Most people think of writing as a solitary pursuit.
We get this romantic image of a man or woman sitting alone at a desk, typing or scribbling in a flurry of inspiration.
And to be sure…as a playwright, you’ll spend plenty of solitary time with your butt in a chair.
But I’m convinced this notion of the solitary scribbler does writers a grave misservice, by encouraging you to neglect the very important step of developing connections that will help support you along your way to success.
As a playwright, there’s massive value to be gained from connecting with other writers. Here are a few ways it can help:
* By getting another writer’s feedback on your work.
Getting feedback is invaluable to developing as a playwright, and few people are better qualified to critique your work than another playwright. They can give feedback on where your play is working and where it could use improvement.
* By providing inspiration and support.
Writing can be a lonely activity, and it’s not uncommon for writers to become disheartened–especially when you haven’t had success in a while. This can be tough…but other writers know what it’s like! They’re the perfect people to commiserate and help keep you motivated to keep going.
* By encouraging you to submit your work.
One of the biggest mistakes that playwrights make all the time is failing to proactively submit their work until they receive a positive response.
Fortunately, a fellow writer can help hold you accountable for submitting your work again and again.