Glenn Alterman’s experience in the theater includes writing award-winning plays and bestselling theater books as well as success as an acting coach. His passion for playwriting grew out of necessity: as an actor, he needed fresh monologues to perform at auditions. His monologues caught the attention of other actors, who were soon offering to pay him to write their monologues.

With his latest book, Writing the 10-Minute Play, Alterman focuses on a specific type of production that boasts a growing popularity. A 10-minute play is just that--ten minutes of theater with a story that most often fulfills the traditional three-act story structure.

As presented by Alterman, the 10-minute play can be anything from a simple exercise in creative writing to potential fuel for a longer script or more. Many theatre writers develop a deep passion for the form and the commitment to excellent storytelling within the confines.

Given that this is a writing advice book, Alterman falls into similar traps in which most writing books land. It’s a creative pursuit and doesn’t always make for a one-size-fits-all explanation. But with his focus on such a specific writing pursuit, he avoids many generalities and in the end provides the two elements of all good writing books--sound advice, and the kick in the pants intended to get the reader excited about the writing possibilities.

One section of the book features interviews with other playwrights. If anything, the varied experiences portray just how different the writing experience is for each writer. In the end, Alterman’s advice is to simply have fun with the process. Tell stories. Explore characters. Enjoy the journey of creation.