In The Dramatist's Toolkit , playwright and Backstage columnist Jeff Sweet offers an intensive and practical guide to being a working playwright. In this informative guide, Sweet discusses such matters Jeff Sweet offers guidance for the beginning playwright and advice for the seasoned professional.
I took a summer retreat series with Jeff Sweet almost 7 years ago. The classes were great, but I hadn't really read my copy of Dramatist's Toolkit. Well, I was having some rewriting roadblocks recently, and I took this puppy off my shelf, and it was super helpful. I usually don't believe in "playwriting books," but Jeff (I feel I can call him Jeff) is great at demonstrating instances of structure and dialogue that get his point across. I'm no novelist, but I would imagine his points are helpful for all sorts of fiction writers.
Generally, "how to write" types of books are horrible. I'm lucky if I can find one bit of true wisdom. This, on the other hand, offers a lot of great practical advice. A great place to start for the new playwright.
This is a great playwrighting book. Sweet has a very readable, story-telling voice, and his suggestions are clear and logical. If you want to write plays, this is the book to read.
A thorough, practical exploration of the craft of writing plays -- and also a great tool for actors and directors to help figure out what a playwright is trying to do.
This was a great textbook on playwriting. I have read a few recently to help me write my first play, I have to admit most have been unhelpful and often boring, but I found this book insightful and interesting to read.