How to Write a Play in a Word Processor

A play, or stage play, is the format in which stories are written for the stage. Like a screenplay, the stage play has specific formatting elements that need to be applied. Setting up these formatting elements in a word processor can be confusing and time consuming. Fortunately, there are options available that will make it easier for you to use your word processor to write plays.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose a stageplay template for your word processor. For Word, there's Playwright. The Playwright template isn't free, but there is a one-month full-featured trial available. Screenwright is a free play template for OpenOffice, available from the OpenOffice website. Both of these templates will format stage plays automatically in your word processor as you write.

2. Download and install a play template in your word processor. On the "File" menu, select "New" and choose your play template. In Playwright, a dialogue box appears. Enter the name of your play, a byline, your name and your contact information. This sets up your title page. Press "OK," and you're ready to start writing.

3. Write your play as you would write anything else in a word processor. Don't worry about the formatting. Hit the "TAB" and "ENTER" keys to move to the next logical element of your play. Those same keys will allow you to cycle through the other elements. You can manually change an element by selecting the text you want to change and going to the "Playwright" add-in menu.

References

• Playwright Stageplay Template for Word
• Screenwright Stageplay Template for OpenOffice
• Playwright Users Guide

Resources

• How to Format a Stageplay