Jumping off point?

I love #3. I should really try that one.

Thanks!

I've used the google image trick a couple of times. Works like a charm!

Here's some other ideas:

1. Ride a bus or streetcar. Discretely listen to conversations or observe people there, and come up with backstories for them.
2. Find a small town newspaper. There's always a Pumpkinfest or a local sports team or an obituary. Heck, big city papers have obituaries in them.
3. If you are more of a visual sort, Google images with a description word or phrase eg. "anger management" "bowled over" "bellicose" "wonderful" "inheritance" and see what you get.
4. Figure out a character name, and then put them in odd situations to see what they tell you or how they act. Mabel Stitsky goes go-karting. Khani Qatar gets sucked into his company's paintball team. Julian Von Starr decides not to do another porn shoot.
5. Grab a book or short story you like, and find the best "first line" of a chapter or section, and use it to launch yourself without actually including it in the play.

Hope these help!

Thumps

I do one of the following:

1. An exercise described by Jeff Sweet in "Solving Your Script." It involves creating a monologue around a noun - an idea - but never using that word in the monologue. It helps me remember the importance of subtext. Or,

2. I look at paintings by Edward Hopper and create scenes based on the painting, or

3. I look at a random photo of someone, and find an antique from an antique book. I create an emotional need for the character surrounding the object, which can be later negotiated over in a scene with another character. Or,

4. I read a short story by Anton Chekhov.

From there, I just start writing. During a rewrite, I figure out if this is is a play that takes time to develop, and slowly moves to a steady rhythm until a no-holds-barred climax, or, if it's a story that drops you right down in the middle of the action, a moment of incredible tension, and build from there.

Just some thoughts ;)

Best,
JpB

Hi Laura !

I really like looking at pictures through Flickr ( the interestingness and explore sometimes are good inspiration). Also, small articles and local news can be good jumping off points. Another thing you can do is go to a public place and listen to a conversation and have that conversation be your jumping off start.
Good luck !

I'm going to buy her a $10 secret prize if she finishes NAPLWRIMO.

hearts,
Adrienne Dawes
Favorite Playwright of VonHottie
#2 to Sarah Kane