How do I start writing a play?

Question

I already read some basics about plays but I just dont know how to start writing,
like how to write down scenery, actions, characters, etc.
any websites with sample plays I could look at for inspiration?
thanks.

Answer 1

Going all the way back to the beginning, you should create a character you can converse with while typing all the dialogue. When you are comfortable, create another and have a three way conversation. Then, you step out after giving them a problem to solve via dialogue, and, you keep typing.

Answer 2

With no offense to you or others, I suggest first you have the technical skills. If in fact you do, then the "Story" will progress much like a journal or rough draft of the finished product, as one other said, save ALL your notes.

Writing since I learned how, I've done some script work, but in your Q I sense you want more info about the technical aspects of a finished product, able to be understood by those involved as a professional piece.

As in any STORY, a writer SETS the scene, the era, the genre, etc, before usually diving into thoughts about the final chapter or scene.

You INTRODUCE the context to your "audience",,,IE: This is a story that takes place in Mid 19th Century London. From there the audience has some grasp of what you'll include. Then during the play, having already fixed it in your mind, you'll introduce things like scenery, props, etc, in parenthesis or quotation marks.

Certainly some of that has to be made public to those acting in the piece, but too in large measure it relates to those who are the CREW.

To lessen any surprises to anyone, the characters and the major setting should be introduced first.

You might checkout PlayBill.Com for examples, and certainly your local library.

Going back to my example: Mid 19th Century London. (We can assume a lot of what you'll say in an introduction, and you need not detail the pattern on a set of dinnerwear, or even suggest any strict codes of dress unless they happen to be relevant to a character. The value of a play BTW is in the Acting, and their engaging the audience. If an audience is paying too much attention to Prop detail, then you're losing them.

Without question though,,,YOU as a writer need to know a length of a performance, all the characters needed to make up a 2 or 3 act play, research the details of the time, KNOW what your story line will create in the minds of an audience, and how well it can be pulled off by those in each character portrayal, and understand the factors in presenting your piece once it gets off the written page.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

Scenery wise when I am writing a play I put it in captions so the director or stage manager can see that it is not part of the lines, I also do that for actions. Also I only write plays when I have been inspired. For instance I just finished a play about the war in Iraq because I discovered why the war is truly going on. So modern issues or even historic issues make great plays. Hope this helps. Break a leg!!!!!!

Answer 4

hey i think if u want 2 write a play u should think about the plot of the play first .and as far as describing scenery or characters r concerned u can refer 2 some meg cabots books or maybe harry potter . but 2 tell u frankly it's best that u first thing about how 2 go about the whole play like what characters n what place what kind of a play like some comedy trgedy romantic or a mixture of all and then u gotta think about which character has 2 behave in which manner in the sense of if he is the 1 who will make ur play lively or sad .something that gains interest of the audience or maybe the readers coz we do read shakespeare's plays.

Answer 5

Hi!

First of all, blue sky, which is to say dream
and muse about it

Second, be really interested in the idea of the play

Third, have a heart and just plunge in ...
write down your basic ideas
sketch in the characters that will illustrate
the action...... note down the scenery that
will form the background, and the props and all the sort of costumes likely you will use.

And: Act I, scene I .... or start in the middle if that is what is coming to you ...can you start at the end? The way you want it to come out?

Don't throw out your notes.... keep them in a binder .... but, don't be afraid to start over.

Peace & Love

Answer 6

I recently had to write a piece for one of my acting classes. We started by just thinking of one basic idea and writing down anything and everything we knew/wanted to be in the piece. There wasn't a real format, just real and raw emotion. After that, we started to compile it as a piece. For me, its easier to think of a symbol, or a character, something that the entire play is going to be about and base it around that. I have no real training or experience as a playwright but thinking of the main event is easy for me, and then basing everything around that one item.

As for stage directions, scenery etc. I usually start off by describing how the stage would be set (it depends on how open minded you are, or if you have one set idea in mind for you play). Also, if you want the actors to do certain things, I use notes on the sides.

Overall, just make sure to keep every draft, every note about you piece. It will constantly change. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 7

Start by writing scenes between 2 characters. If that grows into a play, then you're on your way.

Answer 8

The million-dollar question! the place does everyone get their thought? Why does everyone write a e book or a play? I reckon it is in basic terms a imaginative spark that only has again out, so as that they do it.

Answer 9

Firstly, you should learn how to string words together in the correct manner, then you should read other plays and see how those authors used their creative genius to write those master-pieces and take their styles. HOWEVER, don't plagiarize 'cause that's bad.