Tell us a little bit about your journey to studying Creative Writing and where you have ended up because of the course...
I have always loved reading, writing and any form of storytelling but it wasn’t until my second or third year at university that I started to view it as a real career path. I was always told through high school just to pick the subjects that I enjoyed and that was something that I carried over into my university life – I figured that if I just continued to do subjects that I loved doing every day then I would find a job that made me just as happy. As I found my niche in Creative writing and the support I needed from lecturers, I genuinely really looked forward to going to learn every day over my Bachelors and my Masters so I knew I had to follow it into a career.
Whilst in my Masters year at University I was lucky enough to land a position as a Trainee Script Editor with Creative Scotland that set me up on working on the development and production of BBC’s Shetland. I really enjoyed the 6 months that I worked on the scripts and felt like the lessons I had learnt at university had stood me in good stead to be able to pick up things quickly in this demanding role. Once filming wrapped, I knew that alongside developing my novel - working in TV would be a steady stream of income, unparalleled experience and great connections whilst allowing me to learn new things about the creative process behind developing scripts and building stories.
I was keen to get into TV again so applied for lots of different jobs up and down the country and eventually managed to land a job with ITV where I work currently as a Researcher on Coronation Street. I work incredibly closely with Storyliners and Writers to develop the stories that are seen on screen - it’s so exciting to be part of such a huge production and have a part to play in a real institution of entertainment. The experience and knowledge I gained at university was integral in getting the job at ITV and the knowledge I developed in lectures such as structuring exciting plotlines and building three-dimensional characters translates into my every-day working life which is something I am grateful for.
TV has fantastic mobility amongst departments and because we all work so closely together it is a perfect opportunity to work with like-minded individuals with a wealth of connections and experiences to share. I think if you are considering a Masters in Creative Writing then a job in TV is definitely something that you should think about for your future as it allows you to use everything you are taught in lectures in the real-world whilst allowing time to work on your own projects and equipping you well through the people you meet as well as the allowing you to experience incredible creative opportunities where you can see your ideas be brough to life.
Tell us about the degree and what you enjoyed about it...
I think the vast range of things that we were taught across the Masters degree was one of the parts that I enjoyed most about the course. I was encouraged to try many different forms of writing that pushed me out of my comfort zone whilst making me a better and more rounded writer. We learnt about short stories, poems non-fiction and how to create hybrids across form and genre. It taught us to think outside the box and that our writing could be whatever we wanted it to be. The Masters teaches modern writing skills as well as how to navigate the world as a writer which is a skill that I feel like I have really leaned on and developed since leaving the course.
We were taught to read broadly and how to dissect writing like a writer would. The course opened my eyes to the freedom of form, experimenting with genre and even moving my writing across different mediums. The way that the course is structured pushed me to consider my own writing further and build on things I was already confident into the point where I developed new skills and passions.
Although, above the content and the structure of the course both lecturers, Rodge and Andrew are what made learning the craft every day so enjoyable. As mentors they were both someone that I could trust to be wholly honest with my work, and always pushed me to be the best I could be. Although we were their students, they talked to us writer-to-writer and really saw all of our potential. They made a huge impact on my writing (and probably always will) and there is no doubt that I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in without them. It was fantastic to learn from two writers who are endlessly passionate about their subject and about teaching it well – their passion inspires passion and they are writers (and people) who I will always look up to.
How has the course helped you reach towards your future goals?
Outside of my day-job at ITV, I still aspire to be an author (and then perhaps one day a lecturer). The Masters course showed me that I could submit my work to literary magazines and competitions in order to get my name out in to the literary-sphere. From this, I took the ideas I developed through my dissertation and wrote a short story that ultimately won the Creative Futures Gold prize 2022 which gave me the opportunity to go to London to read my story at the London Literary Festival in front of many agents and mentors. Without the encouragement from the lecturers on the course I would never have had the confidence to go in for the competition so above all, I think one of the main things I took away from university was belief in myself.
I have also worked closely with Extra-Teeth on a six-month mentorship and have written work in The Skinny and Neon and have had these opportunities because the Masters course did not only just teach me how to write but how to be a writer and juggle writing alongside other commitments too.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering working in a similar role to yours?
I think that working in the creative industry (and all the months trying to get a foot through the door) has meant that I have grown thick skin. It can be a gruelling industry to get into because it is so competitive, but I have learnt to put the blinders on, look straight forward and just concentrate in doing what is best for me to the best of my ability.
It is a blessing and a curse to want to be in the creative industry because you are surrounded by wonderful, passionate people but because the work we create is often close to our hearts it is very difficult not to take it personally when things are rejected or don’t go our way so learning to take things on the chin and not to compare yourself to others is absolutely vital – every creative person has their own specific niche so I think it is very rare that we are ever in direct competition with our peers (although the industry sometimes makes it feel like so).
I think one of the main pieces of advice that I would give to someone wanting to break into the TV industry would be to be relentless and passionate. I sent out countless emails to indie production companies asking for a meeting to introduce myself, I applied for jobs I definitely didn’t have enough experience for and applied to so many traineeships that I lost count - I spoke to anyone who would listen about wanting to have a job in the creative industry and although I really did get fed up of what felt like an uphill battle it only takes one person to take you on and that has led to me doing a job where I can create stories every day and learn underneath some really amazing individuals.
