Playwriting, Brief and Brilliant

by Julie Jensen

Succinct and thorough, Playwriting, Brief & Brilliant will, in just one hour of reading, tell you everything you need to know about playwriting. It guides you through the basics of dialogue, character, and plot. It gives tips for getting past writer's block. And finally, it provides practical advice on marketing your play.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Plays, Theatre

89 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2007

Reviews

[Ines · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was ok, not much info,. What really ruined it for mr was the author's choice of phrasing at one point in the book where she said that ascertain concept could take a play " from genius to retarded." What educated person says that in this day and age? At least by the time it had gotten to the editing process you would think that it would have been caught and noticed as insensitive. If this book was not for a class I would have stopped reading there.

[Darby Riales · Rating 5 out of 5]

When someone goes into too much detail trying to explain how to write, that person probably doesn't know what s/he is talking about. This book is brief and very helpful. It is condensed down to the essentials of playwriting.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice. Covers the basics. Quick, easy, and user-friendly!

[Irma Mayorga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound advice that moves along with smart observations and ideas. As the author suggests, write out a draft of your play - *then* read this clever book to work on the revision of your initial idea.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to its subtitle, brief and brilliant. Succinct, useful, and motivating.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

REALLY didn't appreciate the use of the r word in one of the chapters. Stopped me in my tracks and didn't feel like continuing, but this book is for a class.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stuff you need to keep in mind and nothing more. Superb.

[Benn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I ever read on writing, let alone playwriting. Short, succinct, and to the point. Full of excellent practical advice.

[Seth]

Brief and brilliant is just the description of this book.

[val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good tips and advice. The use of the r word dated this bad.

[Jeffrey Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book by award-winning playwright Julie Jensen. I got a free manuscript of this book from Julie when she was playwright-in-residence at Salt Lake Acting Company. Used to be called "Playwriting Quick and Dirty."

[Natalie]

Short and extremely useful. I read it in less than an hour, but it is definitely worth holding on to in order to reference back to it. She gives great suggestions and organizes the book very well.

[Erin Nudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good - quick and to the point.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - 3.75

[Paige Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still tryna figure out why she used the word “retarded” as a writer who has more words to substitute with than the average person.