If you are writing to please anyone but yourself, the play will lack meaning and depth. Garrison also wants the writer to know that there are ways to promote one's self with charm and grace and he tries to encourage people to use good taste when doing so.
Part Two of Garrison's book discusses some of the more business aspects of being a playwright. He talks about staged readings, getting an agent, as well the fundamentals of dramatic structure. Other aspects covered in Part Two are submitting one's plays to festivals, agents, writing a resume, and writing a synopsis of the play.
Part Three of the book includes some words on etiquette and the importance in one's career. There is also a letter that is written to people close to the writer asking for their support in their career.
The book as a whole is a sort of Bible for aspiring...
It serves two major functions: it teaches one how to keep that passion for writing as well as how to maneuver one's self in the business world of being a playwright. It covers topics that many writers avoid thinking or talking about because of how intimidating they are. But knowing the business of playwriting is as essential as being able to write plays. This book isn't telling you how to write a play (even though it does give quite a bit of advice about what goes into the writing process and where to go to get material), but it's telling you how you can balance the life of being a playwright with the business of being a playwright.
The book is fun read as Garrison fills the book with hilarious insight into his own experiences as a writer. The book isn't your typical instructional book; in fact, it reads more like a great story.
