The Playwright's Process: Learning the Craft from Today's Leading Dramatists

by Buzz McLaughlin

Here is the first and only manual for playwrights ever designed to draw directly from the wisdom of leading contemporary dramatists. Interwoven with hundreds of quotations from the author's own in-depth interview series at the Dramatists Guild, in New York City, The Playwright's Process offers a fresh and lively discussion of the indispensable ingredients of strong dramatic writing. Every essential step the writer must take to create a well-written, stageworthy play is examined and explored.  Also mining his own experience as a dramatist and a teacher of playwriting, author Buzz McLaughlin details the entire process of developing the kernel of an idea into a fully realized play—from the writer's very first jottings to the readings and workshops that lead to a professional production. Laying in the basic building blocks of dramatic structure, the exploration of character, the elements of good dialogue writing, and much, much more, McLaughlin reinforces every lesson with the words  Edward AlbeeLee BlessingHorton FooteAthol FugardJohn GuareTina HoweDavid IvesRomulus LinneyEmily MannTerrence McNallyArthur MillerMarsha NormanJohn Patrick ShanleyWendy WassersteinMichael WellerLanford Wilson A resource for beginning and experienced writers, The Playwright's Process is a virtual guided tour of the dramatist's challenging and often mysterious creative process, chock-full of specific techniques, practical exercises, and candid observations on craft and method straight from the mouths of working, award-winning playwrights. No book on playwriting has offered so much before, or in such an illuminating and integrated way.

Genres: Writing, Theatre, Nonfiction, Teaching

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Bridget]

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The only "outdated" thing is that with the Internet, the nature of submissions and perhaps being able to telecommute places is much different than it was when this book was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!!!

[Bryan]

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.

[Danielle Frimer]

Thanks, Buzz.

[Kara Emily]

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!

[Claudia Haas]

As a playwright, this is the book I return to again and again. There is something to be said for doing your homework and figuring out your characters carefully before you put pen to paper and McLaughlin does this easily, with humor and helps you to figure out the nuances that will make things just a bit more interesting. And of course, you may have everything plotted out carefully and find that as you write, things will change. And that's expected, too. It's ideal for novices and experienced writers.

[rebecca]

a great tool for anyone who wants to craft a playwriting class or wants to write plays but doesn't know where to begin.

[Jen]

Slightly out-of-date in parts, but great pointers.

[Joshuah Laird]

Previously read 10/19/07: 4 stars

[Kellista]

A good resource for those who enjoy writing plays.