Bootcamp Survivor 2024

May has been spent writing every day as part of the amazing Write Magic Bootcamp. A group of fifty writers all commit to setting and reaching a daily word count target for May. This is my second Bootcamp and I find being accountable to other authors and joining in the daily tasks a lot of fun. It is also really productive. So much so as a result I have now completed the first draft of my next book which I am writing with and for my fantastic daughter Sasha.

Writing every day is not my usual format and I did find that the biggest challenge. I'm a 'fits and spurts' writer, which means I write for quite long periods of time or not at all. I am usually, however, doing something or other to do with writing, whether that's school visits, or research, or writing articles, or reading, there are all kinds of other parts to the job than just getting words down.  

The next stage, now that Sasha has read and commented on the draft, is to make all her suggested changes. I'm then, hoping to work with a couple of local school kids to make sure I'm being accurate and then it will go out to close writing friends for feedback. This means the book will probably be on its fourth draft before I feel it is ready to share with my agent. It will happen though! 

I've also been going to a lot of book launches and celebration events recently. It is so wonderful to champion other authors, particularly if they are friends who have shared this up and down journey with me. 

More book news soon, but please do get in touch if you're in or near Reading as I will be there for a few days in July and would love to meet you!