Writing for solo performance

Here's a list of tips to guiide the writer/performer to creating a successful solo piece:

1. If you want to convey an idea, it is usually more effective to asking questions as a character to arrive at that idea instead of just stating it. This will engage the audience and allow them to explore and journey with the character, which leads to a more active situation with the audience.

2. Keep the imagery strong in your prose but don't fall into the trap of excessive use of adjectives.

3. Get the piece on it's feet as soon as possible. Even if the text is not finished, improvising situations through acting rather than writing may lead you to discover hidden gems in your piece, or at the very least keep you active, and therefore the piece active.

4. Don't forget the conflict. Conflict makes drama possible. Solo pieces very easily can turn into speeches that has the performer talking to the audience instead of connecting to them.

5. Explore physical actions. Sometimes a specific physical actions can convey more than mere words can.