You should watch this. It is a marvellous lesson on the psychology of the individual, as Jeeves would say'; it is a most revealing programme about human beings and the way they behave, the way they show what they are really like while thinking they are concealing same. And it is worth watching because the Dragons tell it straight. I have been reading the new book about the series and I find I am the Deborah Meaden of the CW world. Like her, I tell it straight. I am tough. I know what I am talking about and I have experience. I am successful, like her and I want you to be. I can help you if you do not strike attitude and bluster and come on full of opinions and knowing better. I am determined that some of you will succeed but I know those who never will. It`s up to them whether they listen to me or not. Deborah Meaden says she is warmer, funnier and easier than she has to appear on DD. I am the same. But we both have huge ambitions for those we take on. I am not exactly taking you lot on but you have put yourselves in front of me - those who are sending in TTDs at least - because you want to succeed, you know you can learn from me, you value my opinion and you understand that there is absolutely nothing personal in anything I say. Think Deborah Meaden when you get cross with me and do watch DD. You will find a wonderful array of characters who could appear in a novel of contemporary mores without many changes.

The Dragons themselves are of limited interest in that people who are in business and whose aims are ambitious and money-centres are not very well rounded. They are various examples of the same type. Naked ambition and worldly success are not especially attracxtive or interesting beyond a certain point. We only see this side of them in the programme of course - they will be very different to their families and friends. But the stream of punters coming up those stairs contains a wild whacky and wonderful assortment of human beings. Watch them closely.

Now, a TTD. TTD 7 I think but correct me if I am wrong.

Create me a character in no more than 2 paragraphs - male or female, any age, but the character is going to appear in Dragon`s Den, looking for backing. You may choose to present them there, or at home, or when they have failed and afterwards, or succeeded ditto. You may present them as honest, cunning, stupid, clever, ambitious, pompous, two-faced, fresh and open, young, old, male, female, hopeless, hilarious.. anything. But I want to know that person and I want you to make them so interesting that I will want to know more. I want them to be at the beginning of their story.

And remember, NO CLICHES. And do not over-describe.

Your character-paragraphs need not be the opening of a novel though - I`m not trying to make things even ore challenging for you !