I am very pleased with myself this morning because I have ‘finished’ my third book! I put ‘finished’ in inverted commas because there will inevitably be a fair amount to tweaking between now and publication. But I do have words and illustrations on every page and have just put the ‘finishing touches’ (more inverted commas) to the front and back covers.

It has taken me the best part of two years to get the book to this stage – I just checked and I was working on the first layout back in May 2013, which means I started on the words some time before. There have been several versions since then.

I think of this book as my ‘concept album’, which probably translates as ‘a bit bonkers but a surprising amount of effort’. I just hope children get the ideas – and, more to the point, like them.

The concept behind the book (which I am keeping under wraps for now) has dictated a rather laborious approach to the illustrations. I think my mantra for the next book should be ‘sketchy and quick’, though I’m not sure I’m really the sketchy and quick type.

Anyway, book three is ‘done’ – and just in time to miss the Christmas rush. So the next step is to pack away my crayons, scoop up all the tiny bits of paper left over from my ‘cutting out’, and pack away the illustrations until after the festive period is over.

I will publish it in the new year – just not sure when.