4 July 2026
Stuck Writing a Novel? A Practical Guide to Getting the Thing Moving Again
Stuck writing a novel and staring at the murky middle? Here's a practical guide to diagnosing the problem and getting your story moving again.
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Fresh off the page
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Film & Television
Directing and writing credits for the screen.
How to Budget an Indie Film: A Practical Guide for UK Filmmakers
A practical guide to how to budget an indie film — covering crew, equipment, post-production, contingency funds, and where UK filmmakers should…
UK Film Legal Basics: Contracts, Releases and Permits Nobody Warns You About
A practical guide to UK film legal basics -- contracts, release forms and permits every indie filmmaker needs sorted before day one.
So You Want to Fund an Indie Film: Here’s What Nobody Tells You
Funding an indie film is harder than it looks. Here's an honest guide to grants, crowdfunding, private investment — and the mistakes…
Character in Filmmaking: The Engine Behind Every Great Story
What makes a great film? Not the gear, not the locations — the characters. A personal look at why character in filmmaking…
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Writing
Scripts, essays, and work in progress.
Stuck Writing a Novel? A Practical Guide to Getting the Thing Moving Again
Stuck writing a novel and staring at the murky middle? Here's a practical guide to diagnosing the problem and getting your story…
How to Start Writing a Novel: A Practical Guide for Complete Beginners
Ready to learn how to start writing a novel? This practical beginner's guide covers finding your idea, planning your story, building characters,…
Nobody Warned Me It Would Feel Like This
Two novels in progress, a head full of doubt, and what nobody tells you about writing long-form fiction.
Why Every Brilliant Idea I Have Arrives at 2am and Leaves by Breakfast
A comical confession about the brilliant 2am writing ideas that feel genius in the dark and ridiculous by breakfast — and what…
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Theatre
Stage productions and behind the curtain.
Why Amateur Theatre Is Better Than Professional
It's not about polish or budget. It's about love. A Front of House Manager makes the case for why your local amateur…
The Stage Is Not Dying. It’s Waking Up.
Theatre attendance is booming nationally — but south east venues are fighting for survival. Why live performance matters more than ever, and…
Is This the End of Theatre? (Spoiler: No, But We Need to Talk)
A look at why South East theatres are struggling with falling ticket sales this year, what's really driving it, and how venues…
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Personal
Life off the page and off set.
Why Being Number One Ruins Mobile MMO Games For Everyone Else
You don't need to be top of the leaderboard to enjoy a mobile MMO. Here's why the chase for number one ruins…
Stealing Hours: The Games That Keep Me Sane
From managing Kings Lynn Town to Champions League glory to losing entire nights to Civilisation, here's what I play when life finally…
Why I Write About Grimsby (and Apparently Wales) When I Live in Kent
A wry, personal look at why a man who's lived in Kent for over a decade still writes about Grimsby — and…
My Website Is Now Fully Pirate-Themed and I Cannot Fully Explain Why
My website just went full pirate-themed overnight—no strategy, no reason, just vibes. Here's the confused, honest story behind the rebrand.
Portfolio
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Selected Work
A few of the productions, projects, and credits I'm proudest of.
The Lawman Legacy
A Texas sheriff is killed by a gang of outlaws. His son grows up to become the new lawman in town and…
Gary JJ Spate – Old Wives’ Tales
When you’re a child your mother always tells you old wives tales. It may sound silly today but we always believed them…
The Botanicals – Alcoholic Utopia
Official Music Video of Alcoholic Utopia by The Botanicals
Mr Midnight
A charismatic late-night radio host known as “Mr. Midnight” must navigate the depths of grief and rediscover hope after the sudden loss…
Gary JJ Spate – Don’t Say Sorry
When the one you love leaves you for someone else you want to know why, not just get an apology. I wrote…
Somme16
Somme 16 is inspired by the true events of Albert Ernest Peeke a Private in the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment during the…