  Drama
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
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Drama is:
#1 - The Greek word for "action."
#2 - A real situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.
Well, first I'd like to take a second and welcome Joy  to the full time Drama Editors crew. She has a wonderful "heartbeat" on drama and we're happy to have her aboard.
This month I'd like to take a look at biographies and how they fit into drama writing. |
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A biography is a work, written or film, that examines the lives of real people. Biographies have long been tapped for dramatic purposes. As early as 472 B.C., with the Greek play, Persae by Aeschylus, a story about the Persian's navy defeat by the Greeks, biographical writing has played a long rich role in drama writing.
One of the most influential playwrights in biographical drama is William Shakespeare. He's best known for plays like Richard III, Henry V, and MacBeth. The richness of how he portrays his subjects within these historical plays has added a depth to the subject which resonates even today.
Preparing to write the Historical Drama
1. Research
Research is very important. You, the writer, need to strive for accuracy. Material such as letters, notes, diaries, and newspaper accounts are excellent sources for information on your subject. If you are researching someone in the 20th Century, you might find ample research material online. "You Tube" is an excellent contemporary source for information.
2. Take Notes
Start with the subject's birth, review their early influences, and lead the reader through those events that the subject was recognized for.
3. Organize
Organize your notes into the order you want to write your story in.
4. The Extras
Add the little quirks of your subject into your writing. This helps to humanize them to the reader. For example, Julius Cesar was an epileptic. Franklin D. Roosevelt had polio. Queen Victoria supposedly carried the gene for hemophilia which was spread throughout the royal houses of Europe.
Recent Historical Biographies:
One historical biography that's playing now is "John Adams" on HBO. What helps to make this series work is the detail to the descriptions, the time, and place. On Showtime, there's "The Tudors," which captures the world of Henry VIII. I'm a big fan of "The Tudors," and while there are some historical inaccuracies, it captures the essence of time period well and it stays pretty true to Henry VIII's story.
Anyone have any favorite historical biographies they'd like to share? I'd love to hear about them. If you have a product review you'd like to share, send me an email.
EDITOR'S CHALLENGE
Write me a one-act play based on an event in one of the following subject's lives:
A. Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. Albert Einstein
C. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
D. Princess Diana
E. Babe Ruth
Sources for this newsletter:
http://home.nwciowa.edu/rhubbard/drama
NEXT: A look at Crime/True Crime Drama |
My picks this month focus on historical biographies.
This is a poem that looks at Mary, Queen of Scots.
A biography on General Custer.
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A look at American cultural anthropologist, Ruth Fulton Benedict.
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A peek into the life of author, August Wilson.
A story about Henry V.
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An excellent history contest here on WDC.
Here are a couple of Product Reviews that focus on biographical drama:
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Here are some comments regarding my last newsletter which dealt with philosophical elements in drama writing.
Coolhand 
Greetings StephB,
I found the newsletter very interesting and appreciate the lesson on philosophical issues. Framing a story with elements like morality and nihilism can be extremely effective for any genre. Great job!
Best regards, Coolhand
Thanks. For me, the challenge is framing a story within those elements. I think the show, "The Sopranos," did a wonderful job working with those issues.
April Sunday
Wow, Steph -- what a great list and category titles in feedback -- maybe another trip to the library this week.
I agree. I've added some of the titles to my own reading list.
bellatrix
This issue was so informative, and I frankly can't wait for the next issue, since you said you were going to deal with biographies.
I hope you found this issue interesting. I'd love to hear about some of your favorite biographies and what makes them your favorite.
Starr* Rathburn
Another interesting newsletter. Thank-you, Steph!
Starr.r
Thanks, Starr.
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD and the mother of two young boys. Her short story, "The Wolf's Kiss," was an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 2007 Popular Fiction Contest.
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Drama: April 02, 2008 Issue [#2306]
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