Discover how persistence, industry feedback, and coaching helped Tamsin up her writing game—and how these lessons can fuel your writing career too.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with my former client, Tamsin Larby, a talented screenwriter and former theatre professional with a passion for creating impactful, thought-provoking stories.
In our conversation, Tamsin shares her journey from writing on the side to being selected for the prestigious Writers Lab UK, her experience writing a radio play, and her recent foray into the world of video game writing. She also offers valuable insights into how networking, persistence, and coaching have shaped her career.
No matter what type of writer you are, there are plenty of lessons to be learned from Tamsin’s journey.
Katy:
Thanks for joining me today, Tamsin. Would you mind starting by briefly introducing yourself?
Tamsin:
I’m Tamsin Larby. I have a background in theatre, having worked as an actor, director, and producer. I set up a company focused on creating new work with young people around healthy relationships, particularly preventing domestic and sexual violence. This work eventually led me to writing short films. I completed an MA in screenwriting, where I met you, Katy. For years, I wrote on the side while also facilitating drama work with young people. It wasn’t until I started entering competitions that I began taking my writing career seriously.
Getting Selected for the Writers Lab UK
Katy:
You were recently selected for the Writers Lab UK, which is an impressive achievement. Congratulations! Can you tell us about your journey to being selected and what the programme involved?
Tamsin:
Over the years, I’ve written about five or six spec scripts—most of which were a learning process, of course. Not every script was perfect, but each one helped me refine my voice and understanding of the craft. The first time I applied to the Writers Lab, I submitted two scripts, but the script I was working on at the time wasn’t quite ready. So, I continued working on it and applied again the following year. That’s when I was selected.
The programme was fantastic—it started with a two-day online kick-off where we met with the cohort and participated in workshopping each other’s scripts and masterclasses.
Over the next six months, we had regular meetings with producers, which was invaluable. My script went through significant changes during this process. In fact, it probably changed more radically than anyone else’s in the group. I learned a lot about what makes a strong spec script and about the development process. This experience opened my eyes to the realities of the industry, but it also gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
The Development Process
Katy:
It sounds like the development process was a real challenge, but also a growth opportunity. What feedback did you receive during the industry meetings?
Tamsin:
Yes, the feedback was eye-opening. While I got some encouraging words about the emotional depth of my script, I also learned some hard truths.
One thing I heard from multiple producers was that there’s a lot of interest in new writers, but also a sense that there aren’t as many productions happening. That said, the producers found my script engaging, though it was clear my work on climate change wasn’t as unique anymore. I received feedback suggesting that I needed to think about future developments of the climate crisis and how the story would hold up in two years.
Interestingly, I had really toned down the thriller aspect of the script as I was encouraged to focus more on the emotional story, but feedback came back saying the thriller elements felt underdeveloped. That was a big lesson for me: to balance the emotional story with the genre elements and to keep the pace tight.
Getting Notes
Katy:
You’ve mentioned before that you sent your script out to other producers. How did the process of pitching and receiving notes shape your journey?
Tamsin:
After the programme, I sent the script to several production companies and received feedback from about four or five people. The notes were really useful, especially as they highlighted areas that I hadn’t fully addressed, like procedural elements and keeping the thriller aspects alive. Even though some of the feedback meant I had to rethink aspects of the script, it helped refine my overall storytelling approach. It wasn’t just about getting my script optioned, but about learning what works and what doesn’t.
The whole process has made me more resilient and determined to keep improving my work. Even if my project didn’t get picked up immediately, I knew that feedback from industry professionals would push me to make my script even stronger.
Writing for Radio
Katy:
You’ve also had a really wonderful radio play produced. Can you share how that opportunity came about and what the process was like?
Tamsin:
The radio play came about quite organically. I had this idea for a political story and workshopped it with a writers’ group. At that point, I had about five different ideas, but this one stood out as the most compelling, even though some didn’t quite like it. It was a story about a pensioner who eggs a right-wing politician, a reaction to the rise of right-wing politics I felt strongly about at the time.
I entered it into a competition in Ireland, which was looking for European-themed works, and it was selected. It was produced and broadcast, and the response was fantastic. It was an exhilarating process—hearing my work on the airwaves and receiving positive feedback was a real confidence booster.
Game Writing
Katy:
That’s fantastic. Now, you’re also taking part in a video game writing programme. How did this opportunity come about and what’s it like to write for games?
