Mark Ravenhill’s 101 Tips for Playwriting: Essential Advice from a Master of the Craft

If you're a budding playwright or a seasoned writer looking to sharpen your storytelling edge, you need to read Mark Ravenhill’s 101 Tips for Playwriting. This treasure trove of concise, punchy insights from one of the UK’s most provocative and influential dramatists offers a masterclass in the art and discipline of writing for the stage.

Mark Ravenhill

Who Is Mark Ravenhill?

Mark Ravenhill is a celebrated British playwright, director, and journalist known for his bold, confrontational plays that challenge social norms and delve into politics, identity, and human behaviour. He burst onto the scene with the groundbreaking Shopping and F**ing* in 1996. Since then, Ravenhill has written numerous acclaimed works including:

• Mother Clap’s Molly House

• The Cut

• Citizenship

• Product

• Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat

Ravenhill has also worked as the Literary Manager of the Royal Court Theatre and was Associate Director of the Little Angel Theatre. This experience gives him unique insights into what makes a play work—not just on the page, but on the stage.

What Makes Mark Ravenhill’s 101 Tips for Playwriting Great?

These 101 tips are bite-sized, practical, and surprisingly profound. They're perfect for pinning above your writing desk or flipping through before a writing session. Some will make you laugh. Others will challenge your assumptions. But all of them will make you a sharper, more thoughtful writer.

Unlike long essays or academic advice, Mark Ravenhill’s 101 Tips for Playwriting cut straight to the point. I use them regularly when redrafting projects; they are especially useful at making your writing efficient - every word carries significant weight.

Sample Tips from Ravenhill’s List

Here are just a few gems from his list:

• "There’s nothing wrong with a good story well told."– A reminder not to overcomplicate things in pursuit of originality. Audiences crave clarity and emotional connection.

• "If your character gets on a plane, think carefully."– A nod to practical staging and the visual limitations of theatre—every choice has consequences.

• "Conflict is not always about shouting."– A subtle cue to explore the tension beneath the surface and the power of silence.

• "Playwriting is architecture."– Structure matters. You’re not just writing words, you’re building a space for actors, directors, and audiences to inhabit.

• "Cut the first page."– A classic piece of writing advice. Start later, and start stronger.

Each tip invites reflection. Many are deceptively simple but pack a serious punch when you apply them to your own drafts.

Where to Read All of Mark Ravenhill’s 101 Tips for Playwriting

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Whether you're working on your first monologue or revising your tenth full-length script, these tips are a goldmine. Ravenhill reminds us that playwriting is both craft and instinct—and that the best theatre comes from curiosity, courage, and ruthless editing.