Today was a designated writing day. I’ve been very busy lately readying a new devised theatre show which opens next weekend that I haven’t had much time to write. My latest novel has been on my mind, as usual, and I’ve been eager to get back to it. I’m in part III and things are quickly coming together. It’s all quite exciting.

Except a crack distracted me. I was leaving the supermarket in the morning and as I walked to my truck, I noticed a normal crack in the pavement, the kind every pavement in the world gets at one time or another. Not an extraordinary crack. Not a large crack. Not even a crack anyone would notice whether walking or driving. But the crack in the pavement grabbed my attention. It was one of those lovely creative moments which spring up at the most unusual times. Crack in the pavement. It was a name of a play. What was it about?

I arrived at home and opened the laptop. A supermarket employee who notices the crack in the pavement and becomes worried about it. He tells his boss. Then the most ridiculous stuff happens. My brain was on it. Within forty minutes I had put together 2/3’s of the play – one of those delightful and brisk ten minute plays which I love so much.

This evening, after another thirty minutes of writing and revising, I finished the first draft of The Crack in the Pavement. It’s a delightfully funny comedy with some wonderful satirical overtones which can be taken in more than one way.

It felt good to be back to play-writing after such a long hiatus. The novel can wait. Anything can wait when the creative urge arises. It’s a great feeling. All it needed was a crack that turned into a creative canyon. Now, let’s get it produced.

And speaking of productions …

I’ve had a blast working with 5 college students over the past three weeks to produce this show. There are three performances next weekend at the Scharmann Theatre in Jamestown, NY. This devised theatre piece is based on the artwork of David Schnuckel, and I’m thrilled that David will be joining us for the final performance next Saturday night. I’ve asked him to also join the tall back after the show. It’s going to be fabulous!

If you are in the neighborhood, please check it out. See you there.