Write a Short Play! (2 of 4)

For Part 1 in the "Write a Short Play" series, click here

Annual Call for Scripts: Submission Guidelines

Did you manage to think of a great character over the weekend? Ready to do something with him or her? Excellent! Let's go...

Exercise 2: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Your character might be leaving their lover, or running for office, or both! Now that you have a character, what action will he or she take?

Once you've thought of something your character does, think about how many different ways your character can do this thing. Think of the song, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."


Make a list of 10 different ways your character can do the action you've thought of.

So, for example, Jane is breaking up with her boyfriend. She can:

1. Call
2. Text
3. Email
4. Wait until Valentine's Day
5. Have a compassionate conversation with him after dinner
6. Pack her bags and leave
7. Tell him to leave
8. Fake her own death
9. Force him to break up with her first
10. Put on her sneakers and literally run away

The list could go on, with a little creative thinking.

Obviously, some of these options merit explanation or justification if you plan to use them in your short play. (Take #8 for example. You're probably thinking, "...Seriously?" I know, I know. This is why yours truly is just a literary assistant, not a playwright. You're the brilliant ones!)

You'll have to think about the circumstances that surround what your character does, as well as the believability of your character's actions. Why does he or she want to do this thing? What consequences will he or she face if she takes any of these actions? Is it likely that he or she will be successful?

Naturally, your next impulse may be to decide what's getting in his or her way. Jane wants to break up with her boyfriend, but... what? You'll have to visit the blog again to find out!

Make a list of 10 ways for your character to take an action, and come back for Part 3!

To find more information about our annual call for scripts, click here.