PLEASE HOLD...

It's mid-February and this will be my first blog of the year... and sadly it will also likely be my last. After thirteen years of documenting my journey as a screenwriter, I've decided to hang up my blog, my Twitter account and my Facebook page to focus on my writing.

The last few weeks I've had my head buried in a commissioned rewrite of a feature film due to shoot later this year. It left me with very little time for anything else and I came to realise that even if I did carry on with my blog I wouldn't be able to devote the time to it to do it justice.

After thirteen years it's also very difficult to come up with new content every Wednesday without rehashing old information and I'd rather not waffle on and bore you all to death. Besides, I no longer believe you need to maintain multiple social media accounts to have a successful screenwriting career. It's better to stay in touch with people via old fashioned email or by picking up the phone and actually talking to someone. It's more personal after all.

In recent months I've also become disillusioned with social media, especially Twitter. It's no longer the place that allows writers to pass on what they've learned to those following behind, or be supportive of like-minded people and happily share with and encouraged others. It has unfortunately devolved into a hotbed of hatred and has birthed a culture of people who prefer to shout down and ridicule those people whose opinions differ from theirs. It's not something I wish to be associated with.

I want to thank you all for your years of loyalty. It's been a pleasure and an honour to see you grow as writers and hear your success stories, and to know my posts have helped you along the way.

I won't be gone completely. You may see me around now and then, popping up to tell you what I'm working on and what I've loved on TV or in the cinema and who has inspired me and why, but the regular blogs and other social media output are being put on hold.

Happy writing!