The Playwright’s Survival Guide is written for both aspiring and established writers looking for an emotional, spiritual, or just plain practical connection back to what’s important—the writing. It’s a "how-to-be" book—with thoughts, stories of inspiration, a few tricks of the trade, a few outlets for venting frustrations, and a reassuring voice that speaks to all the doubts with an "I know. I’ve been there. This is what you do . . ." Gary Garrison demystifies the playwriting process, speaking honestly, poignantly, and with humor about the lessons he’s learned along the way. He explores the issues playwrights face every day, including:

• inspiration
• criticism
• self-doubt
• relationships with teachers and mentors
• the art of self-promotion
• writer’s block
• staying healthy in the art after your fingers are off the keyboard.

Contents:
PART 1
FOR YOUR HEART
 You're the Play
 Skippy, Jake, and the Spitfire Within
 Thump It Before You Buy It
 Sing Out, Louise!
FOR YOUR SOUL
 Spandex, My Bicep, and Writer's Block
 The Ties That Bind Us: Mother, Mentor, Father, Teacher
 I've Been to the Dark Side (And Now I Want the Light)
 Tina Turner, Lanford Wilson, and Me
 Flush It (An Internal Monologue)

PART 2
FOR YOUR HEAD
 Who Are All These People and What Are They Doing to My Play?
 Who Needs an Agent!?
 New York Hits Back
 Instruction or Destruction?
 Submitting Your Plays: The Most Necessary Evil
 What You Need Is a Good F**k
 T-Minus-Ten and Counting
 Do We Have to Say This?
JUST...FOR GOOD MEASURE
 Just Read It, Will You?
 Just Show Me How to Do It
 Just Give Me the Facts
 Just...Think on It
 Just...Passing It On

PART 3
FOR YO' MAMA
 Behave!
 Slap Yourself
 An Open Letter to Those Who Love and Support Us

After Words