Below is a primitive example of how my writing evolves. I’m a great believer in letting lines be worked over a long period of time, eroded by the forces of ever varying consciousness, nervousness, and a kind of soaking or tasting. Eventually, one stops tweeking (a lot), and things are sort of done. Zak, an apprentice in the Concord Theatre Company has a closing line at the end of Act I, Scene 1. In the first draft, he had no line at all. At the end of the scene in:
July 2010, Draft 2, the line appears for the first time:
ZAK
Hocus Pocus
It is only we shadows, blinded by the illusion of our own existence, that, without leaving a trace, come and go.
Early September 2010 –two months later:
ZAK
Halloweeny
It is but we shadows that, blinded by the illusion of our own existence, entangled in the conflicts of our convoluted egocentricities, having come with marshal and festive noise, blood and clench-ed oath, now trailing but ghostly echoes of laughter and tears, forever in silence, go.
October 2010—two months later:
ZAK
Be not afraid! It is but we shadows, enchanted by the illusion of our own existence, entangled in the conflicts of our convoluted and blinding egocentricities, having come with marshal and festive noise, blood and clench-ed oath, trailing but echoes of laughter and tears, that now forever in silence, go.
December 2010—two months later, the character, Zak, now called Tony:
Tony
Halloweeny
OOOoooo… The eternal stage!
Mo
Stop it, Tony!
Tony
Be not afraid! It is but we shadows, enchanted by the illusion of our own existence, entangled in our convoluted and blinding egocentricities, having come with marshal and festive noise, bloody and prayerful oath, trailing but echoes of laughter and tears, that now forever in silence, go.
All exit carrying various stuff.
MO
Word up.
February 9, 2011 Two months later, after the January public reading, when everything is getting hammered down. It is now Act I, Scene 2.
TONY
Halloweeny, inspired by the magic of a 4 by 8 platform and trying to impress Catherine.
OOOoooo… The eternal stage! Be not afraid! It is but we shadows, enchanted by the illusion of our own existence, having come with marshal and festive noise, trailing but echoes of laughter and tears, that now forever in silence…go.
All exit carrying various stuff.
MO
Word up!
