News from the Ink Front: Script Workshop

The Script Writing Workshop was a friendly, informative and enjoyable evening last week. Five of us met and shared pieces of our scripts. Our writers write for various media - stage, screen, radio, and we each bring a few scenes. Other people in the room read the parts so the author can hear the work. It's amazing what you pick up just by hearing someone else say your lines.

Two of our screen plays are historicals, and I am amazed by the amount of knowledge of their period these writers have. They have really done their homework and it shows in every line, with the way the story rings true, the little details giving it a flavour that makes us want to move in to the world and find out more. Anyone who says writing is easy should watch these writers at work and know the effort they have put in to making it look easy.

Two more members are writing contemporary pieces, so of course, the flavour of their world IS authentic, because they're living it. But their situations ring true, their characters are alive and real, their dialogue natural and flowing. I am in awe of them.

And then there is me. I'm writing a piece for my church. It'll be two acts, and is obviously theologically based. Theological fantasy, I suppose you'd call it. Sort of Pilgrim's Progress meets Heaven Can Wait meets Clockwork. I don't know if it's as good on the page (and stage) as it is in my head, but one thing is for sure. It's better today than it was before it was read out at the Script Workshop.

If you think you'd like to try your hand at writing for performance, why not join us. You can come along and see if the media is for you, or if you already have a script, bring it and hear it read, followed by constructive and helpful criticism.

Contact me at hilary.mack@talk21.com if you'd like to know more.