I don't know exactly how it happened, but I've been asked to write a play. I tried to explain to the woman who asked me to do this that I had absolutely no idea how to go about about writing a play.
"There is a special skill for this, Kate," I said nervously. "I'd have to use a format I've never even seen. I really think you ought to find someone else."
"But you are the one with the idea. It's going to be amazing and awesome! I think you'd even be nominated for a Pullitzer!"
Pullitzer? Did she say Pullitzer?
You know when you're young and idealistic, full of hopes and dreams? My dream was to be a famous writer and earn a Pullitzer for my poignant writing that would change the world.
"No, Kate," I replied firmly. "It's too hard for an old lady like me to do. You know that old saying: you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I'm feeling mighty old, right now."
Kate laughed. "Oh you silly bee! Of course you can do it. It's easier than writing all of those short stories and novels you do."
Well, two pots of tea and three scones later, my friend convinced me to write a play. I spent the entire afternoon putting the first scene on paper and felt brave enough to show it to my daughter, Miriam, the actress.
She fell on the floor laughing.
I didn't know that indentations were a no-no, that instructions for the actors had to be in italics and surrounded by square brackets, that each character's name had to be in bold print. etc. etc. etc.
It only took my daughter an hour to correct my formatting. We were both grateful that I had only managed to write ten pages double-spaced. But the key thing was that we both laughed a lot while she taught me. It was a blast, actually.
But she did give me a compliment...
"You know, Mom, this is actually really good. It's creepy. You should finish it."
Creepy? Did she say creepy?! Does creepy get you a Pullitzer?