Tamsin:
Yes, I’m currently part of a programme through Screen South, which is an organisation funded by the BFI and Arts Council. The programme focuses on narrative-driven virtual reality games. My project, for example, is a fantasy story about birds on a journey to prevent extinction, which has an environmental theme. The programme involves developing your game idea with other writers, producers, and industry professionals.
Writing for games has been a real eye-opener. The major difference is that you’re not just telling a story; you’re designing a narrative experience where the player has agency. I’ve had to think about character motivations in new ways because the player will be making decisions that drive the story forward. It forces you to understand what makes characters act, how they’re motivated, and how those motivations fuel the progression of the story. It’s a deeper level of thinking about character, and it’s already helped me in my traditional writing projects too.
Deepening Your Craft
Katy:
I think you’ve mentioned how your understanding of writing and character motivation has shifted in this process. Can you elaborate on that?
Tamsin:
Absolutely. Writing for a game has forced me to think more deeply about what drives each character’s actions. The player has to feel like they are making meaningful choices.
In traditional screenwriting, you’re mostly concerned with the narrative, but in games, the player is part of the story, and their decisions matter. I’ve had to spend more time understanding each character’s motivation—what do they want, and why do they take the actions they do? It’s a deeper level of thinking about character, and it’s already helped me in my traditional writing projects too.
Finding Time to Write
Katy:
And balancing your writing with other responsibilities—how do you manage that?
Tamsin:
It’s a big challenge, especially when I was working full-time and writing on the side. It wasn’t always easy, and there were moments when I felt like I wasn’t making progress. But, over time, I learned to carve out dedicated writing time, and that discipline helped me push forward. I had to be consistent, even when I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired.
I’m an early riser. So I wake up early and begin my day with some free writing, just to get the words flowing. I write longhand, which helps me bypass the inner critic and get into a creative zone. After that, I move on to working on my current project.
I’ve found that when I don’t start my day this way, the writing just doesn’t happen, so it’s become a vital part of my routine. To help me stay focused, I use a tool called Freedom, which blocks the internet. It’s a tip I got from you, Katy!
Katy:
That sounds like a powerful routine. Now, you’ve mentioned the value of coaching in your journey. What has working with me meant for you?
Working with a Writing Coach
Tamsin:
Working with you was a huge turning point for me. When I first came to you, I was struggling with self-doubt and lacking direction. You helped me build the confidence I needed to put myself and my work out there.
One of the most valuable things you encouraged me to do was to get active on LinkedIn. It’s been instrumental in building my network and finding industry contacts. You also helped me stay disciplined in my writing, which was key during those periods when I felt stuck. Having someone to keep me accountable and provide clear guidance gave me the focus I needed to move forward.
Katy:
I’m so glad to have been part of your journey, Tamsin. I know that you’re now a screenwriting teacher. How has this role affected your own writing practice?
Tamsin:
Teaching has really changed my perspective on writing. Being able to guide others through the process has made me more reflective about my own writing. It forces me to break things down, which in turn helps me clarify my own approach. I’m constantly thinking about the ‘why’ behind certain techniques and structures, and I’ve become more intentional with my own writing. It’s also helped me appreciate the importance of storytelling at a deeper level—explaining concepts to others really solidified my understanding. So, even though I’m teaching others, I find that it’s enhancing my own writing practice.
Katy:
Thanks so much for talking to me today, Tamsin. Where can readers connect with you if they’d like to follow your journey?
Tamsin:
You can find me on Instagram (@dissap_diva) and LinkedIn (Tamsin Larby). Feel free to reach out!
Key Takeaways
- Perseverance pays off: Tamsin wrote several spec scripts, often learning from the process, before being selected for the Writers Lab UK.
- Industry feedback is invaluable: Even when scripts don’t get picked up, feedback from producers and industry professionals sharpens your storytelling and pushes you to improve.
- Game writing offers a fresh perspective: Writing for video games challenges you to think more deeply about character motivation and narrative agency, enhancing your overall writing.
- Balancing writing with other responsibilities: Tamsin’s persistence in writing alongside other work shows that with discipline and dedication, it’s possible to make progress, even when juggling a job.
- Coaching boosts confidence: Working with a coach can provide the structure, accountability, and confidence needed to pursue writing goals and grow your career.
I hope you’ve found today’s interview as inspiring as I did. Please do subscribe to my newsletter to get more articles like this, direct to your inbox.
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