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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3527-.html
Drama: February 03, 2010 Issue [#3527]

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Drama


 This week:
  Edited by: StephBee Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The Drama Masks.


DRAMA IS:

#1 - The Greek word for "action."

#2 - A real life situtation or succession of events having the dramatic progression of a play.

Drama is the script or play brought to life. Representative of drama are the masks - one comedy, one tragedy. Modern day drama has expanded to include a multitude of several sub-genres, not just comedy and tragedy.

In this newsletter, I'll be giving you an overview of what a script/play is so you can determine if it is something you might be interested in pursuing.

On a personal note, this is my last Drama Newsletter as a regular editor. (I might come back for a guest spot here or there) The Romance/Love Newsletter became available and I took advantage of the opportunity to try something a little different.

My first Drama Newsletter was in January 2007. This is my 41st Drama Newsletter. I can't believe I've been around that long!

It's been a great journey for me. I've met some great people who edited this newsletter and I've learned a lot from them. The highlight of my time here was putting together a 1 act play, "War and Wine," which I'll include in the picks below. Thank you so much for your feedback, comments and critiques over the years. It's helped me to grow as a writer and an editor.

And now - Onto the show!


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

According to the "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing" by Laurie E. Rozakis, drama is literature intended to be performed in front of an audience. (I like the Guide to Creative Writing, it's been very helpful to me when I need to reference something) The main elements of a drama include: characters, dialogue, setting, and stage direction.

Plays are usually written in acts. Think of it like this: a one act play usually has 4-6 scenes and is usually equal to a short story. A two - three act play is usually equal to a novel. Nowadways, plays are usually crafted as two act plays with an intermission between the acts and they run about 90 minutes long.

*Note1* Musicals are a bit different from plays in that they use songs to advance the plot. They can be 1, 2, or 3 act plays.

*****


When you get ready to write your play, you should establish a checklist to reference for those working behind the scenes to help put it together. This is so they can work on props and scenery. You should list:

"A play in ___ acts"
The setting
The cast of characters

*Note1* It is helpful if you can give a scene breakfown for each act, but this is optional.

*Note2* Remember to number your pages
*Note2* Center the above information before diving into Act 1, Scene 1.

Stage Directions: are usually included in the dialgoue and are written in parentheses or italics. These directions tell the actor/director how to play the character.

*****


Structure, Characters, and Conflict are important to your play. They are the glue that holds the play together. Here are some elements to keep in mind as you write:

STRUCTURE
Is the opening exciting?
Is the plot clear?

CHARACTERS
Are they defined?
Are they consistent?

CONFLICT:
Is it believable?
Is it resolved in a logical way?

This is just a broad overview of what to expect if you tackle script/play writing. It's not all just about dialogue. You have to consider your characters, setting, and scene directions as well. It's a different KIND of writing from manuscript writing, but once you master it, it can be very rewarding.

Results from the last HOT DRAMA POLL


Question: What is your favorite Awards show?

#1 - The Oscars
#2 - The BAFTRA awards.

*Exclaim* FYI - Anne Hathaway will be helping to announce the Oscar nominations on 2 FEB 2010. This year's show will be air on 7 MAR 2010.

FEATURED PRODUCT REVIEW


Writing Fiction   (Rated: ASR)
ASIN: 1408101319
ID #110173
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: Faery Author Icon
Review Rated: E
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Reference for this Newsletter: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing, 2nd Edition by Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D., 2004, Alpha Books.


Thank you so much for sharing my Drama experience with you these past 3 years, and I hope to see you soon at the Romance/Love NL starting in March.



Editor's Picks

Here are some pics from around the site:

FOLDERS:

 1- Stories of romance and drama Open in new Window. (13+)
Collection of romantic and dramatic short stories.
#385658 by Kactus Berry Author IconMail Icon


 
FOLDER
It's All About the Drama Open in new Window. (13+)
Tales of the (extra)ordinary happening to folks just like you...
#1509537 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon


STORIES:

Hello to her, Goodbye to her. Open in new Window. (13+)
The future seen by one father through the memories of another.
#105735 by Kactus Berry Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
A Lonely Life Open in new Window. (13+)
A visit to my father teaches me the most important lesson of all
#1129409 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon


SCRIPTS/PLAYS

 A Decision Made Open in new Window. (E)
Dramatic scene between the future Queen Elizabeth I and her brother, Edward.
#1209633 by Elizabeth Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1427653 by Not Available.


War and Wine Open in new Window. (13+)
Young Edmund Huet struggles to maintain his family's vineyard during World War II.
#1452559 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


SOME DRAMA ACTIVITIES

Drama Forum Open in new Window. (13+)
For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions
#1394242 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


Dramatically Speaking Open in new Window. (E)
25 terms for 25 issues of the drama newsletter
#1309038 by Turkey DrumStik Author IconMail Icon



 
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Ask & Answer

Here's some feedback from my 6 JAN 2010 Newsletter:

Adriana Noir Author IconMail Icon
Great tips on writing a good military piece, Steph!

Joy Author IconMail Icon
Great newsletter, Steph!
Using the correct military words is very important because they validate the writer. As to the "Research the Place" in your NL, that came up in my NaNo novel of World War II. Luckily I did the research and found out that some of the bases now in use were not established then, whereas there were others in use that are closed now. Research always helps. *Smile*

YOUR FULL TIME DRAMA EDITORS:
Joy Author IconMail Icon
Adriana Noir Author IconMail Icon
esprit Author IconMail Icon

A pic of me taken 2 years ago.

StephBee Author IconMail Icon is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "The Hungarian," is due out in May 2010 with Desert Breeze Publishing. Her book, "The Giving Meadow," is due out in April 2010 with 4RV Publishing. Her story, "Roytal Pretender," is coming soon in the Cupid Diaries.

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