When I was twelve, I wrote in my diary that “acting has introduced me to psychology… but I don’t want to do that because then I have to do maths, so I’ll keep acting.” I’ve always been fascinated by what motivates people and how they make sense of themselves and the world around them. My writing will usually start from this place of curiosity. This also means that I’m always aiming for the outcome of my work to provide curiosity in other people. I’m interested in work that is funny, grounded in humanity and brings together people of different politics and identities, by asking them a question.
I’m particularly drawn to stories about marginalised identities, or characters with minds perceived as ‘peculiar’, that allow audiences to connect with the characters as human beings, rather than only through their identity or ‘quirk’. Humour is often what I think makes that successful. It allows people to be invited into a character’s feelings, by laughing with them, rather than feeling like they are being told to care.
Humour and work that is for everyone is also central to my work as a trans creative consultant. I’m not interested in helping people make work that feels as though it is trying to demonstrate that it has the correct politics. I’m more interested in rich characters and stories that ask the audience an open-ended question, with nuance, rather than telling them what they should think.