I have always loved writing for as long as I can remember. I had great fun during my childhood, writing plays for my friends and I used to perform- anything from detective mysteries to fairy stories!
I grew up in a Fen village near Cambridge but went to London at the age of 18 to study BA Hons Writing at Middlesex University. On graduating, I was fortunate enough to gain a work experience placement at BBC Radio Drama. I learnt a huge amount there and went on to develop a play with one of the Producers. The play, NIGHTCAP was inspired by a real incident in my Fen village and was commissioned as an Afternoon Play for Radio 4- a very exciting moment!
Another very exciting moment was when I got a job as Trainee Script Editor on EastEnders. I worked on the show for three and a half years as a Script Editor and Story Editor. I learnt a vast amount about stories, scripts and stamina! In 2005 I was given the chance to write an episode of the show and this was just the prompt I needed to go freelance. It also meant I could move back to my home of the Fens.
Since becoming a freelance writer I’ve written several episodes of EastEnders as well as an episode of Casualty. I’m currently working on various original projects and have written a play for teenagers, ANGEL IN THE PARK, which was performed by my local youth theatre in Newmarket, Suffolk.
Previous school projects include working with Year 8 and 9 boys on spin off Lord Of The Rings scripts, World Book Day workshops with KS1 and KS2 and Create A Play with both Year 6 and Year 10 groups. Last year I also ran a project with Red Balloon Learner Centre in Cambridge, which caters for students that have come out of mainstream education due to being bullied. I helped the students develop an original play through improvisation and it was amazing to see their confidence grow.
I am currently doing a Writer’s Residency with Action For Children, working with their Young Carers (7-11years) to develop a modern day fairytale. This is proving to be an extremely rewarding experience.
I am really passionate about inspiring and enthusing children from all backgrounds and helping them realise that anything is possible!
Workshops
I am happy to run workshops with all ages, though preferably from Year 3 upwards. I can either run a Whole Day Workshop with a specific class/year group or shorter individual sessions with a number of classes. I am happy to link my workshops in with current themes in the curriculum or to devise something entirely myself. I aim to give the students a basic understanding of story structure, character and dialogue. This can then be developed through improvisation or creative writing, whichever suits the children’s learning needs most appropriately. I like to introduce some practical drama exercises too, to increase energy and kick- start the imagination!
Feedback
‘Laura is able to communicate at all levels and is able to enthuse and inspire young writers. I have always found her to be extremely well prepared, adaptable and versatile in her approach. Laura’s workshops are always fun, differentiated and exciting.’ (Andy Thorpe, Director of Arts at Bushfield Community College, Peterborough)
‘Laura has worked with the children as a class and in groups, as well as responding positively and constructively to them as individuals. She has integrated drama and shown good management skills while different activities are taking place. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Laura and been grateful for the very positive impact her visits have had with the children. She has the capacity to open new doors, to broaden horizons and, most importantly of all, to inspire……..’
(Annie Freeman, Head of Literacy at Fordham Primary School, Cambs)
Credits include:
Professional:  EastEnders episode tx 30th June 2008, EastEnders episode tx 28th March 2008, Casualty episode tx 1st March 2008, EastEnders episode tx 17th September 2007, EastEnders episode tx 1st May 2007, EastEnders episode tx 30th April 2007, EastEnders episode tx 5th February 2007, EastEnders episode tx 13th November 2006, EastEnders episode tx 19th September 2006, EastEnders episode tx 18th May 2006, EastEnders episode tx 23rd August 2005, EastEnders episode tx 15th April 2005, Nightcap- Afternoon Play on Radio 4 tx 12th March 2002, repeated 12th Jan 2004.
Amateur: Angel In The Park- I wrote this play for teenagers as a one-act piece, which won Best Youth Production @ Newmarket Drama Festival. I expanded it into a full-length play and it was recently performed @ Kings Theatre Newmarket in Suffolk. Also, A Hand To Hold- written as part of Core Writers Group at Soho Theatre and performed as a rehearsed reading at Soho Theatre.

Teachers’ Resources: Explore the world of your author through our exciting one page class handouts. Click on  The World of Laura Watson