I realise I’ve been a bit lacking in terms of website posts this month. That’s not because I’ve not been busy working on my books, but rather because I am the middle of two (potentially three) projects, but haven’t hit a significant milestone – for example, completion of first draft; completion of illustrations; completion of layout; signing of a six-figure publishing deal – for either (or, indeed, any) of them.

But as none of those milestones is in sight at the moment, I thought I’d just give you an update of where I’m at:

Project number one: this is my first attempt at a picture book without rhyme.

Avid readers of this blog (and they are legion) will remember I introduced the prototype illustrations for the three main characters – Jamie, Billy and Grandad – back in March.

Well I have now done 16 of the 29 pages of illustration and as soon as I finish this blog, will be cracking on with the 17th. My plan is to focus on this book now so that it is ready for publication and, (who knows?) possibly even published, before the start of the school hols.

Once I have completed the illustrations, I will need to take another close look at the words. I am finding it far harder to write in prose than rhyme: when you write a rhyming couplet, you instantly know whether it works or not; with prose, it’s far more subjective. And I keep changing my mind.

Project number two: this is my sequel to Isabella, Rotten Speller.

I am at the early stages of writing the first draft at the moment. Having just said that rhyming text is easier, I must say that the couplets aren’t exactly flying out the end of my pencil at the moment. (Yes, I am a Luddite. Yes, I do like to write with a pencil.)

My plan is to give this project a bit of quality time over the next few weeks, with a view  to having the first draft completed by the summer hols. I have some decisions to make about the way I’m going to illustrate this one – if I follow the same process I used for Isabella, you can eagerly anticipate publication some time in 2018.

Project number three: Mmmm. This is the first book I wrote and illustrated, back in 2011, and I still can’t decide whether or not to publish it. If I do, some of the illustrations may need reworking – not to mention the title: The Boy Who Snatched His Friend’s Balloon… ? Decisions, decisions.

Well that, as promised, is where I’m at. I’ll try not to leave it so long next time.