Gen Z, the babies born from around 1997 to around 2010, not to be confused with Gen Alpha’s 6/7. Completely different ages. Most of us are past 18 now. A lot of us were around when computers couldn’t be moved as they were extremely heavy, the same with TV’s. We were there before touch screen became a thing. We have ambitions outside of being a social media star, we have normal lives that don’t automatically revolve around phones.

I didn’t have anywhere to write scripts when I started at 11, I started in the computer room of my school, saved it on my log in till I could get a USB. I went home, continued bits on paper or put notes in my iPod touch. I eventually got an iPad and wrote in my notes which was non transferable unless I emailed it to myself and could access at school. Every dinner time, every break I could get, every free lesson, I was writing my own world. I got home and wrote more, putting it together step by step. The notes app wasn’t the best then, I was glad when pages came around.

I was sending off my script for production from being 13, it was meant to be 16 but que sera. I obviously didn’t get anywhere, that wasn’t fine by me then but I’m happier for it now. When I was 16, I got to the final stages of BBC writers room. I was happy but they ultimately picked a crime drama (basic.) Later, I got to the second stage with the same script for development at UKTV. I’m glad again it didn’t happen, I look back at that script and cringe.

I wrote and wrote, developing every idea my brain latched onto. Crafted new series, loved that. I sold my childhood for writing.

I never once stopped writing except for a few days break. I’ve made 2 of my series, multiple short films, multiple music videos and now developing my next series while helping with other people’s projects.

What writing am I doing? At the moment, I am working on, for the pure joy, how I’d write the upcoming season of SVU. I love mentally doing this with series. It’s where my love began for writing. I’d read script from Waterloo Road, Casualty and more for fun. I think the first script I ever read was ER: “full moon, Saturday night.” ER was ultimately what made me write my first script and I’m grateful.

One spark can create a fire of imagination and fuel passion.