The Working Playwright
A monthly column by Melissa Bell
One Step A Day
Writing is hard work. It takes time and energy. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the process. Our day jobs require most of our energy. Our family commitments take up the rest of the time. When do we have time to write, develop and promote our creative work?
There are some weeks when I never seem to be able to sit down and focus on my art. Like today. I just returned from a weekend trip to a family event. The suitcase is still unpacked, the laundry sits in the basket and the fridge is empty. Yet my brain is ticking and my fingers are itching for the keyboard. Something has to give.
So I satisfy the most urgent need. The need to write and create. And I follow a technique that has worked for me over the years: One Step a Day. When put into effect, it can be a powerful process. It means diving in and starting with creativity. Taking a short amount of time to write or create without stopping for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20 minutes. Just do it. Don’t stop. Get those ideas on paper. Make a list. Start a dialogue. Work for without stop for your chosen time. Set your timer. Create. When the timer goes off, stop work. Then load the laundry. Go to the grocery. Hit the gym. Walk to work. Do whatever it is you need to do. After you’ve done chores, made dinner, put the kids to bed, answered your emails, THEN take a moment to review what you wrote earlier. Read it. Allow yourself to reenter the piece and make some edits. Clarify it. Rework it. It slowly begins to make sense.
During the day, while you were out doing other things, your brain continued working subliminally. You unleashed the urge, pushed something out, and walked away. But your brain kept the fire going. And when you gave it a little space, you came back clearer. You’ve made a new connection. Take a few moments and reflect on what you created. Respect it. Then close down for the day. You’ve done your work, one step at a time. Every journey begins with a step.
Melissa Bell’s work has been featured in the New York Times for Farm Arts Collective; LADY CAPULET was nominated for Best Adaptation & Modernization 2020 & 2021 by New York Shakespeare and as a Finalist for Henley Rose Playwright Competition; and COURAGE was awarded Honored Finalist for the Collaboration Award by the Women in Arts & Media Coalition. ZOE COMES HOME is available to view on the CreateTheater YouTube channel.