You all know that my other job is walking dogs, right? Well did you know that for some time now, I've been trying to combine the two things?
This is Woody, one my lovely dogs (I walk seven different dogs, all wonderfully unique). Woody is a chocolate cocker-spaniel who LOVES to play ball.
All dogs have something special about them, something that makes them who they are and I hope to encapsulate that in a series of picture books inspired by the dogs I walk. 
I'm introducing you to Woody as one of the first stories I'm working on is based on him. I'm making some changes for the sake of the story - Woody is becoming Coco the Cocker-Spaniel, but she is very similar to Woody; a sweet-natured dog obsessed with her ball.
It's such a fun thing to write, and a great distraction from the LONG teenage book I am drafting.
Picture books are a totally different craft. It's very challenging to write something super short that has to convey so much.
Fingers crossed that I get it right and can create a story for all my dogs and many more.
I can't wait to share them with the world, because...I LOVE DOGS!

As I continue with my 'dirty draft' (this is another term for first draft. It allows us writers to give ourselves permission to just write, without worrying too much about the quality of what we are producing. The dirty draft is so that we have a bulk of words to edit and work with rather than just blank screens) I am beginning to realise...

This is NOT a romance I am writing, it's a love story. 

The difference was pointed out to me by one of my SCBWI writing friends, Kitty Kettle. With a romance we only ever hear from our protagonist. This allows the reader to fall in love at the same time the protagonist does. Think Judy Bloom. With a love story the reader is invested in the romance of the relationship itself. Think Eleanor & Park, or Indigo Donut.

Make sense? Well it does to me. 

Anyway, ploughing on with For The Love Of Lambs. I'm about three quarters the way through - the finish line (for the dirty draft) is in sight. 

These books don't just magically appear you know - blood, sweat and tears - that's what it takes. Onwards!

I'm quiet because I'm busy writing. I'm about a third the way into my first draft Shhhhhh please everyone!

It feels like it has been a very long time since I've blogged about anything.

I've been on a Lockdown Lambing adventure. Essential research for my brand new project - a teenage romance! I've not written a YA before, so this is way out of my comfort zone and I'm getting quite excited about starting to write.

Every book I write is a completely different process. At the moment I'm doing lots of reading and watching of anything teenage romance related. I'm also benefitting from all the free online advice and workshops that are being posted up by the writing community.

Everything is turning around in my head and I'm making notes as I go. All I've got so far are my two main characters and the setting. I also know the time frame.

I'm quite enjoying this stage. It feels like a lump of clay I have ready to shape. I know I need to create a pot, but I have no idea of the size, shape, pattern of what colours I might paint it. 

How are you coping with #lockdown? Are you reading more? Below is a photograph of some of the books I have read, or are next on my reading pile. You may remember that I don't review books here but if I enjoy them I usually write up what I thought on Goodreads. If you follow me on there you can read all my reviews. 

Happy reading!

We've reached the end! It's been an absolute pleasure to record these daily readings and I do hope there are some of you out there who have enjoyed watching and following the story. I wish you all the best in these strange, scary times. See you on the other side. Stay safe and be kind. 

This is the penultimate chapter. All the pieces are fitting together and we find out what effect the three children have had on the real world as Jayden wakes up.