Children enjoy books with word play, and they are just as much fun to write.
I'm about a fifth of the way through the rewrite of my new book, The Fabulous Phibeas Finn. I've found it incredibly hard to get into this rewrite, partly because I had so much fun writing the first draft that I'm afraid of spoiling the magic.
But the editor is gnashing her teeth and growling, the illustrator is about to start work, and I have to finish by mid April so it can go to the Afrikaans translator.
The rewrite involves cutting the superfluous material, and expanding what has been understated. And 'decorating' the story.
I needed a title for a recipe book. When I was a kid my mother cooked from a book called 366 Cakes Puddings and Desserts. (Those were the days when mothers made a dessert every night).
I thought of using that, but then I found Donna Diegel's Delicious recipes in Baking.
Her name is so delectable and Donna Diegel's Delicious Desserts has a lovely ring to it, so its gone in, with her permission of course. And as she says, when the book comes out there'll be cupcakes all round.
