I enjoyed speaking to the Bembridge branch of the WI last night. The subject of the talk was ‘Peta Rainford’s Books: the story so far!’

Having done several school and library visits over recent months, this was my first talk to a group where the average age was (ever so slightly) over nine!

I found the whole process a very positive one. Preparing the talk forced me to break from working on my next book and made me consider a number of very basic questions like:

• where do I get my ideas from?
• how has my illustration style developed? and (the big one)
• what next?

I suspect some of my answers were more coherent than others, but it is always good to take a step back from what you are doing and get a little perspective.

Thank you, Bembridge WI, for inviting me to talk and being an engaged and inquiring audience and good luck to those of you considering, or already engaged in, this book-writing lark for yourselves.