SO YOU WANNA WRITE A PLAY ? 2

THE CAST

The Bible is especially useful for characters. It is far too easy to forget names and details and without realising it, change them midway.

"Who's this Mandy person? We haven't see her before."

To avoid confusion start each cast member's name with a different letter. Avoid names that sound too alike. Make the names relevant for the time period of the play.

CHARACTERS: Characters need to be likable and or/ identifiable with and or/interesting. Interesting covers a multitude.

Boring characters are usually boring. But they can be funny IF... they are cleverly written. But hey, if you try that one, check it out with a friend you can trust before you release it on the world.

Baddies need to be intresting or some degree of sly / horrifying / mesmerising / shocking/ surprising etc. Or whatever your having yourself.

WRITE A C.V. FOR EVERY CHARACTER: Start with Date of Birth.

Place of Birth.   Where they grew up. Where they live now.  

Social background. Education. Work. Financial status.  

Parents. Siblings. Position in the family. Type of upbringing.  

Back story, ie. relevant incidents from the past.

Whatever further information you can think of.

Most of this information will never appear in the play BUT it will inform you. Consulting it and will keep you on track. It will also suggest storylines, dialogue, developments, dramas and scenes.

For example: Birthdays offer celebrations expected, unexpected or forgotten. Gifts that are wanted, disappointing or uwanted. Guests who are welcome or unwelcome. Singing. Dancing. Rows and fights.

You are unlikely to be able to complete The Bible at one go. But, as things occur to you, you can add them in. And you can always change details to better suit as the story develops.

Keep all this information together in one file. I like to print it out, and keep the hard copy by my side. This probably makes me a computer idiot but, I find it easier and quicker than switching screens.

THE WRITER'S BIBLE

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