Playwriting 101 Resources
Once you start writing, you are a playwright
The following resources are designed to help you in your career as a playwright. These links are updated when new resources come in.
Combating Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is a side effect of waiting for inspiration. Lightning rarely strikes on its own, so help it along. Work through the block.
If you find yourself stuck or uninspired, write through the block. Write anything. What is the character doing? What are they thinking? What are you feeling? What does the world think about the situation? How does the frustration feel and how might it relate to the show? Anything. Remember that inspiration comes from the work, while perfection comes from the rewrite. Just get something down, anything. It’s the raw material you’ll use to complete your show. Fix it after. The important thing is that you started.
A first draft is your first step. It’s the equivalent of pulling the clay out of the package. You’ll refine it and make something beautiful with it after you pry it out of the carton. Your first draft is that hunk of clay.
If you get stuck, remember that bad work is okay. The job of the first draft is to get it on paper. Give yourself permission to do bad work. Give yourself permission to fail in the first draft. Trust in your ability to fix it later.
Don’t worry about spelling, formatting, or grammar. Don’t worry about doing your best. Focus more on finding the story and exploring. Focus on the freedom a first draft gives you. Focus on giving yourself enough to cut in the edit.
Format Links
Play Format Word
Play Format Word Template
Play Format Google Doc
For the Audio Movie format used in Dagaz Media and Realm series, use a screenplay format.
Format Examples
Dramatist Guild
Stageplay
Podcast
BBC US Radio Drama
Modern Audio Movie
Software Links
All you need is a pen and paper.
Google Docs is fine.
Does Google Docs use its content to train AI?
No. According to Google’s Security Data Usage: “Google does not use any of your content (such as documents and predictions) for any purpose except to provide you with the Document AI service. See section 17 of the Google Cloud Terms of Service.
At Google Cloud, we never use customer data to train our Document AI models.”
Writing Apps
Free Formatter - David Guaspari
Word (template link above)
Google Docs (template link above)
Final Draft also How to use Final Draft for Stageplays
Scrivener
Celtx
Practical Screenwriter (For BBC Format Stage, Screen, and Radio)
Support Apps
Scappel - Mind Mapping Software
Limit Distractions
StayFocusd - Chrome Extension
Noisli
Submission Resources
NYC Playwrights
Play Submission Helper Blog
Dramatist Guild (Membership Required)
New Play Exchange (Membership Required)
Community Facebook Groups
The Playwright Connection
Kat's Play & Musical Submission Central
Playwriting Submissions & Competitions
Support Links
The Playwright Connection
Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Virginia Holguin for her list recommendations. Thanks Virgy!