What Writers Can Learn From Stanislavski's Acting System

Master Fiction Writing

I worked in the theatre from ages five to 32, and during that time I learned a lot. Like... a lot.

In the main, I acted, but I also directed, designed and made costumes, worked backstage, and once designed a set that was completely made of sails. And I sewed those sails. Yes, me, and all on my own.

So, working in the theatre, mainly as an actor, I had to learn how to inhabit a character, and I brought all of that to my creative writing practice - and more.

You might have heard the name Konstantin Stanislavski. Stanislavski was a Russian theatre practitioner who developed a system many actors follow to train, prepare, and rehearse. I studied Stanislavski's methods, and here's what I think writers should take from his system.

If you'd rather read, here's the accompanying blog post.