In the Questions and Answers collected on this page, Nan offers her thoughts and advice on how the writing
process works. She discusses writing lyrics for songs, scripts for plays and musicals, poetry and more. For
specific answers about the creative process for projects in her own career, see the Related Items pages
for The Scarlet Pimpernel,
Camille Claudel,
Saturday Night Fever and Nan's
other projects.
29 December 2012 - Question & Answer
Nan offers some advice on how to get started in the
musical theatre industry.
22 November 2006 - Question & Answer
Nan offers advice for songwriters, and thoughts
on women in the field of songwriting.
13 September 2006 - Question & Answer
Nan talks about writing humor, and the pepper and snuff
scene in Pimpernel.
19 April 2006 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the audition process and the
importance of structure in playwriting.
26 January 2006 - Question & Answer
Nan offers some advice for people who want to
become lyricists.
5 January 2006 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the opportunities in writing for
theatre at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College.
28 July 2005 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses her love of poetry, and some of
the poets and lyricists that have influenced her.
17 March 2005 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses songs and lyrics from Pimpernel
and Camille, and how to work past creative blocks.
18 December 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses writing with the critics in mind.
20 November 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the writing process, including
research and inspiration.
6 November 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the writing process and allowing
actors to improvise.
16 October 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the value of audience feedback when
developing a new musical.
18 September 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses how she approaches the writing
process for musicals and plays, and how songs fit into the writing process.
28 August 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses how the casting process works, and how a
show's writer is involved.
10 July 2003 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses the process of collaboration for
musicals, and how to start writing one.
26 November 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses working with rhymes in song lyrics.
4 November 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses collaborating with performers and
making changes to songs once rehearsals start.
12 August 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses how to write "singable" lyrics, and working
with singers to consider changing lyrics.
3 August 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses how she finds and develops ideas
for songs, including "Where's The Girl?" from Pimpernel.
17 July 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses her "big break" and how she
became the lyricist for The Scarlet Pimpernel.
10 July 2001 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses how she got started as a writer,
and where she finds inspiration.
1998 - Interview for the Scarlet Pimpernel Study Guide
Nan discusses the process of working on
The Scarlet Pimpernel, and how composers and lyricists work together. She also offers some advice for
aspiring lyricists.
