After spending a few weeks on research and a couple of non-Saltbury writing chores, it’s time to settle down in earnest to writing the next Saltbury book, ‘History Girls’ and, as always, I run straight into the “Can I really do this?” panic. It happens every time. People tell me all creative people feel the same doubts. I have a number of brilliant songwriters as friends who I respect enormously, so maybe they might tell me if they do?

Because the Saltbury books have two different narrators (Hazel and Tina) with very different voices, my first job, once I have at least a rough story plan is to read the last book with that narrator to get back into that person’s way of thought/speaking. ‘History Girls’ will have Tina Burns narrating, but the last two, ‘Sisters’ and ‘Roisin’ (out late July) were Hazel, so it’s quite a switch. Tina’s last story was ‘Carol’, so I’ve been re-reading it. But I see the development and complex interlocking story arcs there and think “I’ll never manage that again.” This will be Saltbury book nine, and actually the 11th I’ve done because I have two more that I wrote out of sequence, so I guess I know I can do it. But it’s still the same fear every time.

Talking of different voices. I wrote a collection of Saltbury short stories about a year ago to explore some of my favourite minor characters in greater depth. It’s called ‘Saltbury Tales’ and it gave me a fun opportunity to have a number of new narration voices, from Carol Baxter, to Yvonne Wright, Rosie Drymen, Hazel Clearwater (Hazel Fauld’s godmother), Ruth Guptah and the wonderful Chantel Barham. I will publish them soon so you can see what you think. I even have a cover design. But I have to wait till one or two more things have happened in the main series, otherwise I’d give the game away.

Meanwhile, oh hell, am I really going to be able to write ‘History Girls’?