Creative Writing Monday 2 nd February 2015

Write for five minutes… Choose a beginning and just keep going I guessed that something was wrong as soon as I… The stale smell of the old rug made me… I always knew… If only… As the mist cleared I saw It was getting late when… As the train gathered speed, I suddenly remembered The last thing I wanted to do that day was…. Choose a beginning and just keep going I guessed that something was wrong as soon as I… The stale smell of the old rug made me… I always knew… If only… As the mist cleared I saw It was getting late when… As the train gathered speed, I suddenly remembered The last thing I wanted to do that day was….

Schedule This session An introduction to script writing Develop coursework Workshopping Next session (week beginning 9 th Feb) More on poetry/script? Writing the commentary Half term (Week beginning 16 th Feb) Week beginning 23th Feb – First draft of coursework due

A note on Coursework… … needs to show development 1.First finished draft … needs to show development 1.First finished draft Bring your first drafts to the workshop Come away with notes for development

A note on Coursework 2. Take feedback away with you & develop

Aims: Introduce Script & Workshop Recap coursework Contribute key ideas to ‘what makes an effective workshop?’ Analyse a script and discuss ‘elements of a play’ Outline the stylistic conventions of a play Write to conventions Workshop own work following guidelines Recap coursework Contribute key ideas to ‘what makes an effective workshop?’ Analyse a script and discuss ‘elements of a play’ Outline the stylistic conventions of a play Write to conventions Workshop own work following guidelines

The Workshop What would you hope to achieve by sharing your work with other writers in the class? What kinds of advice might you give to your fellow writers? Discuss these questions in your groups and list reasons for both What would you hope to achieve by sharing your work with other writers in the class? What kinds of advice might you give to your fellow writers? Discuss these questions in your groups and list reasons for both

A Script In your groups, read aloud through the script – nominate people to read parts and the director’s information In your groups – discuss the following questions In your groups, read aloud through the script – nominate people to read parts and the director’s information In your groups – discuss the following questions

The Art of Dramatic Writing Three important elements Premise Character Conflict Three important elements Premise Character Conflict

Play writing activity Think of two characters One has more power than the other Put them in a place – describe the set in great detail – so much that the audience will know who has the power at first glance Who speaks first and what do they say? You could try reversing roles – (just go with it) Think about speech – pauses, repetition, overlapping Think of two characters One has more power than the other Put them in a place – describe the set in great detail – so much that the audience will know who has the power at first glance Who speaks first and what do they say? You could try reversing roles – (just go with it) Think about speech – pauses, repetition, overlapping

You could also try… Writing down overheard conversations Writing down dreams Writing a complaint to a newspaper (shows a lot about one) Write about an event that’s happened to you as if you’re telling someone about it Writing down overheard conversations Writing down dreams Writing a complaint to a newspaper (shows a lot about one) Write about an event that’s happened to you as if you’re telling someone about it

Structure What are the conventions of a script? Make a list of things that could/should be included What are the conventions of a script? Make a list of things that could/should be included

Simon Stephens ZHdc ZHdc

The workshop Use the provided guidelines to workshop your work Ensure everyone is able to share – and that everyone’s work is given equal attention! Use the provided guidelines to workshop your work Ensure everyone is able to share – and that everyone’s work is given equal attention!

Links Screenwriting 5mG4 5mG4 Writing a play Screenwriting 5mG4 5mG4 Writing a play

Links On premise Fiction Writing On premise Fiction Writing