Writing from Shock: Writing During a Pandemic

Playwright Crystal Skillman presented Writing from Shock: Writing During a Pandemic livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 22 April 2020 at 12 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-7) / 2 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 3 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

This Earth Day join a free livestreamed writing session led by Award-Winning Playwright Crystal Skillman, author of the plays Open, Rain and Zoe Save the World, and the bookwriter of Mary and Max the musical.

“Writing From Shock” shares writing techniques recently created by Skillman during this Pandemic to be able to write, meet deadlines, and stay creative. These techniques concentrate on accepting reality, letting go of reality, and then using those feelings (or letting go of them completely) to immerse yourself in fiction. Using prompts and writing exercises, and by taking inspiration from the natural world, and the unique mind of each writer, authors will engage with the story they are most interested in writing during this time, discovering new ideas along the way.

Writing will be lead for 40 minutes, then there will be a 15 minute Q & A where Crystal will answer questions by email. All questions welcome! From how to get through writers block, to letting go of one’s fears, setting new deadlines in a new world, balancing art and activism, or new ways to find hope, we’ll discuss what it means to be an artist of the dramatic arts in a time where the very format of how our work is shared is shifting. How can we create in isolation, but through virtual connection continue to “drive our own process”?

In the last 5 minutes, the class will prepare you to re-enter reality but you will do so with the prize you now hold in your hands - a new piece of writing, and a renewed sense of self.

About HowlRound TV

HowlRound TV is a global, commons-based peer produced, open access livestreaming and video archive project stewarded by the nonprofit HowlRound. HowlRound TV is a free and shared resource for live conversations and performances relevant to the world's performing arts and cultural fields. Its mission is to break geographic isolation, promote resource sharing, and to develop our knowledge commons collectively. Participate in a community of peer organizations revolutionizing the flow of information, knowledge, and access in our field by becoming a producer and co-producing with us. Learn more by going to our participate page. For any other queries, email [email protected], or call Vijay Mathew at +1 917.686.3185 Signal/WhatsApp. View the video archive of past events.