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The Playwright's Process: Learning the Craft from Today's Leading Dramatists
Drawing on personal experience and interviews with playwrights, the author details the entire process of developing an idea into a fully realized play
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 18, 2017
I just finished reading this. It is for my summer school class in playwrighting and I LOVED this book. When I got to things to which I knew or agreed, the read was still interesting. Then, there were things that I didn't know and I LOVED having that information available.
The only "outdated" thing is that with the Internet, the nature of submissions and perhaps being able to telecommute places is much different than it was when this book was written. However, just imagining those being mentioned as options works. Anybody interested in writing plays should read this book!!!
The only "outdated" thing is that with the Internet, the nature of submissions and perhaps being able to telecommute places is much different than it was when this book was written. However, just imagining those being mentioned as options works. Anybody interested in writing plays should read this book!!!
January 8, 2025
Borrowed from a colleague. Read and borrowed from a couple sections. Will either buy myself a copy or borrow again for a few things for my sequel class.
April 8, 2019
Thanks, Buzz.
July 1, 2016
I am in the fortunate position to state that I will be attending New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA) next month to begin my Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Stage & Screen. Buzz McLaughlin is not only the author of this book but also the director of that program, and after finishing this book today, I am thrilled to be an incoming student of this program.
Even if I were not about to enter into my MFA program, after reading this book I would feel confident and increasingly competent regarding my ability to create a life for myself as a playwright in the theater.
The first half of the book focuses on the craft of playwriting, and doing the actual work. This is a sticking point for me, and the one I am most concerned with as I turn my life towards that of being a playwright. There are some important aspects of style, form, and consistency that I read and re-read, taking margin notes, knowing that these are aspects of the field that I need to play close attention to. I believe in the Muse and artistic combustion, but I also believe in having the tools necessary to create the art of which you dream. Together, having both the tools/knowledge and the muse/inspiration can create magic.
Having recently (last month) self-produced my first full length comedy, I connected with so many aspects of this book, but rather than feeling repetitive or obvious for me, it was invigorating - and I truly wish I had read this book prior to embarking on my first full-length foray, from beginning to end (first draft to production). I would have altered some of my practices, and certainly implemented them better.
This book balances practical, pragmatic suggestions while also tapping into the emotional saliency and mystery of what we do. Interwoven throughout are fascinating, perfectly placed quotations by some of the best playwrights, most of them personally interviewed by the author. They are carefully chosen and utilized, and certainly inspiring. Rather than being an opportunity for the author to namedrop, these quotes heightened my understanding of the concept(s) at hand, and added to the humanity and human connection of the craft.
Although certain "rules", concepts and suggestions might be strongly asserted and encouraged, McLaughlin carefully treads that balance between best practices and artistic creation, completely aware and encouraging of exceptions to the rule and/or creative license to do what we please, how we please, to create the art that we please. But we are assured that it at least helps to be cognizant and competent in what would be considered the best practices in the field, or at the very least to know the rules before we break them.
I am very impressed with this book, and will be revisiting it repeatedly throughout my time developing this magnificent and fascinating craft. How exciting!
Even if I were not about to enter into my MFA program, after reading this book I would feel confident and increasingly competent regarding my ability to create a life for myself as a playwright in the theater.
The first half of the book focuses on the craft of playwriting, and doing the actual work. This is a sticking point for me, and the one I am most concerned with as I turn my life towards that of being a playwright. There are some important aspects of style, form, and consistency that I read and re-read, taking margin notes, knowing that these are aspects of the field that I need to play close attention to. I believe in the Muse and artistic combustion, but I also believe in having the tools necessary to create the art of which you dream. Together, having both the tools/knowledge and the muse/inspiration can create magic.
Having recently (last month) self-produced my first full length comedy, I connected with so many aspects of this book, but rather than feeling repetitive or obvious for me, it was invigorating - and I truly wish I had read this book prior to embarking on my first full-length foray, from beginning to end (first draft to production). I would have altered some of my practices, and certainly implemented them better.
This book balances practical, pragmatic suggestions while also tapping into the emotional saliency and mystery of what we do. Interwoven throughout are fascinating, perfectly placed quotations by some of the best playwrights, most of them personally interviewed by the author. They are carefully chosen and utilized, and certainly inspiring. Rather than being an opportunity for the author to namedrop, these quotes heightened my understanding of the concept(s) at hand, and added to the humanity and human connection of the craft.
Although certain "rules", concepts and suggestions might be strongly asserted and encouraged, McLaughlin carefully treads that balance between best practices and artistic creation, completely aware and encouraging of exceptions to the rule and/or creative license to do what we please, how we please, to create the art that we please. But we are assured that it at least helps to be cognizant and competent in what would be considered the best practices in the field, or at the very least to know the rules before we break them.
I am very impressed with this book, and will be revisiting it repeatedly throughout my time developing this magnificent and fascinating craft. How exciting!
October 2, 2007
a great tool for anyone who wants to craft a playwriting class or wants to write plays but doesn't know where to begin.
June 25, 2013
Slightly out-of-date in parts, but great pointers.
May 31, 2015
Previously read 10/19/07: 4 stars
December 27, 2008
A good resource for those who enjoy writing plays.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews