Whilst redrafting "Those Who Must Fall", my historical thriller novel, I faced a challenge of contextualising the characters' backstories. It is a common occurrence in my early drafts: when I am throwing ideas at the page that are hard to track - especially with large breaks between writing. The discoveries I make during this splurge surprise even me. But, as I said, it creates inconsistencies in the story, and the characters only really exist in the moment. To overcome this challenge, I took...

The British theatre industry is averse to the imagination or theatre for entertainment’s sake. Producers seem to think that everyone wants to watch the same regurgitated storylines about teenagers’ mental health, failed relationships, and climate change. There is an obsession with portraying “real” stories. Stories that condense the magic of performance; that limit it to a narrow worldview devoid of expression. What this gets you is the same drivel set in a failing public school or a...

"It's My Birthday!" A twisted monologue... Two knocks at the door. I’m not ready yet. I haven’t powdered my nose, curled my lashes, donned the red lipstick – I haven’t even brushed my hair! Quickly, quickly, I tug my fingers through the knotted plaits. Another clump of hair falls out. I had a shower yesterday; the floor became a soggy carpet. It’s the stress. It eats away at me like radiation. Or the guilt. My doctor says it’s the guilt. I don’t feel guilty. I smooth...