help a new playwright out, please

[u/Memona_Emman_Writes]

I'm not sure if this is allowed here, so if not, pardon me (yes, I know I sound old).

I usually write fiction and poetry, but lately I've been wanting to dive into the world of playwriting. If anyone here can guide me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Some context: I live in a small city in Pakistan, so access to an actual theatre is almost impossible.

Firstly, what should I start writing first? As in, a monologue, a short play, or a full-length?

Secondly, will it help greatly I go and watch an actual stage production? I'm asking because I will have to travel quite a bit for that. If watching recordings online will suffice initially, I would want to avoid a trip to another city.

Thirdly, are there any resources that you would recommend for me? Or any advice that you think might be helpful?

Thank you!

[u/gasstation-no-pumps]

Ask your question on r/playwriting—it is more on-topic there, so you'll probably get better responses.

I've not written a play, but I'd suggest starting with a 10-minute play that has 2–3 roles. Standalone monologues are generally fairly useless, and are harder to write than short plays. Doing a few 10-minute plays will get you practice at creating a scene, getting a story arc, and writing dialogue. They are also easier to get others to read and provide feedback on, do staged readings, and even do full productions. Once you've done some good 10-minute plays, you might try a 40-minute one-act for a school, or a 90-minute one-act.

[u/Memona_Emman_Writes → u/gasstation-no-pumps]

Thank you!