Every scene must be dramatic

Every scene must be dramatic. Every single one.

That's the advice of playwright and genius David Mamet in a letter to the writing staff of the now-cancelled CBS show "The Unit," according to this post on Slashfilm.com. The wisdom he shares is useful for EVERY writer. Go read it.

What is drama?

"EVERY SCENE MUST BE DRAMATIC. THAT MEANS: THE MAIN CHARACTER MUST HAVE A SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, PRESSING NEED WHICH IMPELS HIM OR HER TO SHOW UP IN THE SCENE."

Yeah, the all caps are his. I left 'em...