" Even if you're writing a biopic, you still have to carve a character out of all that real life material." Yes. You remind me of Dorothy Allison's approach to fiction: fiction is the lie that tells the truth.
All of this is so true. Playwrights I know so often say, 'That's the way it really happened.' I find that frustrating because there is so much potential in every story. But as you say, 'Life happens slowly. Generally without much urgency.' If that's the way it really happened, the story may fall flat.
Yes, people think they are serving the story by trying to write "what really happened." There has to be a way for playwrights to loosen their grips on the actual and go for something beyond what really happened. It's a hard thing to do, but it always improves the work.
" Even if you're writing a biopic, you still have to carve a character out of all that real life material." Yes. You remind me of Dorothy Allison's approach to fiction: fiction is the lie that tells the truth.
Oooh, I love that! Yes!
All of this is so true. Playwrights I know so often say, 'That's the way it really happened.' I find that frustrating because there is so much potential in every story. But as you say, 'Life happens slowly. Generally without much urgency.' If that's the way it really happened, the story may fall flat.
Yes, people think they are serving the story by trying to write "what really happened." There has to be a way for playwrights to loosen their grips on the actual and go for something beyond what really happened. It's a hard thing to do, but it always improves the work.