Lindsey Clouse on playwriting

Jayme: Can you tell me how long you've been involved with the Broken Lemons?

Lindsey: Since the founding.

Jayme: When was that?

Lindsey: 2019? 2018? 2018 or 2019…

Jayme: Do you know how it came about?

Lindsey: How I found out about it was, I think there was a Facebook post or something of that nature saying, “hey, if you're interested in playwriting, and you want to join this writing group, just show up!” And I did, and that was it.
Jayme: What is your history with playwriting?

Lindsey: I had no history of playwriting before this. I have a long history of writing, and I teach writing, but not creative writing. I teach writing at Black Hills State and Western Dakota Tech, but I was interested in learning more about playwriting and trying it out. I'm always interested in learning more about any kind of writing. So, I came to the meeting and I've written a couple things since then, and it's been really awesome and really fun.

Jayme: Does what you teach ever trickle into your playwriting?

Lindsey: Yeah, I think all writing is creative. Even workplace writing or composition, which is what I teach, still has a creative nature to it, and I think there are writing skills that translate across any type of writing, like learning what your own weaknesses are, learning how to revise. Revision is so, so crucial no matter what kind of writing you're doing. So, yeah, there's some things that translate for sure.

Jayme: What is your playwriting process?

Lindsey: Oh, God. I guess it's similar to my writing process in general, which is to constantly remind myself that the first draft doesn't have to be good. That's what revision is for, and take advantage of feedback from the wonderful people here (the Broken Lemons) and wherever else I can get it from. Don't try to make the first draft good.

Jayme: What is your Broken Lemons show about?

Lindsey: It is about sports fans, and fans in general, who are sort of stuck in limbo between life and death.

Jayme: Have you ever seen your work performed?

Lindsey: Yeah, the last 24 Hour Plays, I got to see one of mine done, and it was awesome. It was so fun. It was delightful because it was better on the stage than it was in my head, because the actors were so good, and they sold it so well, and in my head it's mediocre, but the actors made it great.

Jayme: Is there anything else you want to share about playwriting, or the Broken Lemons, or about the performance coming up?

Lindsey: I would share that anybody who has ever thought about doing any kind of writing, creative writing, even non-fiction writing should definitely try it, and should find a writing group to be part of, because getting feedback from other people is one of the most effective ways to improve.
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Jayme: Awesome. You have certainly inspired me to start writing, Lindsey! Thank you!