I think for many people, the last two years can be filed under ‘strange’. For me it’s been a time of self-doubt, uncertainty, depression and renewal.
Some positives: after my first adventure into writing for a licenced property came out in November 2020, I returned to the worlds of BLAKE’S 7 for the release of BAYBAN’S BOUNTY in June 2021. This was my first full cast audio drama commission, and I’m very happy with how it came out. I was able to attend the online recording of my script and hear the actors bring it to life. Colin Baker was charming, and there was time to chat with him about the script and his character in between takes.
In July I was stunned and delighted to hear that my feature screenplay THE WAITING ROOM won the Best Unproduced Screenplay award at the LA Sci-Fi and Horror Film Festival! The next step is to get this thing produced, which is the real trick, something I’m still working on.
In October I fulfilled a longstanding ambition to write for DOCTOR WHO with the release of my audiobook THE ASHES OF ETERNITY. I was also commissioned to write a second audiobook, which I completed in October. This one won’t be out until January 2023 unfortunately!
In between audio commissions I’ve been focused on writing for animation and I’ve developed two original series scripts and written two other scripts for existing series. It’s been a lot of fun and I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to develop this strand of my writing career further in 2022.
In November BOMB SCARES issue 3 was published and featured a 6 page comic strip written and illustrated by me. This strip dates back more than 20 years, so it’s strangely satisfying to see it finally in print.
I also did a little bit of work on ARKSHIP OMEGA, the sixth book in the ARKSHIP SAGA series. I really wanted to get this finished and published this year but it still needs more work before it’s ready. I’m frustrated by the continued delayed – this is due to my own limited time to complete it around work for other people. Next year, I promise.
I’m also ending the year by leaving my current day job to start something different in 2022. I’m hoping this change will also invigorate my writing and allow me the space to be more productive.
Some negatives: I’m not going to pick them apart or dwell on them. I’m going to learn from them and put them behind me.
On reflection, I can see that 2021 was a very productive year, and I managed to make some good progress with my writing. Here’s hoping that continues into 2022.
