Essential Equipment

Here you will find a multitude of useful suggestions from our playwrights. Some of these you will be able to get at your local office supplies shop, some will have to be dredged from the deep recesses of your subconscious and some you can probably just nick from your friends.

…tenacity and a paid job –playwriting doesn’t pay the bills (usually) (Jane Harrison)

I guess a computer is good. And maybe some good pictures… I always collect photographs, art books, toys etc that remind of a feeling or moment that might happen in what I am about to begin writing. Also, I find music is a really big help…. Something that will inspire you, but won’t get on your nerves. (Lally Katz)

Thick skin. You’ll have to rewrite. Sometimes admit it isn’t working yet. Your great idea has already been had by someone else, so let it go. (Michael Gow)

The ability to imagine others as strongly and vividly as possible. To feel them inside yourself, living at the moment of writing. (Catherine Zimdahl)

Talent plus curiosity about people and things. Most importantly, try and involve oneself with all aspects of theatre, even acting, just to get a feel of the whole process. And be excited by language. (Louis Nowra)

A capacity for solitude—you’re going to be spending a lot of time on your own with only your computer for company… (Noelle Janaczewska)

Computer and a word program. (A laptop is ideal) Printer… Email account. Membership with Australian Writers Guild …Membership with PlayWriting Australia, Biog and a photo (properly taken) so that you are ready to go into programs etc.. Ask an experienced playwright or two for a copy of the play format they use when writing…they have usually finessed it as the years have gone by. Get yourself the handbooks for the Australia Council and your state government arts bodies so that you can see where and when funding is available. If you can, collect precedents for writing funding applications too, it’s an art all its own! (Suzie Miller)

A good mate when no-one wants to produce your work and you experience the usual raft of rejections that one does. Colleagues whose feedback you respect and will take heed of.

And remember that throughout your practice, you’ll receive heaps of (more often than not) conflicting advice from so many people – just like this. So be like the reed that can bend with the stream, grasshopper. (Catherine Ryan)