Start Small

On working out the smaller stories concerning your characters

A long time ago, I had the opportunity to pitch an idea for a Black Mirror book of short stories. I crumbled with the pressure of coming up with an idea that felt in conversation with one of my favourite shows. Spoiler alert for what you already know: I didn’t get the job. I’m not even sure the anthology even came out. But I understand now why I didn’t get the nod.

I spent too long trying to pitch a cool Black Mirror episode rather than write about something I’m interested in, and apply the world of Black Mirror to it. I understood better when I was working on Spider-Man India, but I’ll get to that.