Being my sixth year, I was kind of expecting this year's London Screenwriters' Festival to feel a bit samey - but it turned out to be my best one yet!

There isn't really anywhere else in the UK where writers, producers, directors and actors can all convene, network and meet like-minded people who are working in the creative industries. Over the past few days I've realised that LSF is absolutely essential to my career. Plus I get to spend a week with so many amazing writers who, over the years, I've come to call good friends. 

So, what else did I get up to, other than schmoozing.... 

On Thursday I took part in the Comedy Incubator Writers' Room which was run by comedy writer Jack Bernhardt. Jack mentored us on how to write topical comedy, something that I'd never really tried my hand at before so I wasn't sure if I'd be any good at it. But Jack showed us some really simple ways on how to break down news stories and elevate them into one liners and full sketches - which was loads of fun! 

I had a really successful Pitchfest this year, with seven script requests and two meetings arranged already for next week! It was wonderful to see so many execs excited about my work. On some level, I actually think I get a real kick out of pitching now (shhh!)

My Actors' Table Read was most enjoyable, as always. This year, my feature film 'Lola' was directed by Dom Lenoir and performed by actresses Georgina Blackledge (Lola) and Julia Tarnoky (Auntie Ann). They all did such a fab job with the dialogue and the session really helped me to pin down what I need to do with script rewrites - thanks guys!

Other stand out sessions across the weekend were from Scott Meyer from Go Into The Story and, of course, Pilar Alessandra, whose quick-fire brain always astounds me. The woman literally has the ability to fix a story in under five seconds! Amazing... We also got to watch a script to screen of Die Hard with its screenwriter Jeb Stuart - which was awesome fun!

Of course, a massive thanks goes out to the festival team and the volunteers who run the festival week so flawlessly. Especially Chris Jones, Judy Goldberg and Bob Shultz. 

After almost deciding that LSF 2017 would be my last one, I'm totally ready now to book for next year. Bring it on!! x