Update (October 2020)

Hello, readers once again. I wanted to post something on this site, but recently, I'd been busy with work and uni work and other things. However, I want to let you know I'm still here and alive.

Earlier last month, I submitted my final dissertation. For those who don't know, I've been studying a Master's in Creative Writing at one of the Universities in Leicester. My dissertation was a screenplay for a feature film aimed at family audiences including children. I first wrote this script a few years ago and it was inspired by the impact Brexit had on the United Kingdom. I also took inspiration from game shows and family movies I grew up with such as Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. More on that will be covered in another post, but I want to thank the uni staff for providing me sources of inspiration and valuable writing tips. I feel that there's something I can take from this course.

I won't lie. Because of the lockdown, the last few months of my studies have been very stressful. The only symptoms I experienced were anxiety, stress, loneliness, and lack of motivation. What usually motivates me to write, and I'm sure many other writers would agree, is having the right to go out and visit places without any restrictions. As for motivation in general, what kept me motivated was to right to frequently visit friends and harmlessly socialise no matter how close we were and how many we met. Hugs and handshakes were another valuable part of my motivated life and I personally could've done with some especially after losing my girlfriend.

And speaking about my girlfriend, she hasn't died which is something to be thankful for. She actually went back to her home country (China). Not only was Brexit a huge threat to her residence. But put it this way, considering that one's girlfriend is from overseas and is not a UK resident, that still shouldn't be a problem. In addition, nobody, not even one's family, should have the right to force them to come back to the country. Before I met this girlfriend of mine, I had a lot of trouble trying to find one, to share a spiritual connection, to help each other achieve our life-long goals i.e. getting married and having children. We still called each other now and then, but it hasn't been the same. We had this statement; "we're in this together" shoved right down our throats. But try saying that to a boyfriend and girlfriend who are not even in the same place.

I understand that what you're seeing on this post looks personal, but honesty is the best policy. I, like so many people, am wishing for an end to this lockdown and for normal lives to return. The government says it'll rid the virus. Over six months and it has not. The deaths and cases still rise. I know there's another way other than being locked-down to solve this crisis. The fact is, I won't give up developing my writing career. Writing scripts is what I was born to do. By the time the lockdown's over with, I'll be spending more time away from home.

As Van Morrison put it through his recent song, Born To Be Free, the "new normal" is not normal. And rightly so.

In the meantime, I do intend to post more articles on a regular basis. Most of them will relate to writing, projects, influences, and so forth. When they come out will depend on how often I'm working and other things.

Thanks for reading.