The brief for this project was to inspire young girls to consider engineering or science based careers. WISE were looking for a script for a graphic novel to explain engineering jobs (with pictures). However, having spent time with focus groups and young people I better understood their needs and outlook. They needed something entertaining and creative that 'spoke' in their language. Not wanting to preach and because I wanted a subtle message i chose an exciting adventure story.
'Postcards from the Future' is story about a school girl who receives postcards from her future self asking for help in the future. Maya, our heroine, travels into many futures; all of them her own possible ones (presenting the many opportunities available to her if she so chooses). She meets her future self, who is doing amazing things but it is up to Maya to decide in the present how the future turns out and not let her current doubts jeopardise it.
I was highly commended by The Princess Royal HRH at The Wise Awards 2010. I told her I had always wanted to be a princess in my future; She told me to stick to the writing! The Postcards from the Future book is distributed through UK schools, it is the first graphic novel targeted at teenage girls within British Schools.
