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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2306-.html
Drama: April 02, 2008 Issue [#2306]

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Drama


 This week:
  Edited by: StephBee
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

** Image ID #1197029 Unavailable **


Drama is:

#1 - The Greek word for "action."

#2 - A real situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.

Well, first I'd like to take a second and welcome Joy to the full time Drama Editors crew. She has a wonderful "heartbeat" on drama and we're happy to have her aboard.

This month I'd like to take a look at biographies and how they fit into drama writing.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

A biography is a work, written or film, that examines the lives of real people. Biographies have long been tapped for dramatic purposes. As early as 472 B.C., with the Greek play, Persae by Aeschylus, a story about the Persian's navy defeat by the Greeks, biographical writing has played a long rich role in drama writing.

One of the most influential playwrights in biographical drama is William Shakespeare. He's best known for plays like Richard III, Henry V, and MacBeth. The richness of how he portrays his subjects within these historical plays has added a depth to the subject which resonates even today.

Preparing to write the Historical Drama

1. Research

Research is very important. You, the writer, need to strive for accuracy. Material such as letters, notes, diaries, and newspaper accounts are excellent sources for information on your subject. If you are researching someone in the 20th Century, you might find ample research material online. "You Tube" is an excellent contemporary source for information.

2. Take Notes

Start with the subject's birth, review their early influences, and lead the reader through those events that the subject was recognized for.

3. Organize

Organize your notes into the order you want to write your story in.

4. The Extras

Add the little quirks of your subject into your writing. This helps to humanize them to the reader. For example, Julius Cesar was an epileptic. Franklin D. Roosevelt had polio. Queen Victoria supposedly carried the gene for hemophilia which was spread throughout the royal houses of Europe.

Recent Historical Biographies:

One historical biography that's playing now is "John Adams" on HBO. What helps to make this series work is the detail to the descriptions, the time, and place. On Showtime, there's "The Tudors," which captures the world of Henry VIII. I'm a big fan of "The Tudors," and while there are some historical inaccuracies, it captures the essence of time period well and it stays pretty true to Henry VIII's story.

Anyone have any favorite historical biographies they'd like to share? I'd love to hear about them. If you have a product review you'd like to share, send me an email.

EDITOR'S CHALLENGE

Write me a one-act play based on an event in one of the following subject's lives:

A. Franklin D. Roosevelt
B. Albert Einstein
C. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
D. Princess Diana
E. Babe Ruth

Sources for this newsletter:
http://home.nwciowa.edu/rhubbard/drama

NEXT: A look at Crime/True Crime Drama


Editor's Picks

My picks this month focus on historical biographies.

 Silent Hatred  (13+)
A perspective at the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
#1401361 by ~Kalli~


This is a poem that looks at Mary, Queen of Scots.

A biography of General Custer  (E)
A biography of General Custer. Love him or loathe him, he was an interesting character.
#1400179 by drboris


A biography on General Custer.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1401624 by Not Available.


A look at American cultural anthropologist, Ruth Fulton Benedict.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1402562 by Not Available.


A peek into the life of author, August Wilson.

 The King's Desire  (13+)
King Henry V desires one person - Katherine Valois of France.
#1406035 by StephBee


A story about Henry V.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1364200 by Not Available.


An excellent history contest here on WDC.

Here are a couple of Product Reviews that focus on biographical drama:

ASIN: 0385509847
ID #108766
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: StephBee
Review Rated: 13+
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 17.28


The Six Wives of Henry VIII   (Rated: 13+)
ASIN: 034538072X
ID #109081
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: StephBee
Review Rated: ASR
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 5.50


ASIN: 0140280553
ID #109341
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: Dr Taher writes again!
Review Rated: E
  Setting:
  Story Plot:
  Length of :
  Usefulness:
  Overall Quality:
Amazon's Price: $ 10.53

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Ask & Answer

Here are some comments regarding my last newsletter which dealt with philosophical elements in drama writing.

Coolhand
Greetings StephB,

I found the newsletter very interesting and appreciate the lesson on philosophical issues. Framing a story with elements like morality and nihilism can be extremely effective for any genre. Great job!

Best regards, Coolhand

Thanks. For me, the challenge is framing a story within those elements. I think the show, "The Sopranos," did a wonderful job working with those issues.

April Sunday
Wow, Steph -- what a great list and category titles in feedback -- maybe another trip to the library this week.

I agree. I've added some of the titles to my own reading list.

bellatrix
This issue was so informative, and I frankly can't wait for the next issue, since you said you were going to deal with biographies.

I hope you found this issue interesting. I'd love to hear about some of your favorite biographies and what makes them your favorite.

Starr* Rathburn
Another interesting newsletter. Thank-you, Steph!

Starr.r

Thanks, Starr.


A pic of me taken 2 years ago.


StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD and the mother of two young boys. Her short story, "The Wolf's Kiss," was an Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 2007 Popular Fiction Contest.

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