 Drama: May 28, 2008 Issue [#2410] |
  Drama
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
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Thinking of writing a play?
"I've never written a play. Is it hard?" "How does writing a play differ from writing a story?" "I don't even know how to format a play." "Sure, I'm game. Now what?"
Those are just some thoughts and reactions that come to mind when one confronts the opportunity to write a play. Over the course of my next couple of newsletters, I'll tackle the whys, structure, development, and format of playwriting as we come up with our own idea for a play. |
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PART ONE - Doing the preliminary work
Once you determine you want to write a play, beign with an idea. One of the most appealing aspects of a play is the fact that they are an excellent forum for addressing concerns or issues that are pressing for the times. A play about the effects of the Iraq war on a veteran or a "Death of a Saleman" like play focusing on the effects of a couple defaulting on their mortage would be very topical for today's audience.
A play can be as gritty as the actual events it represents, or as metaphorical as placing the situation in a fantasy type setting. (i.e. "Lord of the Rings" for the First World War.)
Once you've fleshed out your idea, establish a plot. The focus should be to have your characters drive the plot. Your characters should be interesting and compelling. They should be thoughtful and passionate with needs and wants as driving as your own. The main character must change in some way, either good or bad, by the end.
Establish time, place, and firm up your setting. It's important for the audience to be able to see your world.
Next, write believable dialogue for the times. Remember, the 1920's have different slang than the 1980's. A little research here will give your play the authencity it needs.
Incorporate action into your play. Remember the audience wants to see your characters in action. Finally, remember this is a play, not a film. Keep it simple and keep the focus on good character development and you'll have a successful formula for a play.
 To organize your idea, write down your items on a worksheet that you can refer to.
Remember, you might need to do research as well as editing and re-writing as you put the play together.
As you draft your play keep in the following in mind:
 Plays need action. Keep monolgues to a minium.
Characters need purpose. Don't have them mill around on stage. Give them something to do.
Plays need to hold the audience's interest.
Let's come up with a first draft. Here's 4 polls for you to take. Over the course of the next couple of newsletters, I'll compile the more popular answers into a rough draft play.
NEXT: Pick a style of play and flesh out your characters. |
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Feedback from my last Drama Newsletter which was on "True Crime Drama."
Adriana Noir 
I love Ann Rule and have almost all of her books, including her fictional novel, "Possession." A large part of my library consists of true crime stories. Barbara Davis sounds like an interesting author, one that I may have overlooked! Court TV aired a show about Darlie Routier not too long ago...a tragic and heartwrenching tale. I will definately be scouring the local bookstore for Davis's work! Great edition as always!
I like Ann Rule at lot. The first true crime author I read was Joe McGinness who wrote about Jeffery McDonald and the crime he committed on Ft. Bragg where he murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters. After that, I was hooked. Him and Ann have a similar style of writing that just plunges the reader into the world of the victim.
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her short story, "The Wolf's Kiss," received an Honorable Mention in the 2007 Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Contest. You can find "The Wolf's Kiss," in her short story folder. |
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