BarryHutchison.com

I find myself sitting in the sunshine with half an hour to spare, and it feels like blog posting time.

The last week has been filled with writing, parents evenings, cinema visits and the purchasing of spectacles. And more writing.

Business first – I finished off the first draft of my top secret and unbelievably cool children’s novel for Egmont. Submitted it last night, so now have a tortous two weeks to wait for feedback.

I’m pleased with the draft, but that doesn’t stop a numb feeling of dread filling my very soul while awaiting Egmont’s notes. The same thing happened when I wrote the Beastly books. Fortunately there wasn’t much which needed changed with those, so hopefully this will be the same.

Next month I start another book for Egmont, which is part of a new series, but that’s even more top secret than this one, so I won’t be giving anything away until it’s due for publication (June 09, so be prepared for a long wait for information).

In a move which wouldn’t be out of place in the 1980s teatime gameshow, ‘Busman’s Holiiday’, I’ve decided to fill my two week break from writing with some more writing.

Instead of kids books I’m going to be concentrating on the much more grown up world of comics. I’ve been a comic fan since I was old enough to read (think Marvel and the like, not The Beano) and have always wanted to write for them. Last week I knocked together the first three pages of a story featuring a character I created. So far the feedback it has received – including from professional writers and artists – has been incredible, so I’m going to take the next fortnight to write a complete 22 page comic script using the character.

I’ve also had a sitcom idea, so I need to get that written some point, too.

Anyway, I took a day off from writing last week and went to see the new Indiana Jones film. It was all right.  Not brilliant, but not The Phantom Menace I feared it was going to be. Indy looks old and tired for the first ten minutes, and there’s a ludicrous scene involving swinging through the jungle, but other than that it’s pretty good.

I also got new glasses. Two pairs. God bless buy one get one free. One pair looks much like my last pair, but the other is a big change for me. They’ve got thick, black plastic frames, and really bring out my inner nerd. I’m still undecided on them, but I’m wearing them now, so evidently I don’t hate them. Yet.

Oh, and I quickly put together a sketch for the DumbFUNDED competition. I’ll post a link to their site later when I’m not writing on a tiny screen a fold-up keyboard.