After finishing A Year in the Lake District, I somehow found myself diving straight into another adventure… and Ted and the Wainwrights was born.
It’s funny how the process works. Sometimes a book can take me ages to get going, like trying to climb a fell in thick fog… slow, uncertain, lots of stopping and starting. But then there are those moments when everything just clicks into place. The poems seem to tumble out so easily, like they’ve been waiting patiently all along.
The part that takes the most time? The illustrations. Always the illustrations.
I can spend hours (and hours!) tweaking, adjusting, and trying to get everything just right. Ted has to look exactly like Ted, the backgrounds have to feel just right, and every page has to feel like a little piece of the Lakes.
Both books are now live on Amazon, which still feels a bit surreal to say out loud. I’ve also started listing a few physical copies over on Etsy to see how that goes… a little experiment alongside everything else.
But the biggest step is happening this weekend.
I’m taking both books into a local bookshop.
Even writing that makes my stomach do a tiny somersault.
Family and friends have been incredible, so supportive and kind about everything I’ve created. But this feels different. This is me gently placing my books out into the world and saying, “Here they are.” It’s exciting… and a little bit terrifying all at once.
Maybe I’m leaping before I feel completely ready.
Maybe that’s exactly what I’m supposed to do.
We’ll see.
This week has been a slower one in other ways. I’ve been feeling under the weather, which has meant extra sofa time, lots of tea, and plenty of cuddles with Ted.
But even then, I can’t seem to switch my brain off.
Somewhere between cups of tea and dog snuggles, I still find myself reaching for my tablet… sketching ideas, playing with layouts, and quietly starting the next little adventure.
Because once Ted starts exploring, he doesn’t really stop.
And maybe neither do I.