Writing
Found below are short samples of some of my personal writing projects in script, prose and even some game text concept. They range from intense supernatural horrors through to quirky off-beat science fiction pieces.
These are all just samples – I am not actively working on all of these projects, although I do aspire to finish many of them and produce in whatever format possible. I like to come back, revise, and update what’s on here, and intend to add even more work in the near future.
I welcome any conversations about these projects and the possibility to collaborate.
‘We Are Spared Hell’
“Know yourself, avoid bad company, and stand firm.”
A traumatised orphan, an ostracised nun, both trying to survive a country torn apart by war. Against the backdrop of religious persecution and destruction, their parallel stories will intertwine as they each navigate the cruel machinations of men and a mysterious apocalyptic prophesy. With the time for miracles now passed, how far can their faith be tested, and what promises will they make to survive…
An original story inspired by the 17th century picaresque novel ‘Simplicius Simplicissimus’, written by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen. It is a folkloric horror that combines the grim setting of the Thirty Years War (1618-48) with Germanic and Christian mythologies, to produce a story focused on superstition, existentialism, and faith. The story is being developed as both a feature-length screenplay and larger novel manuscript, and samples of each style are provided below.
Project Umbra
“And DO remember, take a moment everyday to look outside and enjoy that spectacular view!”
It’s been ten years since the scientific expedition on Proxima Centauri c first established base. And three years since they went silent. That station has waited in equilibrium, in a state of mystery ever since – in a state of total darkness. Now it’s time to turn the lights on, and uncover the truth of what happened to the crew of Project Umbra.
Project Umbra is an original game concept, a narrative driven science-fiction horror, inspired by a range of dystopian and atmospheric games like Bioshock and Dead Space. Attached below are some short writing samples intended to demonstrate my ability to write in-game object texts for interactions and collectables.
Dancing Machines
“It is erratic… it is… inconsistent… illogical even. They are… are… Dancing!”
In the year 2048, David Dubois is a former robot expert called in by the enigmatic Penniworth Toy Packaging Company to investigate an outbreak of a virus amongst their synthetic workforce that causes the robots to dance. As he tries to stop the virus spreading and uncover its cause, he soon begins to wonder about the broader scientific and philosophical questions the machines raise.
Inspired by my game prototype of the same name, Dancing Machines is a short sci-fi comedy inspired by short stories found in Isaac Asimov’s ‘I, Robot’. I am still experimenting whether I want it to be prose or script, but below is a sample opening in the latter format.
Spacewalker in an Antique Land
“Soon enough you’ll be a star yourself, a twinkle in the night sky…”
The first human to venture to the edge of the galaxy, Abigail feels the weight of expectation and the fear of the unknown. And now, sitting alone at her journey’s end, she is left alone with only her thoughts, and the remnants of what came before.
A project in its infancy, this meditative science fiction story is an exploration on loneliness, the cosmic awe of space, and the bounds of human achievement. Below is a short sample of prose, inspired by varying science fiction sources, and a rather poignant poem by Percy Shelley…