Why this fiction writer loves writing for the stage (and why you will, too)
by Paul Reali
I write fiction—novels, short stories, and flash. A few years ago (because Charlotte Lit offered a class on it) I decided to write a play. I didn’t change forms and become a playwright, but I loved it—and I think you will, too, if you give it a try. Here are just three of the many reasons I love writing for the stage.
Intensive focus on dialogue. There’s so much a writer must do to build a rich world in fiction: description, setting, movement, interior thought, exposition, backstory … it’s daunting and kind of exhausting! In a play, there’s almost nothing but dialogue. This makes playwriting an exciting challenge whether you love dialogue or hate it. If you love it, well, no explanation needed. If you hate it, or struggle with it, here’s a chance to develop this one essential storytelling muscle without all the other distractions.
See your work performed. In 2022, I had the privilege of seeing my 10-minute play “Fresh Paint” performed on stage. This was—and I’m not exaggerating here—exhilarating. Normally, unless I am invited to give a reading (a rare thing for prose writers like me) I never get to see the effect my work has on an audience. Having actors on stage delivering my words was a priceless learning (and artistically validating) experience.
Learn skills and techniques applicable to all your writing. What would you like to improve about your writing? It’s all here. Crafting character arcs? Check. Conflict and tension? You bet. Sharp dialogue? Got it. Merciless revision?Absolutely. Differentiating characters through their speech? One of the hardest things to do, but you’ll learn it here.
If you love watching theatre, I may have convinced you to try your hand at writing for the stage. But even if you don’t want to be a playwright, I know that we all want to improve our writing. So I challenge you to challenge yourself: take a step out of your comfortable form and try your hand at putting your writing (as the saying goes) “on its feet.”
Learn to write for the stage at Charlotte Lit
SIX THURSDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 22: “The Play’s the Thing: A Generative Mini-lab,” with DC Fidler. 6:00–8:00 p.m., in person at Charlotte Lit. Info and registration
This hands-on class begins with two weeks in which we embrace the essential elements of playwriting, including how to: structure a dramatic work; create characters and guide their development; fashion natural-sounding dialogue; raise the stakes; and create villains who fascinate audiences. In the next four weeks, we’ll work on writing short plays and scenes from full-length plays; conduct workshops that include in-class readings with feedback; and study the art of editing. Work produced in this class will be eligible for a Charlotte Lit showcase of staged readings.
Thanks to the generosity of one of our benefactors, this class is now 50% off!
Members save an extra $45 on this class! Log in as a member or join to receive the discount.
Thanks to generous donors, limited need-based scholarships are available for all classes: https://charlottelit.org/scholarships
