I AM WRITING. Yes, I have stumbled free of the lifeless writing desert in which I wandered for the last few years - with a vengeance! Alleluia.
My life took a delightful 180 last fall when I was cast in a local production by a new theatre company. (Preview and pics of rehearsal). Two weeks into rehearsals, I began writing plays.
My plays are all character driven - starting with a few people in an opening scene or situation. I have no idea who these people are, what their story is about, the turning points, the larger message, etc. My only job is to record what the characters say and do... And then edit the thing into a producible play. I've finished four one acts that vary in length from 7 minutes to 1 hour, and have a longer play in the initial stages.
I've never written character-driven stuff before. It is fun. Way fun. More alluring than reading, yet with none of the grunge feeling of addiction. Now I get what other writers mean when they say, "I can't wait to get started and find out what my characters are going to do today."
Writing has never been this self-generating and irresistible. It seems I have stumbled on my "writing medium" - which feels a little odd after writing seriously in other formats for over 20 years. Not that I won't continue with creative non-fiction, etc. (I still intend to find an outlet for the memoir of my monastic sojourn), but WOW.
This is also interesting in that I was kicked out of the monastery 5 years ago last November. In classic grief healing mode, perhaps I am finally ready to center my life elsewhere.
Peace all,
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