I just got back from my playwriting workshop, The Drama Lab. And all I can say is, why didn't I start one earlier?
Writing is the loneliest of artistic pursuits. Hunkering over a laptop for hours every day doesn't exactly contribute to social agility. Plus, writers tend to be introverted anyway, keeping the world at a safe and observable distance.
So it can be easy to get down about your own writing. I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted to toss out my current work, a dark backstage farce titled Kill the Critic! In fact, I did set it aside for two years because I didn't know where to take it.
But now I'm working hard on it and making progress. And it's all because of the Drama Lab. Their comments help me point the story and characters in the right direction. Their laughter lets me know which jokes work and which don't. And their energy makes me eager to go home and write more.
If you're a playwright, I strongly recommend you join a playwrtiting workshop. Don't have one in your town? Start one.
Seriously, if I can do it (and I'm the least outgoing human on the planet), anyone can.
