Writing the ten minute play

10 TIPS on Writing your First Ten-Minute Play

1 Ask a Question

What do you want to prove with this story? What is the point? Make sure every detail answers this question. If it doesn’t, cut it out.

2 Get Right into it!

Don’t waste any time introducing the character and their world. Your reader will follow along and figure it out as the story develops.

3 Everything Must Matter

Do not talk about a man walking in front of your character on the street if it isn’t going to be directly related to your plot at some point. You can always show the reader (or viewer) the man walking, but only if it will advance the plot in some way.

4 No Fluff

You have ten minutes, so get rid of the fluffy junk that isn’t required. Remember if it doesn’t answer your question, cut it.

5 Don’t forget the Verbs

Do you remember those commercials about verbs? “Verb: it’s what you do.” The action is essential to any good play. You don’t have to just talk. Dialogue is important, but I see a lot of new playwrights who start writing and forget that the characters have to actually do something also.

6 Point of No Return

Don’t forget the point of no return. There is a decision or action your character will make that means they can no longer go back into their original world. This tells your audience that we are about to know what happens. We are about the “solve” (or not) the “big event.”

7 Take Risks!

This is your play! Take a risk, a chance, and get creative. It is okay to fail, but it is not okay to not try.

8 Remember to check your time

10 minutes is 10 minutes. When you write your first draft read it out loud and time yourself. If you don’t finish in 10 minutes, cut something.

9 Don’t write a three-act play

You might have a BIG idea that will never fit in 10 minutes. If that is the case, write a three-act play! If you want to write a ten-minute play, then try and save your big idea for a big play!

10 Write the First Draft in one sitting

Seriously, it can be too long or too short, but try to write an entire first draft in one sitting. This will get all the ideas out on the page. First drafts are allowed to be horrible, just write it out. Spend more time editing and rewriting. This is a tactic I personally use that works for me.

Bonus Tip: Don’t listen to any ones “tips.”

I love that. Do not get constrained by the rules of the game. They can be limiting and cause you to quit altogether. Take everyone’s advice, use what you can, and throw out the rest. This is your writing journey, not anyone’s else’s.

GET WRITING!!! Don’t forget to check out these reads:


For more ideas:

https://www.creative-writing-now.com/short-story-ideas.html