Lajos Egri
Lajos Egri
Lajos N. Egriwas the author of The Art of Dramatic Writing, which is widely regarded as one of the best works on the subject of playwriting, though its teachings have since been adapted for the writing of short stories, novels, and screenplays. He is also the author of the companion textbook. The Art of Creative Writing, which further expounds on similar subjects...
NationalityHungarian
ProfessionAuthor
Date of Birth4 June 1888
except human imagination knowledge nature resemble since ten thousand understanding
No two dramatists think or write alike. Ten thousand playwrights can take the same premise, as they have done since Shakespeare, and not one play will resemble the other except in the premise. Your knowledge, your understanding of human nature, and your imagination will take care of that.
incident mass material premise slowly start time unfolds
No, you don't have to start your play with a premise. You can start with a character or an incident, or even a simple thought. This thought or incident grows, and the story slowly unfolds itself. You have time to find your premise in the mass of your material later. The important thing is to find it.
breathing complex conscious emotional life premise purpose second time vital whether
Everything has a purpose or premise. Every second of our life has its own premise, whether or not we are conscious of it at the time. That premise may be as simple as breathing or as complex as a vital emotional decision, but it is always there.
although mention message premise whatever
Although you should never mention your premise in the dialogue of your play, the audience must know what the message is. And whatever it is, you must prove it.
people
Immortality. We all want to be remembered: We want to do things that will make people say, 'Isn't he wonderful?'