Reflections of a Unique Writer by Anthony J. Piccione

This Play is the copyright of the Author and must not be Performed without the Author's prior consent

A small room. There are two desks on each side of the stage. One side has two
chairs. The other side has one chair and a laptop

The play begins with ANTHONY sitting at the desk that has the laptop

ANTHONY
Now how should I start this essay? I always have known that I should
start with a strong opening sentence and a good thesis statement. That always helped on other
writing assignments. It's pretty cool that my first English assignment is asking me to write
about the way I write, but I didn't think that it was gonna be this tough to start working on. I
mean, having a disability like Asperger's Syndrome really makes can make certain assignments harder
for me as it is. But usually I didn't need help with these kinds of assignments. If I am writing about myself,
I always did much better because I always knew what I was like as a person. But here, I really do have to
do more thinking than I did in a typical high school assignment.
(sighs)
Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't even be here in college because of how hard schoolwork can be
for me. But I've always wanted to work as a professional actor, director, playwright, and
possibly more. And with those kind of goals, I know that I'm gonna need a college degree of
some kind. It's good I actually did well enough in high school to get into college. I guess that
must say something about me. I guess that it's a bit ironic that my first college essay is asking me
to describe my writing process, considering how that is exactly what is challenging for me. I feel
like I kinda already talked about this with my mom when I was sending her emails last week.

(Switch to other desk, where Anthony is talking to his mom. Anthony is writing a letter to his
mom.)

ANTHONY
Dear Mom, So far, I am really enjoying college. I am making lots of new friends and I am
enjoying my classes. The one problem I still seem to be having is being a better writer than I was
in high school. These assignments tend to be more challenging than they were in high school,
and some of these assignments are difficult for me. I don't know why, but I just can't seem to
really get into these assignments, and I think that may be the main reason why I am struggling so
much in school. Anyway, I hope things are going well at home. I miss you guys. Love, Anthony.

MOM
Dear Anthony, we really miss you here at home. Yes, I noticed throughout high school that you
always got much better grades on creative writing assignments than ones that do not allow you to
use creativity quite as often. I think it would be smart for you to use the academic support center
at college often, and to take advantage of the tutors that are available to help with your English
assignments. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. We want you to be
able to do as well as you can on your assignments. We love you and miss you. Love, Mom.

ANTHONY
Mom, I have been getting some academic help on my English assignments.
I have visited the writing center at the library and have worked with tutors on editing
my assignment. Thankfully, my first major essay for English class has been to write about your
writing process, and I tend to do well on assignments that ask me to write about my own personal
experiences. The only obstacle is how there seem to be many rules on how I should be writing this
paper, but then again, rules have always been an obstacle for me while I was writing
in school. Anyway, I hope to write back again soon. - Anthony.

(Switch back to desk with laptop. Anthony is writing again.)

[end of extract]