An aspiring writer has credited his university with giving him the confidence and skills to pursue his dream career.
Jackson Watkinson, 21, from Penwortham, is graduating from Edge Hill University with a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing. He goes into post-graduation life with a strong portfolio which includes working on two tabletop skirmish games with Crooked Dice, a game design studio.
However, he initially lacked the confidence to share his creative ideas. Jackson credits the University’s Inclusion team with helping him overcome the stresses he faced, while his tutors provided advice and support on his studies.
“In my first year, I lacked the confidence to share my ideas for stories. Peer feedback was integral to my course, so this was a major problem.
“I’ve had two learning facilitators over my three-year course; they both helped me break down my worries and my work.
“They were allocated to me by the Inclusion team, who helped set up my equipment, resources, and allowances.”
Jackson Watkinson
In his second year, Jackson was part of the team that made 7TV: Dracula, a narrative skirmish game based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 classic novel.
It involved rereading the novel and determining every character, item and location to develop an adaptation faithful to the original story.
“As well as writing the profile cards for Quincey Morris and the Great Dog, two of the game’s player models, I also became the group’s photographer and documented our progress as we developed the game.
“In my third year I joined Crooked Dice’s design team for another narrative skirmish project, a sci-fi gang-building game titled Colony 87.
“Being involved in these games has really boosted my confidence, teamwork skills and employability.
“I cannot thank Peter Wright and Crooked Dice enough for giving me the opportunity to get involved, and for the confidence shown in me by Karl Perrotton, head of Crooked Dice.
“Since being introduced through my course I’ve been commissioned twice for proofreading work, and recommended to other games designers as a copy editor.”
Jackson Watkinson
Now a graduate, the skills and experience Jackson has developed through his course will be integral in his future career.
To discover more about our courses, please visit ehu.ac.uk/study.
July 19, 2023
