Freelance Copywriter / Playwright / Editor

Summary of Plays by Darryl Spijkers

Via Cookhouse Station – A deep and somber South African musical set in the small town of Cookhouse relaying the experiences of Leticia upon the loss of three very dear people in her life. This work contemplates purpose and brings to fore the very real danger of suicide.

Cinderella – An old fable retold with an eclectic mix of the 70s and the colloquial. As a panto-mini, this song and dance extravaganza comes complete with Dreamgirls, Prince Elvis and a Fairy God Mother called Auntie from Blue Downs on the CapeFlats.    

Orbit to Oz – A three cast drama dealing with love manifest through a gay relationship challenged by distance. A fantastical character named Edna is the apparition that leads the action of the play that balances rich humor with deep overtones of nostalgia and sadness. There is immense character growth making deep social commentary on loving in the new South Africa.     

Victoria & Alfred’s Christmas – The hobo leads from the hit musical Jimbo! return to warm the hearts of audience in a Christmas special where they come to find their own meaning of the festive time. Using layered realities and some emphatic lessons, this 9 cast musical is sure leave lasting impressions.    

Once Upon A Tree – A delightful children’s play that has also been written for adult understanding. Four toys wake up on Christmas eve and try to escape the restriction of being unwrapped and played with on Christmas day. After a lot of fun, magic and making some new friends, they come to understand their destiny and make some life changing decisions.   

February Mourning – An enactment of the events unfolding at a farm in Colesberg when the news revealed the release of Nelson Mandela from jail in 1990. Exploring the life of four black maids and their white madam, the social political turmoil into which they are thrown is played out with mystery and intrigue. The play shows that although circumstance is often unique - understanding and conciliation are challenges that face us all.      

Paradise Days – A 36 cast musical exploring Long Street and the many characters one might find there on any given day. Set against the backdrop of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, this play serves to make light of the challenges people on the street may face, voice the opinions of such a musical and provide hop long after the last ball is kicked.   

Anna Was Just A Girl – Set in Durban against the backdrop of a heated environmental struggle, this classic South African love tale centers on Anna, a white girl, who falls in love Bennie, a coloured son of a fisherman from Wentworth. When Anna meets a more favorable partner, her feigned concept of love and indecisive nature causes a lifetime of regret. This is a true test of one mans love for a woman.  

Coloured! – A quirky play exploring the modern culture of the ‘coloured’ people of South Africa - as a race created classified in South Africa under European domination. Unpacking the history, challenges and cultural identity crisis, the barriers of time are transcended as a lost heritage is proposed for acceptance through the six characters.

The Key Keeper – A striking tale following the ownership and drama surrounding key to the cell that housed Nelson Mandela on Robben Island. Set on the island we gain insight to the people and feelings of a critical time in South African history that changed lives – some for the better, others for the worse.

Return to Sender – A story of how one man keeps the hopes of a mother and two wives alive during the early 90s andSouth Africa’s military presence in Angola. Dealing with the human instinct to protect this is a tale of loving and forgiving that has a journey to it that will touch the hearts of all that see it.  

Fiela’s Boy – A classic tale retold with the same memorable characters – this time in English and though a collection of hit songs. Reset in newly democratic South Africa, the age old issues are livened and our senses tickled by this story of a mother’s undying love and a sons quest to find his place in the world.

Listen For The Sun – When a death threat is made to a trouble household in Cradock in the early 90s, all they can do is wait. Hysteria builds as discoveries are made about each other and life.      

Poetry by Darryl Spijkers

In Reverence of Milk in Plastic Packets – a collection of 60 biographical poems dealing with growing up in the old South Africa and experiencing the new. It collates people I have met and loved, my tango with environmental racism and the dreams I have had.

 

   

Personal lyricism is the outcry of prisoner to prisoner from the cell in solidarity where each is confined for the duration of his life. The writer holds the keys to each cell.


It’s time you sourced copywriting, copy editing, proofreading and creative content services from a freelance copywriter, copy editor, proofreader and writing trainer who loves words and could think of nothing better than handling the copy that plagues your busy day.


thedashingwriter@gmail.com 0723841953

As a writer, poet and playwright with 8 years experience in journalism, editing, marketing and PR – Darryl is among South Africa’s most sought after copy creators. Servicing SME’s, advertising agencies, publishing houses and larger corporations, Darryl has a fine understanding of each clients unique needs. 
  

