From "story" and "tension" right down to how to get a character from one side of the stage to the other, Hatcher, an award-winning playwright, conveys his expertise and love of the theater in an intelligent, engaging style.-- fourteen essential elements found in every good play, with examples from historical and contemporary theater-- a step-by-step walk through the classic play Hedda Gabler, showing good playwriting elements in action-- interviews with playwrights Marsha Norman, Jose Rivera and Lee Blessing offer practical advice and personal insight on distinct approaches to the craft-- a wide range of exercises increase the readers' mastery of the elements of playwriting