FAQs
How did you become a game writer?
It started in 2011 when I took a summer job as a game tester. I learned about game productions and thought “hey, I could be a game writer too.”
In my spare time, I had written short stories and novel chapters too terrible for the world to see. I told myself I needed to take my craft more seriously and enrolled in a creative writing program the following year.
By 2014, I finished school. Armed with a graduate degree from Wilkes University but lacking industry experience, I couldn’t land a writing or teaching job, so I went back to being a game tester.
In 2015, I joined the 1st Pixelles Game Writing Group, a self-directed program for marginalized voices to further improve my portfolio. I met incredible creatives along the way while working as a Legal Coordinator for the Narrative Team on Watch Dogs 2 at Ubisoft.
Just as I finished working on the game’s DLCs, there was an opening on Far Cry 5. One writing test and one internal interview later, I got my start as a Scriptwriter.
This was no easy route, of that much I’m sure, but I learned a lot about production pipelines and the various relationships between departments to produce AAA titles.
What was the first piece of writing you published?
In Grade 9, I wrote a poem for French class. I don’t remember much, but I think it was about typical teenage existential angst. It turned out this poem wasn’t so typical because my teacher liked it so much, she made a photocopy and put it on display behind glass in the hall, near the school’s office.
I had a small audience, but I’d say that was the first time I got published.
What have you learned as a game writer?
In terms of the craft, I’ve learned to iterate quickly and write economically, and somehow without burning myself out.
I’ve also learned to “let go” of my writing, to put some distance between me and my work once I’m done investing myself through all the iterations. I can still be proud of my work, but I have to move on to the next task. Once I’m done writing for a particular game, my work doesn’t belong to me anymore; it belongs to the gaming community.
I also learned to collaborate with others, and to carve out “alone time” to get the writing done. It’s necessary to switch back and forth between the two throughout the work week, and sometimes when I least expect it.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak English, conversational French, and some Vietnamese.
Unfortunately, I forgot most of what I learned from Italian and Japanese classes for beginners.
How many countries have you visited?
Only 10, and counting. I’ve go the travel bug.
Favourite movies?
Oblivion, Inception, Minority Report, Blade Runner, and the John Wick films.
I’ll also watch nearly anything with martial arts.
Addendum: Paterson is amazing.
What kind of games do you like to play?
In my spare time, I tend to gravitate towards cozy games, city builders, management games, and some RPGs (role-playing games).
I’ve also made levels for fun using Super Dungeon Maker.
What’s the most influential video game you’ve played?
Pokémon Red and Pokémon Yellow.
I was 10 years old when I played these on my second-hand original Game Boy. On the bus on the way to school, I’d sit at the back with other “Pokemon trainers” and we’d trade Pokémon by linking up our game boys with this unwieldy cable.
It didn’t matter if the other “trainers” were dudes in Grade 5 or 6. We all liked playing Pokémon and that was all that mattered.
On the bus on the way home, I couldn’t wait to catch the next episode of Pokémon on YTV. Those were the good old days.
Last Dungeons and Dragons character?
Half-Orc Paladin, Oath of the Ancients, but certain combat outcomes tell my Lawful Neutral character that she's better off as an Oathbreaker. The dark side can be tempting...
Zodiac sign?
Sagittarius.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Maybe a singer-songwriter, a bard of some sort, but I don’t pick up my guitar much anymore. I’d still be some sort of writer, though.