His first literary work, written while still studying, was a book of poems titled "Blumen aus Krain" (Flowers from Carniola), written in German. His first tragedy "Miss Jenny Love" (also in German) was published in 1780. Under the influence of Slovene enlighteners, especially Marko Pohlin and Sigmund Zois, he began writing in Slovene language. He translated and adapted the comedy of the German dramatist Joseph Richter "Die Feldmühle" (The Country Mill). His title for it was "Županova Micka" (Micka, the Mayor's Daughter). It is regarded as the first comedy and theatrical play in Slovene and was premiered on 28 December 1789. He also adapted Beaumarchais's comedy "The Marriage of Figaro" into a new play "Ta veseli dan ali Matiček se ženi" (This Merry Day or Matiček's Wedding).