Always err on the side of brevity. A piece that’s 700 words has a much better chance than one that’s 1200.
I recoil in horror at stories that are one long block of text. Try to use paragraphs.
Pro-tip: adjectives and adverbs should be used in moderation. Resist the temptation to dazzle us with purple prose and your access to a thesaurus.
Typically it’s better to keep the plot moving rather than fixate on the second by second minutiae of a scene.
Avoid a “bathtub story”, one rooted to a single location where a character doesn’t actually do anything but contemplates a deep philosophical issue or event in the past. The classic example is a man who sits in the bathtub thinking about his marriage. You’d be shocked how often these come up.
Remember this will be read aloud at the show, so read it aloud and think:
Does each line sound natural?
Are some of the phrases difficult or awkward to say?
Would it be easier to read if I cut out some of these redundant and/or unnecessary lines?
What can I do to make this flow better? Combine sentences? Split up sentences?
We LOVE funny stories! But if the story is too jokey or premised on a joke, then that could be an issue - it’s hard to do improv inspired by one note jokes.
Be sure to double check the grammar and spelling. Even a minor error might trip you up if you end up reading it in the show.
We’re not sticklers for formatting but my personal preference is double spaced, 12 pt. type, at least one inch margins, and name and contact information at the top of the first page. You’re also welcome to include a brief biographical note.
Surprise us! Don’t be afraid to be goofy, weird, or surreal!
