I’m in a transitional mode. Everything to date is either on hold for future workshops or test productions, or in the formatting stage, or put off to the side because I’m at a crossroads – I’m working on a one hour cutting of ‘Othello’ that is about 15 pages still too long and I think I’m about at the limit of cuts before the intention of the piece of compromised. (Grrrr)
So I need new plays to work on! I always have a list of ideas or titles on hand. I pulled it out this week added a few more that I had written down in various notebooks (I have a brain like a sieve so if an idea comes I have to write it down right away) and all of a sudden I’m looking at ten possible plays. Ten? Hmmmm.
Having too many ideas is not always great. Cause I really have no idea where to start! Which do I go with? Comedy? Drama? Adaptation? Some of these are more developed than others, do I go with one of those? Or something completely fresh? What do I dooooooooo????????
Aw, it’s not really that bad. A clean notebook and a pen that’s all I need to get started. I set myself time limits and sit in my writing chair just trying to let the ideas flow. Sometimes that involves a lot of staring out the window but I’m pretty good at stream of consciousness writing. It’s part of the writing process that I love and hate. I love the feeling of writing without having a defined focus, and I hate it when I’m writing and I know the ideas are blech but I have to keep going.
I started the research stage for a play version of Leaves of Grass earlier in the year. Going back over my notes has revived my interest. It’s going to be slow going and tough. I’m working on the themes in the work I want to highlight and how different characters will represent those themes. The poetry is beautiful and there are certainly characters there but words without story is a play’s downfall.
I’ve also got an idea for a comedy about censorship. All I’ve got so far is the title.
I did an hour of stream of consciousness writing on the idea of two teens who have to kiss in a drama scene and the conflict that brings about.
It’s all good. Transitions are good!
