I sat down at my desk today with low expectations. We had friends staying over the weekend and lots of late nights. Plus Amy (my 5 year old) decided to jump on top of me at 5am. But I made myself get on with it and I’m delighted – 1,648 words. Book 9 – working title Plastic Fantastic – is now almost finished. 4 or 5 more chapters to go I think.

It’s a strange feeling coming towards the end of a book. You’ve been living with the characters for so long – almost a year in this book’s case – and it’s hard to let go. I’ve grown so fond of Libby, Celeste, Alex, Leo and Lulabelle, despite their (many!) flaws.

Once I have the first draft finished then I’ll put it aside for a while, print the whole manuscript out, and then edit and re-write it which can take a couple of weeks. Phew, almost there. Book 9 . . .

Happy St Patrick’s Day tomorrow.

Sarah X