Lajos Egri Quotes

Hungary, Playwright
June 4, 1888 – February, 7, 1967.

Lajos N. Egri (June 4, 1888 – February 7, 1967) was the author of The Art of Dramatic Writing, which is widely regarded as one of the best works on the subject of playwriting, though its teachings have since been adapted for the writing of short stories, novels, and screenplays. He is also the author of the companion textbook, The Art of Creative Writing, which further expounds on similar subjects.

Also known as Writer

Everything has a purpose or premise. Every second of our life has its own premise, whether or not we are conscious of it at the time. That premise may be as simple as breathing or as complex as a vital emotional decision, but it is always there.

Lajos Egri
- Life
- Time
- May
Immortality. We all want to be remembered: We want to do things that will make people say, 'Isn't he wonderful?'

Lajos Egri
- People
- Want
- Remembered

No two dramatists think or write alike. Ten thousand playwrights can take the same premise, as they have done since Shakespeare, and not one play will resemble the other except in the premise. Your knowledge, your understanding of human nature, and your imagination will take care of that.

Lajos Egri
- Done
- Nature
- Knowledge
No, you don't have to start your play with a premise. You can start with a character or an incident, or even a simple thought. This thought or incident grows, and the story slowly unfolds itself. You have time to find your premise in the mass of your material later. The important thing is to find it.

Lajos Egri
- Time
- Important
- Character
Although you should never mention your premise in the dialogue of your play, the audience must know what the message is. And whatever it is, you must prove it.

Lajos Egri
- Know
- Never
- Audience