Benefit from:

* Web copy that drives real traffic
* Newsletters that unite your organisation
* Brochures that build credibility
* Proposals that provoke a ‘Yes!’
* Sales letters that move your company forward
* Marketing material that means business
* Speeches that stun your audience

Services

1. Web Content & Company Profiles 
Web content includes any copy written for the web. This could be a simple news update, or a whole new website, and can also include search optimized content which uses keywords to help your website show up in search engines such as Google.
2. Banner and Short Copy
This type of copy is short, punchy and often has a call to action to encourage clicks or purchases. This can also include bylines or slogans, and ranges from online banners to products.
3. Keyword Research
Keyword research is an essential part of any SEO or SEM campaign, and gives you a complete list of valuable keywords relating to your business which can be used to optimize your website and ultimately increase your traffic.
4. Newsletters, Brochures, Annual Reports
Newsletters help you keep your customers updated with any company news, as well as promote new products and increase sales. You can also choose to add fun extras to keep your customers reading to the very last sentence. Brochures need to capture the brand or product you wish to portray in an impactful way! Annual or other reports no longer have to be boring. 
5. Mailshots
Mailshots are similar to newsletters, but are essentially used to promote any special events, offers, deals or product launches that you want your customers to know about. These have a more hard-sell approach, with plenty of calls to action to encourage readers to click through to your website or promotional page.
6. Blogging
Blogging is by far one of the most popular forms of communication today – and having a regularly updated blog for your customers to see what is happening in your business is key to maintaining and developing good relations. Your blog can also be promoted on various social network platforms, and can bring in a lot of new traffic (and ultimately more sales!).
7. Online Marketing
Like most of the world, you probably have some experience with Facebook and YouTube, but there are also many other social network platforms as well as forums that allow you to share your news and promote your business to thousands of potential customers.
8. Press Releases & Reviews
So you’ve just launched an exciting new range of products? Well, make sure the world knows by sending out a press release to announce your awesome new developments! Press releases are distributed to a number of key newswire sites on the internet, spreading your news to all corners of the web.
8. SEO Articles
SEO articles or informative articles linking back to your website are very useful to increase your website traffic, and help your website rank higher in search engines. These articles also offer your website visitors a valuable resource, which increases trust and your already solid reputation as the best in your field.
9. Competitive Market Research
Competitive research helps you stay ahead of the pack, and offers highly valuable information on your biggest competitors – including their website strengths, weaknesses, keywords, page ranking, traffic ranking, slogans and other key information.
10. Editing, Summarizing, Proofreading and Rewriting
Quality Control is a fundamental part of the production process, and editing, rewriting and proofreading are some of the ‘fix ups’ I offer to ensure that work is 1000% perfect for your audience.
11. Call Centre Scripts
Talking on the telephone comes naturally to some but it is recommended that for maximum effect, high customer service and general consistency – every company makes use of a script for their staff when calling customers.
12. School Plays, Radio and other Scripts
Every school wants to put on their own play. I will help you write the perfect play tailored to your specific time, budget and cast requirements.
13. Commissioned Creative Work
Its time to have your biography written or to get a collection of poems devised to capture those special moments. I also write personal eulogies, short stories and would much like to work on a novel with someone not interested in doing the hard work of writing it themself.
14. Speeches, Essays and Letters
For business or private functions, lectures, church meetings and campaigns – saying the right thing is very important. I will also help draft the letter you need to be well written.

There are also many other services available – from sales letters, proposals, histories, training manuals, information guides, profiles or even photography… you name it, I’ll write it.

Here’s some of the basic rates but its best you ask for a quote based on your specific needs…

Hourly rates
Editing / Summation / Proofreading - R150 ph
ATL Copy (branding / conceptual) - R290 ph
DM Copy (direct marketing / newsletters / creative pitch / banner / short) - R230 ph
Website Copy (including profiling and research on related topics) - R200ph
BTL Copy (brochures, manuals, long) - R290 ph
Flat Rates

Press Release - R700 each
Review - R950 each
Company Profile for website - R500 - standard (400 - 700 words) / R800 - extended (700+)
Company profile for print / email – from R850 (3pages) 
Additional web pages - R120 each - standard (up to 200 words) / R200 each - extended (over 200 words)
Newsletter / DM Text - R180 per newsletter (up to 300 words) (R550 for four) / R240 per newsletter (over 300 words) (R800 for four)

Contact The Dashing Writer
with your specific needs and to book in a project...

0723841953

thedashingwriter@gmail.com

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MUSIC EDITING

Utilising the latest software, Darryl can also create musical tracks for your specific needs. He has a vast library of  tracks that can be edited, cut, spliced, vocally reduced, boosted, altered in pitch or speed - as well as a variety of other options.

Ideal for Drum Majorette displays, theatre and school plays, Ice Skating and Gymnastic routines and other special functions. Email him for a quote. 

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The Dashing Writer
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