I think if you're writing a play, it should be its own end game; you'll never get to do a good one unless you know it's not a blueprint for a film; you're not going to get the action right and the story right.
Martin McdonaghRead
Though it may not seem like it, I never try to write about a place, per se; it's always, first and last, about story. Story is everything. Story and a bit of attitude.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of writing is about storytelling, not just the setting or location.
In this quote, Martin McDonagh emphasizes that the heart of writing is the narrative itself rather than the physical environment surrounding it. He suggests that storytelling is the core element that brings depth and engagement to any piece of writing, and attitude adds a unique flavor to the narrative.
Themes
StorytellingWritingNarrativeArtAttitude
In practice
Example use cases
During a writing workshop, I shared, 'Though it may not seem like it, I never try to write about a place, per se; it's always, first and last, about story.' to illustrate the importance of narrative.
More from Martin Mcdonagh
All quotes →I guess I've accepted that theatre is never going to be edgy in the way I want it to be. It's too expensive for a start. And, the audience seems to be complicit in the dullness.
Martin McdonaghRead
There have to be moments when you glimpse something decent, something life-affirming even in the most twisted character. That's where the real art lies. See, I always suspect characters who are painted as lovely, decent human beings. I would always question where the darkness lies.
Martin McdonaghRead
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