Hermit wants out!

Howdy. I'm just wondering if anyone can give a fledgling writer a few tips. I have many scripts for comedy skits, but i also have a ten minute play that I'm pretty happy with. It's a "meninist" play, about a modern man's emancipation from a life he felt he had no control or respect in. I have Asperger's Syndrome,(which means I write ALOT....it IS compulsive)but sometimes renders me a bit derrrr when it comes to the 'unwritten social rules',or the politics of being accepted into a group/clique, etc.Which.....grrr...there seem to be a bit of in the arty world. So...what ARE the rules? What do I do with my work? Should I just send it out willy-nilly, or should I be protective? Thanks in advance to anyone who is reading and wants to respond. :-) Tad

You shouldn't send it out willy-nilly, but you shouldn't be over-protective either. Do some research and learn where scripts are accepted, and where they aren't. But also remember that rejection is part of life, and that companies and producers are already swamped (swamped!) with scripts and submissions. Remember that if your play is produced, it could be changed, edited, or reworked without your knowledge or consent (which is why it is better to have your script only produced locally) - and figure out whether that's ok with you or not, and proceed accordingly. Send the script to local script centers/agents (you can find some handy links here, under 'scripts'), where they support writers. The Victorian Writers Centre is one such place (I checked your membership info to find out your location, and provide better advice). If you do send your script out, be sure to have your copyright plastered on every page; there are some dodgy people out there, who know nothing about copyrights. If you are unsure about what to do, visit the Copyright Council (also listed in my links above). You can also try the national playwrights organisations for courses, events, info, etc. I would also suggest submitting a play to Melbourne's 'Short and Sweet', which is practically one of the only play competitions around in our town. There are smaller playwrighting groups around that offer readings, and fringe companies often put out calls for playwrights and their plays. I believe Chapel off Chapel had one this month; La Mama also accept submissions, but they are extremely difficult to get accepted. You can also join local writing groups - I did at one point, and enjoyed hearing feedback about my scripts from people who only wrote poetry. The good thing is they are much more likely to have informal group readings; and will see your writing in a different light. One of the biggest things you may need to do is to have your play read and get advice from a dramaturg. This is usually costly, but it seems these days you can't submit your script to any award/competition, without some formal drafting process. However, the good news is that a lot of local amateur groups use plays from lesser known people. Camberwell Theatre Co. does (or used to... I'm not up to date on this) a short play competition. The best advice though - find some friends, colleagues, or actors, and produce it yourself. That's pretty much the only way you're going to see it on stage. You may want to do a search on this site for other forum threads which have some good advice for playwrights. I wouldn't worry to much about your syndrome; there are plenty of artists who have plenty of problems (hey, I know a deaf film director!). If you put in the effort, then you will succeed! I have a friend who has produced several of his own scripts, but has been lucky enough to win several awards at the Short and Sweet competitions. Now his short plays are being performed all over the world (granted, not really for any money or royalties, but it's a start!). Good luck! Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Thanks for all of that! Re: "my" syndrome...It's very much a artisty/music/abstract difference. Alot of 'artistic' types have similar issues with social/emotional stuff. (Depression, social anxieties, different way of expressing themselves, etc)Cos they're special :-) And sensitive. And have different perception, but, I agree that I'm not any 'specialer' than anyone else! We all human. We all need a hand occasionally, and we all we all have something to give in return. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Should I put an ad on here asking for people who maybe looking for scripts? Or is that kind of fruitless way to go about it?

Thanks for all of that! Re: "my" syndrome...It's very much a artisty/music/abstract difference. Alot of 'artistic' types have similar issues with social/emotional stuff. (Depression, social anxieties, different way of expressing themselves, etc)Cos they're special :-) And sensitive. And have different perception, but, I agree that I'm not any 'specialer' than anyone else! We all human. We all need a hand occasionally, and we all we all have something to give in return. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Should I put an ad on here asking for people who maybe looking for scripts? Or is that kind of fruitless way to go about it?

Woops! My first time posting. I posted it twice!

No worries - I wish you all the best! You can advertise yourself here; plenty of others do. But I'm not sure how much of a response you will get. Your best bet is to find the local groups I mentioned above, and chat to people face-to-face. ... There is also a site (I forget what one now, but I know it will be in the links list I provided, somewhere in the 'job hunting:tas' section) which posts regular info for playwrights. I think it's the Ozscript link. They also have other information and you can submit your plays there too. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

If you look around this site you will find a number of people who produce their own scripts. I do for example. You need to find a group of people who will work with you to get your play on. In the meantime, Short and Sweet is a great idea. You could also try and find some groups that do new work and submit. You'll get a lot of rejection and sometimes your script will simply vanish without trace but don't give up. As for your disability I'm a borderline bi-polar (That's something I've never admitted to before on this site) so while it's different from Aspbergers I know how coping with being "different" can be difficult. Keep on going. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

Will get back into the researching all of those sites you've passed to me!!Baby steps :-) Thanks heaps for the freeflowing advice!

I didn't know that. I too have depression, so I understand the difficulties. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

The above provide excellent advise. I am happy to provide you with any guidance as well. duncanglobal@brinkster.net I am based in Sydney

All this advice is getting me re-inspired! While juggling school, kids, life, etc BUT writing is about ideas; many of which I get out there doing all that! So glad to have few more concrete ideas on what to DO with those ideas now. It sounds less daunting.

Don't forget, you don't have to leave your home to be a writer these days. Just create a blog, or join an online publication (there are plenty out on the net that let you write and submit your own articles)... there's no shortage of ways to write online these days. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip