EDD: Write a play that is at least one page and NO MORE than two pages in this format and this format only.
YOU: Why?
EDD: Because when the plays are eventually posted for all to see this is the format they will be in and doing them in this format makes it infinitely easier for me.
YOU: Suppose I don’t want to?
EDD: Then it won’t be judged.
YOU: You got it, boss. What can the play be about?
EDD: Anything you like. However, you will need to know what I will be looking for.
YOU: What’s that, boss?
EDD: Solid writing. Solid craftsmanship. Thoughtful writing. Not writing that’s been tossed off on a lark. Solid characters. In fact, Edd loves character-driven plays. No jokes turned into play-like dialogue. In other words, write what you would be proud to attach your name to as its author.
YOU: Cool. What else boss?
EDD: When you’ve written the play send it to me directly through a friend’s email or through an account not used on this forum. Then send Paddy a PM letting her know under what name you are submitting. This is very important.
YOU: That seems like a lot of trouble. Why?
EDD: Because I’m going to snail mail you, the winner, a gift. I know too many of you to trust myself to be completely impartial. It’s that simple.
YOU: To where should I email my play?
EDD: Email your play to edd@edwardcrosbywells and put FORUM CONTEST in the subject line. DO NOT send it as an attachment ‘cause I won’t open it. Copy and paste it into the body of your email.
YOU: That sounds a bit inconvenient.
EDD: Yep! But so is buying another new computer if I get another virus. Since this posting is a public posting one never knows who might take advantage of the opportunity to send a virus.
YOU: Wow, man! Way paranoid.
EDD: Yeppers!
YOU: What else, boss?
EDD: Submit ONLY between April 1 and April 30, 2010.
YOU: Is that it?
EDD: Nope. At least six entries to validate the contest are required. Should there be less than six entries those plays that were entered will roll over to the following month, and those playwrights will have the option of entering a second play. Note that ONLY ONE play per member may be submitted. One and one only.
YOU: Sounds pretty clear to me. What happens if I forget all your rules?
EDD: Good question. Personally, I’d re-read this post as many times as it takes to figure it all out.
YOU: You be a mean man, boss.
EDD: Okay, you can ask questions beneath this post and I’ll do my best to answer them.
YOU: So that’s it, right?
EDD: Almost, you must be a member of this Forum prior to April 1, 2010.
YOU: You are finished? I’m getting a headache!
EDD: When I have made my decision, I will post all the plays on the Forum at the same time for all to read along with your Forum names that I will get from Paddy.
YOU: Please tell me you’re finished already.
EDD: Just about. In case you’re not sure what the maximum of two pages looks like, copy and paste this posting to Word or whatever you use, put it in 12 point font and you will see exactly what I’m talking about.
YOU: You mean this post is exactly two pages.
EDD: You got it, but you can fudge a bit and not use the double space as I have between the characters speaking. That'll allow you to write almost twice as much as this post represents.
YOU: That's better, I guess, but it sure doesn't look like much to me. Kind of difficult to write a play only using this much space.
EDD: You bet it is, but that's the point. Good luck, You.
Well, folks, we're getting closer to the beginning of our contest. Start writing, polishing and making those scripts the very best you can -- not for me, but for yourselves. Here is an interesting fact. Just by entering your play into this contest and getting it posted along with all the other titles, you will be read by an audience far larger than you could have reached had you won a contest with a production as its prize. Don't think of this as some silly little thing conjured by me for mere amusement. Take pride and know that your work and your name will have a platform worthy of your time and talent. So shine!
Re-read the rules and feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
If you're a lurker, now would be a good time to become a member of our forum since only members prior to April 1st are eligible. And make sure you send your entry from an email address I cannot recognize and that Paddy has your real name/screen name and the title of the play you've submitted.
So I'm in the Mercury Cafe last night here in Denver for readings of writers' work. It was all prose last evening and being dialogue and character oriented it was difficult for me to follow. I generally like to be alone, one on one, reading the writer and the work. Anyway, I signed up for a spot on next month's program where I'll be reading (and acting) "Pink Gin for the Blues" -- it's on my website.
Anyway, here's the thing. There was a bookcase filled with an eclectic assortment of books along with a sign that read FREE TO TAKE AND KEEP. I reached for one casually, blindly, not knowing what I was about to remove from one of the shelves. Wow! thought I, what a wonderful choice for the winner of our contest aside from an autographed copy of one of my plays which nobody really wants anyway. The book I retrieved was a hardcover filled with lots of photos and the complete script of "In Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe." It is a fabulous one-woman play, written by Lily Tomlin's significant other, Jane Wagner. When Ms. Tomlin was here in town with the show on tour I had the pleasure of interviewing her. Later, after the show at the party, we danced and I stepped on her foot. That's about it and I have pictures to prove it.
The bottom line is: This will be offered as one of the prizes for next month's contest.
Below is a sniping from "Sisters of Little Mercy." In it you will find stage directions and directions within the dialogue for the character only.
No need to number the pages because there should be only one, two at most. Besides when I copy and paste into Pages I will do that myself.
So, here goes. Here's an example:
PRECIOUS: My point. Surely, there is something wetter than water.
AMBROSIA: Sister Mary McMuffin’s Depends.
(AMBROSIA and PRECIOUS giggle, do a high-five and a little jig.)
MARY: I don’t wear Depends, Sister Ambrosia.
AMBROSIA: I remember differently, Sister Margarita.
MARY: Once. Just once, back in the convent—when I had that bladder infection. I haven’t needed them since. (After a pause.) I suppose you two dancin g penguins think you’re funny. Unlike you, Precious Little, I don’t suffer from short-term memory loss. So, let me repeat it once more before I do something, ladies, that all the Hail Marys said on all the beads in all the universe can’t rectify: My name is Mary Madeline. Not Magdalene, mandolin, Metamucil, Magellan, magnesium or any other M-word you can conjure. Get it?
AMBROSIA: Got it.
MARY: Good.
PRECIOUS: (Looking about—after an uncomfortable pause.) Has anyone seen Brother Francis?
Yes. And only one. HOWEVER if we don't get at least 10 entries by the end of the month, the contest will roll over into May. Those who submitted in April, and only those, get to submit a second script.
We still need at least 4 more entries. So far I have received the following titles: BUS STOP CHATS
LITTLE WHITE LIES COME TRUE
ONE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
THE DAY OF DANIEL
THE RAVAGES OF TIME
TIME FOR A CHANGE
Prizes to choose from are hardcover copies of Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe by Jane Wagner (lots of pix from Lily Tomlin's B'way show included) or Greyridge Press autographed acting editions of Flowers out of Season, 3 Guys in Drag Selling Their Stuff orPoet's Wake written by me.
I never got it. Maybe it went into my spam folder. Shirley, send it to me. I promise you and to the six other playwrights that I will be impartial. Send it, Shirley.
ALSO I will now extend the submission period to May 7th so those of you who haven't entered and wish you had, now you've got till next Friday.
