Writing Your First Play [Paperback]

Stephen Sossaman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2000 | ISBN-10: 013027416X | ISBN-13: 978-0130274168 | Edition: 1

Concentrating on clearly stated fundamental principles, this brief but efficient reference guide takes writers, step-by-step, to the completion of their first play. A practical workbook, it covers everything from selecting an idea to doing critical revision—and how to avoid the frustrating errors that typically plague first time playwrights. Chapter topics include situation and story, characters, play structure, keys to holding an audience, dialogue, stage movement, and theme. Exercises throughout the book focus on the playwright and the play in progress, allowing readers to better assess their own drafts. For individuals and community writers groups—even those with little theatre-going experience, as they pen their first one-act or full-length naturalistic drama.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS LEADING BEGINNERS FROM IDEA TO FINISHED SCRIPT, Writing Your First Play BY STEPHEN SOSSAMAN prevents false starts, common mistakes, frustrating dead ends, and writer's block.

The beginning writer will learn the secrets to effective structure, intriguing characters, and powerful dialog.

This writing-group tested guide breaks down a sometime overwhelming and intimidating task into a logical and manageable sequence. The emphasis on first-draft evaluation and effective revision will help the beginning playwright get it written and get it right.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (August 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013027416X
• ISBN-13: 978-0130274168
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Invaluable Resource, September 15, 2000

By 

David B. Levine (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Your First Play (Paperback)

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in playwriting - whether you're overwhelmed by the idea, struggling with a manuscript, mulling over completed drafts needing revision, or seeking a perspective for understanding the craft. It really does take you step by step from idea through revision. It distills a deep understanding of the dramatic art into a straightforward approach to structure, character and technique. Exercises to guide and stimulate the budding playwright are woven throughout. Later sections build intelligently on earlier learnings, and important points are returned to for reinforcement. I particularly liked the warnings about what NOT to do and why, the section on the nine functions of dialog (the best I've ever read), and the included Writer's Workbook. Brief and to the point, the book is loaded with useful information and intelligently organized. It is clear that Sossaman brings a wide knowledge of dramatic literature, a clear understanding of the craft of playwriting, and his own impressive teaching experience to this work. For sure, many of the best plays I've read or seen over the last forty years ring true to his guidance, and the others would certainly have benefited from his solid nuts and bolts advice.

3.0 out of 5 stars Slim But Pricy, With Little Room To Grow, January 31, 2010

By 

Kevin L. Nenstiel "omnivore" (Kearney, Nebraska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Writing Your First Play (Paperback)

This book may be useful for new playwrights. Very new playwrights, first-year creative writing students maybe. Its concise writing and short, fortune cookie-like advice will probably serve for somebody who has never written a play and has little familiarity with theatrical conventions. I just don't see it as something that will grow with the writer.

Sossaman focuses heavily on making sure your first play has a theatrical idea, sufficient conflict, round characters, and correct format. I think every bit of this is important, and the absence of these traits is the biggest reason new playwrights flub so often. But once you've savvied these parts, Sossaman is out of anything to say.

The book is slim, I'll give it that, and Appendix E, in which Sossaman breaks down the beats and components of Ibsen's "A Doll's House," was helpful for me. But most of what this book offers can be found by intensively reading plays or volunteering at a local theatre. Paying the best part of fifty bucks for such basic stuff seems a bit squirrely to me.

There's a book out there, called Naked Playwriting, by William Missouri Downs and Robin Russin. It's less than half the price, much more detailed, and has enough content to grow with readers as novice writers become experienced. That's the book you need; unless it's a required textbook, you can put this book down right now.

4.0 out of 5 stars why so expensive?, June 18, 2009

By 

Lee (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Your First Play (Paperback)

I like this book alot- it's helpful and readable. My only complaint is the price - seriously, it seems like it should be about $10 - not nearly $50...