More on first drafts
Tips, tricks, inspiration, and encouragement for storytellers of all stripes
Greetings from Ann Arbor, Michigan—
A couple weeks ago I mentioned the joy and terror of writing the first draft and quoted Jordan Peele, who compares writing first drafts to shoveling sand into a sandbox. The castles come later.
I thought a few more of my favorites might be a nice tide-y’all-over till I’m back in Florida and able to get back cranking on full-fledged tips.
Christina Dodd with the practical take: You can always fix crap. You can’t fix a blank page.
Michael Lee with the inspirational take: The first draft reveals the art; revision reveals the artist.
And Papa Hemingway with the pull-no-punches take: The first draft of anything is shit.
Whatever you’re working on… get that first draft OUT!!
Quick update on the Hyde Park Pack Michigan Adventure ™.
Today we’ll be zipping down the thumb and over into Wolverine territory.
My beloved Rebecca and her sister Emily have absolutely rocked the first week of summer rec, a camp full of soccer and archery and swimming and crafts and and and.
I swing by for five minutes to drop off their lunches, and the energy of 40 campers is…
What’s another word for HOLY CRAP?
Understand, I don’t mean this kind of camper…
I mean THIS kind of camper…
Bless Rebecca and Emily. Bless them.
Book launch!
Next week, on Wednesday August 13, the ebook/paperback/audiobook of 100 PLAYS VOLUME 1 will drop! I will send a special bonus email with direct links and a “because you’re an awesome Page&Stage reader” treat.
I have taken the transcripts of the first 10 episodes of my podcast mega-series, given them a tidy little edit, and compiled them into the various book forms so you can have all my tales and insights, such as they are, easily grabbable/re-readable/re-listenable.
Check it out—
The ebook and audiobook will be available over at my online bookstore, the paperback will be print-on-demand at Amazon, and the audiobook will also be available pretty much anywhere you get audiobooks.
In case you missed the blurb last week…
From backstage blunders to standing ovations, 100 PLAYS is part memoir, part love letter to the theatre, and part inspirational handbook.
Actor, director, and playwright Jason Cannon draws on nearly three decades in the professional theatre to share true stories from real productions—and the lessons they taught him about craft, connection, and courage.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious audience member, welcome to this journey through 100 PLAYS—and all the lessons they carry.
Volume 1 contains Plays 1-10:
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
No Exit
Snow White
A Clockwork Orange
Touch
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Doubt: A Parable
Henry IV Part 1
The Great Adventures of Spencer
Million Dollar Quartet
Page&Stage Podcast: The Story Broker
My conversation with the one and only Steve Hoffman will land in your inboxes first thing Monday.
Steve Hoffman joins me to discuss his journey from inspired audience member to influential story broker at the Norton Center for the Arts. We explore the power of storytelling to heal, build community, and spark connection. Steve shares how he curates seasons, fosters collaboration, and makes the arts more relevant and accessible. From community engagement to the impact of productions like Last Out, this episode is a tribute to the transformative role of the arts in our lives.
You can listen on the Substack App, and all episodes are also available on Apple or Spotify.
And if you want to put faces with voices, the video version will be available over on YouTube.
Quick reminder that you are welcome to comment on this newsletter. I do my absolute best to respond to every comment, so if something I’ve offered above tickles that question/comment/complaint nerve in your reader-brain, I’d love to hear about it.
And if there’s a storytelling topic or issue you’d like me to address—writing, acting, directing, speaking, whatever—email me directly at jason@jasoncannon.art. If I don’t have a ready answer, I’ll make it my mission to go find one.
Thanks as always for reading, and have a great weekend—
Jason “Lunch Dropper-Offer” Cannon