I was inspired during an online first aid quiz I was taking for work and I started getting distracted, wondering what I would do if there was a need to give CPR at the moment (I counted as vulnerable and was in isolation for 12 weeks). So I started to explore the premise further.
I write for all of the reasons one can write; to help myself adapt to societal norms, to improve myself and gain knowledge of how different people act – everyone is so vastly different and I want to get inside them and work out what makes them tick, I want to explore differences in their psyche and how that is portrayed in their dialogue and actions. To give advice on how to (or how not to) deal with certain situations. Even when I’m writing darker, more despairing pieces I try to include a message of hope somewhere (you may have to dig down for it). But most of all, I love the concept that all stories are a manifestation of inner psychological wars. When I started writing this piece, it’s first and foremost aim was to balance the contradicting elements within.
I wanted to take characters from the same estate and show how many different points of view there were within that umbrella. Just because they all live in the same location, doesn’t mean they share perspectives or religion or upbringing. I have attempted to write my characters from their own personal response to their lives, bearing in mind that everyone can only see their own version of the world around them.
These characters needed to be brought together by something. The incident is relatable to every character and they all want to help (whether they do or not is another matter) Kath is the anchor throughout, as we go on a journey with her through many ups and downs in a short period of time. It was important to me that the focus is on an underappreciated key worker as a hero and to show the polarisation of ideas.
Starting this project through lockdown, I was imagining what it would be like when it eased a lot of the time so it made sense to me to set this piece the first day school reopened. Over lockdown we all experienced many different thoughts and feelings and upheaval. We had to adjust to a new way of life. This is my way of exploring some of those themes. Also as a (non school-based) teacher I believe I have some idea of the type of person Kath is and wanted to make a comment on how much we under-value teachers and educators in our society.
