How to Write a Play

by David Carter

A reference for the aspiring playwright. It covers the writing of stage, film, TV and radio plays and gives guidance on ideas, dialogue, plots, exposition and climax. It also discusses putting on the play, including self-production, marketing and the financial aspects.

145 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 1998

Reviews

[TreforL · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some of his examples seem dreadfully old hat, Carter writes from experience and this 1998 offering does provide numerous useful pointers, particularly in technical aspects of character development and plotting. He is a hard task master at times, demanding that each dramatic climax should be greater than the previous one and pushing the importance of sub-plots, but he's not wrong. There is plenty to learn here, most of all the importance of various forms of planning before a line of dialogue is ever written. Carter's writing is generous and entertaining. He doesn't pontificate from on high and is not afraid to share some of the hard lessons he learned. Recommended.