After the last performance of my solo show, I was spent. I couldn’t believe that I had written this piece, then performed it for an audience. There are still parts of it I am trying to refine, because even after workshopping it, having someone else perform it, it took me finally performing to see the holes. Of course these realization occurred while I was on stage mid-performance and by the time I got to the end of the show, I’d forgotten what the change was. So I moved on to part 2 of my show. Writing and re-working the beginning. Trying to capture that magic that I felt during the first show. Bad thing about that was that it took me quite a while to actually muster the courage to complete the play. Filled with mixed feelings and emotions about the truth of a solo show pained me at every turn. Show #2 is going to be completely fictional, what are the craziest, most outlandish scenarios I want to discuss, that was going to be this show. So here I am, 3 different beginnings and no further than 10 pages in.
As a new writer, I am still making discoveries on my writing style. I contemplate the correct way it should start. My mind gets caught up in getting it perfect the first time around, instead of the messy first draft it should be. To help me with this, I attend table reads and writers groups to help me feel inspired. While listening to the works of others, I learn different styles and ways of telling a story. During the discussion after the read, I listen as playwrights and audience share their opinions and thoughts. I watch the writer during the comment section. I take note at how they take in each statement, nodding their head, taking notes. From being in the room, I know what types of questions to ask and how to ask them when asking for feedback. What drew you in? What took you out? What do you want to more about? It’s somewhere to start. So I guess I’ll get back out there and write. I have a million ideas and some great opportunities coming up. No time to waste.
When you’re listening to a script for the first time, what’s the first thing you comment about?
