Every writer has their own way of working. There is no right or wrong way. It’s a personal thing but however a writer does it – they spend many hours doing it.

The process I have developed over the last ten years is :
1. Plan
2. First Draft
3. Second Draft
4. Third Draft
If I’m really lucky, I then get the chance to work with a publisher to turn the book I have written, into the one they want to publish. Whoever knew I was going to be published in German first?

I didn’t used to plan my writing. I was so thrilled to have an idea that all I wanted to do was write it. I wrote four books that way. The first two had no ending. In book three, I didn’t introduce the baddies until the last chapter. No wonder it was so boring. By the time I had ‘finished’ book four I knew it was too thin but I didn’t know what to do about it. I even had an agent and an editor very keen on the idea but I hadn’t got a clue how to whip it into shape.
It suddenly dawned on me that I didn’t know how to construct a plot or a story. I only knew how to enjoy writing. Over the next two years, I taught myself plot, structure and planning and it changed my life forever.

Over the next few blog posts I am going to share my writing process with you, so get a hint of what it is like to write the way I do.

In my last blog post I claimed to do all my writing in libraries, Peckham Library being my favourite. That was true for about eight years, but that has all changed now. 

This is my new writing companion, Mickey. He is a rescue dog and is about two years old. He appears to be a collie/lurcher cross which means he is always into mischief, loves chasing things and is very fast. Sometimes he is a distraction, but mostly he is a lovely friend who nags me when I don’t get enough exercise.

So now I have to stay home and keep him company while I work. Although he can be a very harsh critic when he gets his paws on my manuscript.

For me, good writing is all about a good writing habit. Routine is very important. I like to go swimming in the morning then I head for the library which is right next door to the swimming pool.
I need to write a chapter to feel that I’ve achieved something. That’s about 1,500 words if I’m in first draft mode. I write long hand, in fountain pen, first but always type up what I’ve written before I go home.
Writing a novel is all about re-writing and editing your work. When I’m editing the word count doesn’t mean much, it’s the number of hours that count. I like to stay in the library for between two and five hours. It’s normally hunger which drives me out.
I don’t have the internet on my laptop, but now I have a smart phone I tend to check my emails occasionally, especially if I’m waiting to hear from my agent. But I’ve taken Facebook off my phone and have given up Candy Crush Saga completely. As I keep reminding myself – I’ve got a book to write!

It took thirty years, but my first book has finally arrived in the world. 

Hilfe ich bin ein Alien was translated and published by German publishers Coppenrath in June 2014. 

They have made a truly beautiful book, with illustrations by Der Anton. Even the endpapers are lush. But you’ll have to buy a copy to see for yourself!

Needless to say, having waited for 30 years, I had a massive party to celebrate. What are the essential elements of a British Garden Party? Rain, of course! Not enough to spoil the day, but enough to make it a truly British affair.

Between the raindrops, a huge gathering of friends – writers and non-writers – drank Pimms, Prosecco and tea, and ate cake. 

My book cover was so brilliant I had it made into a cake.

I was thoroughly spoiled with flowers and gifts and great company. Thanks everyone for making my first book launch so special.

Like all writers, I am obsessed with stationery. Pens, notebooks, filing systems. I have them all and when something new comes out, I have to buy it. 
Some stationery is beautiful like these rubbers which I don’t want to spoil by using.

Other stationery is practical like this pencil case which opens up into a pen stand when I am at the library. Just enough for the essentials. Compact and cool.

All these items are available from www.bureaudirect.co.uk my current favourite stationers. Do check them out for more awesomeness and let me know what your favourite stationery items are.

One of the great things about being an author is meeting other authors. I have made many wonderful friends along the way. We commiserate when it all goes wrong and celebrate the good times together.

This week was a celebratory one as I was invited to three book launches.
Stuffed by Miriam Halahmy
Banished by Liz de Jager
Girl With a White Dog by Anne Booth

I wasn’t able to make it to Portsmouth to see Miriam but we have a date lined up for a celebration in the near future and I can’t wait to read ‘Stuffed’ the final book in her Hayling cycle. Miriam binds contemporary issues into gripping narratives of friendship and self discovery like no one else.

Liz’s launch was held at Foyles, Charing Cross Road. It was buzzing with bloggers, authors, librarians and agents. Liz knows everyone! Or maybe everyone know’s Liz? Anyway I’m thrilled to know Liz and look forward to reading ‘Banished’.

Anne Booth and I share an agent, Anne Clark (the other Anne or ‘My Anne’ as I call her at home) and we both consider ourselves very lucky.

I think ‘Girl with a White Dog’ is going to do great things. On the surface a simple story, but with amazing hidden depths.
Jessie is struggling to make sense of the changing world around her. Gran’s dementia. Migrant workers hanging around at bus stops. A cousin who’s developed a mean streak. Yet through this delightful narrative Jessie, makes up her own mind about the world and the different people within it. It’s an amazing book full of real characters up against it in their own way but succeeding to do the best they can in difficult circumstances. You may have guessed I’ve finished it already. In fact I couldn’t put it down.
So congratulations to my three friends and anyone else who had a book launch this week. I’ve got another 6 months to go – can’t wait.

For most of my childhood I was lonely, bored and wanted to be part of something else. I lived a fantasy life in other people’s books, fell in love with characters and pined to be part of fictional families I read about. I made up stories and put myself in them. I didn’t write these stories down, but they played like a video in my head the whole time.

Then I discovered the poems of Sylvia Plath. I read her novel The Bell Jar and my life changed forever. Here was a woman, a girl, who was able to express the way she felt about her life in words AND she got recognition for it. She was a tortured soul, just like me, but she had become SOMEONE.

I’m really excited to be involved in the 21st Century Author program devised by the National Literacy Trust. They realise the power of author talks to inspire children to pick up a book and start reading.
They put together a program funded by the Arts Council to help new authors devise and deliver effective school visits. The training, delivered by Author Profile has been great. It’s been hilarious struggling alongside other authors to define ourselves as author performers.