Facing The ‘Turge.
2017-03-13
So, ok, you’ve got yourself a dramaturgical appointment—with a reputable dramaturge who has clean ears and a clear mind, hopefully— but just what are you supposed to do? Read More →
Switzerland. And Impartiality.
2017-01-20
Hotly pursuing my 2017 resolution to read more plays, I’ve chivvied out a play by Joanna Murray-Smith, perhaps the most produced Australian playwright. But then there’s that David Williamson. But surely she’s the most produced female playwright. Good on her, I say.Read More →
Love first. Then disaster.
2016-12-17
A good few years ago, an Australian dramaturg I know stated the obvious (dramaturgs are good at that, and, damn it, someone has to do it); love first, then disaster, he said with power and panache as if it were a profound elemental truth of the world in general. I’m going unpack what the statement means, and then I’m going to point out the obvious—we don’t use this piece of advice enough when we are writing.Read More →
There are no rules, only examples
2016-12-07
Famous Australian playwright, Michael Gow, once said in an extraordinary writer’s workshop given at JUTE that “there are no rules, only examples”. I cannot recall if he was saying something brilliantly original, or quoting someone else who is awesome. Yeah. That would be because I don’t read enough examples.Read More →
Checklist for a Good Idea
2016-12-05
“Where do you get all your ideas?” some people ask of writers as if there is some secret trick of the trade. That’s like saying to an actor, “I don’t know how you remember all those lines!” There is no trick. It’s just what happens. Writers get ideas. But that’s not to say anything after the getting of an idea is easy.Read More →
Belarus Free Theatre and What’s The Point?
2016-12-02
I know most of you all want to write something insightful, stirring, meaningful, and gobsmackingly clever and on point. But what if what you wrote got you into trouble. Serious trouble. Like dead.Read More →
Whose Story is It Anyway?
2016-12-01
Writers are bower birds, so watch out what you say around them! We’ll pick up on any old event or situation you name and immediately start plotting a story. We often find ourselves telling stories about the experiences of other people. But hold on. Some stories are not yours to tell.Read More →
Incredible marks on a page.
2016-11-30
What’s it all for? Writing. Why do you write anything? What’s the compulsion? Do you understand the act of writing? Are you conscious of the gift?Read More →
Script Intervention and Re-hab
2016-11-28
Ever watch that trainwreck of a reality TV show Intervention? Compelling viewing, wasn’t it, watching the details of a human tragedy unfold with the promise of redemption and release always hanging the air? See now, I’m living in my own private script intervention, complete with a rehab program, and turns out, it’s far from entertaining. Damn right unpleasant.Read More →
Them’s Fighting Words
2016-11-27
Who the hell are you as a writer? What do you stand up for? When you hear of evil and see evil, do you speak of it? Where’s them fighting words? What you got?Read More →