The Playwright's Journey: From First Spark to First Night

A guide to writing a play, based on the author's long-running playwriting masterclasses at the National Theatre. It covers theatrical tools, writing process, characters, dramatic structure, scene construction, dialogue, and more, with examples from classical and modern plays and insights from contemporary playwrights.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2022
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

A comprehensive guide to writing a play, based on the author's extensive experience in playwriting masterclasses at the National Theatre in the UK. This book covers all the essential aspects of playwriting, including:
Theatrical tools and techniques: Learn about the different tools and techniques used in playwriting, such as stage directions, character development, and dialogue. Understand how these differ from writing for film and TV.
Writing process: Discover and develop your writing process, including techniques for generating ideas, structuring a play, and developing characters. Explore different approaches to writing and find the one that works best for you.
Characters: Understand your characters' goals, motivations, and central conflicts. Use emotional logic to connect them to your story and create compelling characters that audiences will care about.
Dramatic structure: Find the dramatic structure and theatrical setting that best suits your play. Learn about the different elements of a play, such as acts, scenes, and transitions, and how to construct them effectively.
Scene construction: Learn the key elements of constructing a great scene, including exposition, tension, character development, and effective transitions. Discover how to handle dialogue and create engaging, active characters.
Examples from classical and modern plays: Explore examples from classical and modern plays to gain inspiration and understanding of different writing styles. Learn from the techniques and approaches used by successful playwrights
Contemporary playwrights' insights: Gain insights from other contemporary playwrights into their own writing journeys. Learn about their struggles, challenges, and successes in the world of playwriting.
Each chapter includes exercises to help you practice the skills and techniques discussed in the book. Additionally, the book provides advice on what to do once you've finished your script, including redrafting, receiving feedback, and taking notes. It also covers the process of navigating your play's progress towards production, including finding a production venue, casting actors, and rehearsing the play.
Whether you're an emerging playwright or have experience in writing plays, The Playwright
Writer's Journey will help you develop your creativity, strengthen your connection to your material, and transform your idea into a fully formed play that feels alive on the page and the stage.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848425804