I was talking to someone about one of the plays I’m working on and they made a comment on the subject matter. “That’s unfortunate,” they said. “People are sensitive about that topic now.” The comment made me oddly defensive and before I knew it, I said, “You write what wants to get written.” I didn’t…
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how long it took to write the first draft of a play I’m working on. I said it was an interesting question. I recently finished the second draft of the same play. How long did it take? It’s still an interesting question… I finished the first draft…
“How long does it take you to write a draft of play?” she asked. Such an interesting question! How long does it take to create something? If I take a look at the play I’m currently working on, A Killing at the Cottage (AKATC), it took me 8 hours of writing to complete the first…
Seth Godin talks about the importance of “shipping”. Shipping is basically putting your “stuff” out there. It is about doing the thing that you want to do and getting it out into the world. If you are a playwright, shipping is sending out your play to producers or theatres to see if they want to…
One of the big takeaways I had from doing the Hamilton Fringe Festival last summer was that marketing is important. Really important. How do you get people to go see your show when there are 30 other shows they can see? And a thousand other reasons for them NOT to see it? And how do…
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana I originally meant to write this post a couple of weeks ago, but a Christmas cold grabbed hold of me and refused to let go. Although the cold is still lingering, I figured I better get this post done before January ended.…
It’s the morning after the night before… Actually, it’s the “evening” after the night before. Last night, I had a public reading of the play (“Out to the Folks”) I’ve been working on for two years. And I’m still basking in the afterglow… However, I don’t want to fall into the trap that I usually fall…
Monday was a good day. It didn’t start that way, but it’s funny how one thing can change your entire outlook on the day. Sunday night and early Monday morning were devoted to completing the next draft of my play “Mommy’s Mask”. I had started writing the play 5 years ago when I took a…
This week, I started the Independent Television Producer (ITP) program which is part of the Ontario Self-Employed Benefit (OSEB) program. Basically, it’s a program to teach me how to run my own business. Last year, I was outsourced and gladly became part of the unemployed. I had hated my job for years. Although it had…
Old situations, New complications, Nothing portentous or polite; Tragedy tomorrow, Comedy tonight! A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum My play “Out to the Folks” is being read tonight at Theatre Aquarius at 9pm. And I’m nervous. Being on stage is less stressful to me than having someone else reciting lines I…
peter gruner 