three-hour session. They could use each other as actors, and could rope in any other radio drama department staff, but they couldn't use music, and they would only get minimal editing. The pieces are up on audiotheque and it would be great if people could listen and comment, as I'm sure that the writers would be interested in your response. I would also like to know from the writers how useful they found this as an excercise. I'm really excited about the possibilities for getting people to engage with audiotheque, and I hope that we will be able to do some wider promotion this spring.