Any story you write about war, or film you make about war, is bound to be political whether you like it or not.

I don't consciously try to take my readers on a journey as I don't really think about my readers when I'm writing. I just try to write what I feel passionately about, to tell a story down onto the page.

cause when there's life there's still hope

Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it's through writing, drama or art is so important in giving young people a sense of self-worth.

We have bodies coming home and coffins covered in flags, not just in the UK but world-wide.

I'm still not sure I want to be a writer. I think of myself as a storyteller more.

Unless you can be in a place yourself and go through the subject of your story yourself, the next best thing is not to read a book about it, or see a movie about it, it's to talk to the people who've been there.