Dena Higley will join the writing team of ONE LIFE TO LIVE as headwriter, replacing Michael Malone as his commitment to the show comes to an end and he leaves to focus on his career as a novelist.

Higley, whose start date at OLTL will be announced in the coming weeks, has been on staff at DAYS OF OUR LIVES for the past 19 years, and served in the capacity of headwriter for a brief spell in 2003. Of her joining OLTL, she said in a statement, "I'm passionate about writing character-driven story, and that's what OLTL is all about. It's a very big change for me, and quite a challenge. But I'm looking forward to [it]. I hope to offer OLTL a fresh perspective, while at the same time remaining true to the show's illustrious history."

Regarding his departure, Malone says, "Llanview will always be one of my favorite fictional landscapes. I wish all who live there every good fortune."

Source: ABC Soaps in Depth (http://abc.soapsindepth.com)