How competitive is playwrighting?

Question

Is it as competitive as the literary/novel market?

Answer 1

Yes it is. You have to write a pretty good play to actually have it performed. And if you are thinking of a career in playwriting then you have to always come up with original plays and on time. You will also have many competitors, just like the literary/novel market.

Answer 2

It depends upon your view. If you are hoping to make a living writing plays then it is extremely competitive. If you simply want the thrill of a darkened theatre and the anticipation of the audience as the lights come up on your creation -- then not so much.

I have been writing plays since I was eight years old -- off and on and more off than on but still -- I live in a thriving local theatre market/resort area and have never had trouble having my plays produced locally and regionally.

On the other hand I work for a year at a time on a 100-120 page play while I work about six months on a 300-400 page novel.

I have never made any real money from either pursuit -- as is true of most novelists and playwrights -- but still write for a living as an arts reporter and commercial writer. So it`s all good.

Answer 3

Arguably it is more competitive because producing a play at a professional level requires a greater dollar investment than printing and distributing copies of a novel.