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.”