Tom Derrington’s newest diary on what a author does in addition to writing
Ernest Hemmingway’s quote – “The only kind of writing is rewriting” – makes me not need to do any extra writing, ever.
Annoyingly although, it does appear to be true.
It’s one factor, fortunately tapping on a laptop computer, chuckling away to myself, for enjoyable, when the youngsters are quick asleep. But the prospect of realizing that precise actors will quickly be inhabiting this created world, dedicating their helpful time to rehearsing and performing precisely what the characters will say and do, in entrance of a dwell, paying viewers who’re there to be entertained. It out of the blue makes me realise that truly… Hemmingway was bang on. The complete fucking factor must be rewritten!
1 March
After our preliminary desk learn final month, I requested the forged and director to ship me over any notes on issues they thought could possibly be modified, eliminated, strengthened. I actually need this undertaking to be as collaborative as potential.
8 March
Three emails, a number of zoom calls and a little bit of an argument with my mum, later – I now have a pile of prolonged, detailed notes to start out working by way of. Rehearsals start in April and I’ve promised to ship a last draft earlier than they get underway.
13 March
I don’t understand how different writers strategy it, however I appear to be spending quite a lot of time on the previous ‘trimming the fat’ kind of rewriting. Forever tweaking bits of dialogue and eliminating wasted phrases or pointless exposition. And truly – I discover it fairly enjoyable. I ponder how a lot might be deleted earlier than the script not makes any sense to anybody?
16 March
…so the reply is about three days of relentless ‘fat trimming’. Got too excited, reduce waaaayy an excessive amount of – accidently saved over the sooner variations and so now I’m having to return and add phrases and features (and possibly a great deal of pointless exposition together with it), simply to attempt to make it make any type of sense once more. Annoying and never as a lot enjoyable.
18 March
The argument with my mum (who I’ve roped in to play the lead character on this play) stems from her opening few scenes. She doesn’t actually just like the construction. And I do. She’s unsure it really works. I believe it does. A tough one!
This is the type of rewriting that I discover most tough – attempting to reshape one thing fully, regardless of already being fairly pleased with it. I assume it is a ability that the perfect writers have all managed to grasp and I nonetheless have to study. Somehow, with the ability to enhance a draft by discovering a steadiness between performing on helpful structural notes – while on the identical time, not shedding possession of the story I’m attempting to inform. Definitely one thing I have to work on.
25 March
After quite a lot of stressing, redrafting and virtually giving up on the entire thing – I believe I’ve lastly discovered a brand new opening that would truly work higher. Everyone appears comfortable. But that was a horrible course of.
27 March
Finished up, as greatest I may, engaged on the opposite notes – and that’s that. Boom! The last, accomplished rehearsal draft has simply been despatched over to the forged and director, on time! – Sent with the e-mail topic: “Most of this might very well change a lot when you guys actually start rehearsing it.” – Probably not very useful.
28 March
Poster designed. First social media posts are out. It’s official, my very first play in London is happening and to be trustworthy, I’m fully shit-scared about it. But anyway, please excuse the shameless plug:
BOUNCE by Tom Derrington can be carried out on the Lion & Unicorn Theatre.
6-10 June.
Tickets now accessible right here
Please come watch. I’ll be within the bar earlier than and certain afterwards. Perhaps even throughout – relying on the way it all goes.
As at all times, our due to Tom for locating the time in his busy schedule to maintain this diary. We’ll actually be going to assist the play in June, so do be part of us there.