Prou/Del Questions With Jacqueline Bircher

Monday, June 24th Join us for Our 5th Annual Staged Reading   
Jacqueline Bircher's The Rule of Thirds . 6:30 pm, The Tank

Until then, enjoy our new Prou/Del  (A mixture of our Bechdel Questions and the Proust Questionnaire) from our spotlight playwright Jacqueline Bircher!


1) What comes easily and what challenges do you face in the writing process?
I have always had an ear for dialogue, so the rhythm of language and conversion has always come fairly easily to me. The blank page, however, is always a challenge. I get such page fright, and going from nothing to something can seem like such an insurmountable task, every single time. 
2) What are your two most favorite writing tools?
The first is probably post-its. When I outline, I always use different colored post-its to create a story map. It helps me to visualize the arc of the plot, and identify how characters might interact and grow over time. My other favorite writing tool is probably my writers group. We are a small but mighty crew that has been meeting regularly for over 3 years. Their kindness, intelligence, honesty, and generosity has made my writing one thousand times better. 
3) As a writer, what is your process?  (Are you more of a worker bee or do you feel the muse? Do you usually outline or free flow?)
I usually sit on ideas for plays for a long time before I begin to write them. Once I decide which one I'm about to tackle, I generally already have a strong idea of what I want the story to be about. So, I'll outline first, then use that outline as a road map for a first draft. After I have a first draft, that's when the real fun begins. I love to rewrite, and I can pull scenes apart and put them back together all day long. 
4) What is your motto or main goal as a writer/artist?
Create work that has a brain, a heart, and courage. 
5) What talent or super power would you most like to have?
Teleportation. 
6) Favorite words of advice or quote you drift back to?
The first draft will always be bad. Sometimes the second and third drafts will be bad, too! Bad is just part of the process. 
7)Feminist writing--what do you look or aim for in this genre?
Complex, layered female characters who are messy, flawed, and fiercely individual. 
8) What would your mother tell her friends about your writing career?
Anything and everything. My mom is my #1 hype woman. 
9) What can we look forward to hearing next from/about you?
In August, I have a short play called Webster's Bitch in the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival, and in September I'll be developing my full-length play The Once and Future Casey Colman with Campfire Theatre Festival in Boise, Idaho. 

Get your tickets here