Why Dear Arlo?

Why not? I got such immense value from committing the start of my parenting journey to paper that it seemed a shame to stop, and I didn't really have a reason to do so ­– apart from feeling the effects of sleep deprivation due to looking after a newborn baby.

Dear Dory was about pregnancy, and it always felt to me that that book was a prelude to the main story of parenthood, and that's what I wanted – and still want – to capture. Also, you have to remember that I don't just write these books for other readers; I write them for myself and my family, so there were personal reasons for me to keep going outside of furthering my career as an author.

When is Dear Arlo set?

It starts minutes after Dear Dory ends. It's a true continuation of the story.

How does Dear Arlo compare with your first book, Dear Dory?

There are fewer 'what if?' chapters – reflections on life, the present and the future. Also, I don't go digging around in the past as much to review old memories and experiences, re-examining them to see if they have anything left to teach me. Dear Arlo is more a reflection of the day-to-day struggles of me and my partner, finding our feet as new parents and raising a baby amid a global pandemic.

Was there anything different about your writing process this time around?

Not really, but it's been a bit more refined. For Dear Dory, drafts two and three were brutal, painstaking work. I had to tidy up virtually every sentence because I'd never written a book before, and I was learning on the job. I'm still learning, but I found the rewriting process for Dear Arlo slightly less of a slog – but a slog, nonetheless. All writing is.

Fortunately, I have a phenomenal team. The copy editors I work with are outstanding. Test-reader feedback was just as important this time around as it was for Dear Dory. I got some great notes for Dear Arlo. One friend, in particular, didn't say one single thing that he liked about the book; instead, he sent me a long list of constructive notes – and they were 90 per cent spot on. Some people hate constructive feedback, but I relish it. I love it when someone says an area can be improved because if I agree with the note, then I immediately know that the book has just got a little bit better because of it. It may be my name that is on the book, but Dear Arlo is the collective wisdom and combined efforts of many individuals. No one achieves in isolation, and I had a lot of help and support.

What's next?

I'm almost done with the first draft of book three, Toddler Inc. It's been by far the most enjoyable to write in the series, and I can't wait to share it with everyone. Toddlers make extraordinary subject matter. I plan to try and get that book into reasonably good shape by the end of the year – good enough at least to let the copy editors take a look at it. And then, in 2022, I'll write book four in the Adventures in Dadding series, and also aim to have a close-to-complete first draft of my first foray into the world of fiction. I've got what I believe to be a great idea. But the story is massive. If I'm lucky, it will span multiple books, so I'm doing a lot of heavy lifting up front, developing many of the storylines and character arcs that will span several books. I still want to return to my screenplays and start shopping them around, but I don't think I'll have time next year. Maybe in 2023. 

Any final words?

Just a huge thank you to anyone who checks out Dear Arlo – I really hope you have a blast! Please let me know what you think. Readers can buy it from Amazon here or use this link for other retailers.