Archive for March, 2011

Rodney Robbins Sings Off Key

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 | Permalink

Playwright Rodney Robbins sings like a love sick coyote.Hello, Rodney Robbins here, your favorite play writing blogger. Last night, I got out my custom made Carvin guitar out and played some of the songs from my new musical “Big Feet, Big Love.” Seldom has a song writer sung his own words so badly. Imagine a howling, love sick coyote with cactus thorns in his foot, and that’s about how I sounded.

No, my voice isn’t completely gone, but I have been struggling with what is called an “Abortive Attack” of Periodic Paralysis and it has affected my breathing and my singing. Anyway, I’m starting to get my voice back. For a long while, I couldn’t even hold up my end of a conversation.

For those of you who don’t sing well, let me just say, give it time. Your voice will get stronger. Mine has been bad before, and I’m pretty sure it will bounce back this time too. My plan is to gently, very gently, sing a bit more whenever the mood hits me. No rush. I’m not a professional singer. I don’t have a show coming up. All I need to do is give myself time and not get discouraged. I think if I just keep after it a little at a time, my voice will get stronger, the notes truer and the tone clearer.

Remember, when you sing, make it a point to always have a howling good time.

Good Writing Makes TV Affordable

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 | Permalink

Here is an el cheepo Coke versus Coke Zero TV ad. All you need to shoot a commercial like this is a couple of good actors (I know you know some of them), a $150 video camera (you, or someone you know, probably already has a good enough camera to shoot this commercial) and a clever script. I can help you with the script, and as a playwright, I give producers pretty wide leeway in creating TV spots. So, turn on your speakers and see what a little creativity can do to promote your next play, or mine.

 

Creating Sympathetic Characters

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 | Permalink

Creating sympathetic characters is an important skill for writers. As a playwright or novelist, you’re inviting people to spend time with someone you’ve dreamed up. Readers and viewers like to spend time with people they like (or love to hate). So, how do you create likable characters that people want to read about?

You show your hero doing something nice right off the bat.

Here is a poem from my upcoming kids cartoon poetry book that explains what I’m driving at.

Sympathetic Characters

by Rodney Robbins

Save a kitten from a fate worse than death.
Give directions to a lost boy named Seth.
Rob a bank without firing a shot–
give the money to those who have not.

Help a blind man cross the street.
Help a bass player find her beat.
Be kind to your mother on the day that’s all hers.
Give an old lady back her purse.

Make life harder for someone who’s mean.
Buy a big lunch for the orphan’s of Breen.
Stub your toe without making a fuss.
Take your trash with you when you exit the bus.

It’s the little things we remember most,
when reading a story and eating toast.
What makes a hero from an ordinary man?
He has time for the little things and a grandiose plan.

Switch to our mobile site