There’s nothing like finally seeing your writing in the ‘final proofs’ stage. After months of writing, then months of editing, then more months of waiting, that little idea that formed in your head (months prior to the actual writing many months ago) suddenly appears before you fully formed and ready to venture out into the world. It’s very exciting and does not diminish with each new book. Right now, I’m looking at the final pages for Wild Ride, my new graphic novel coming out this fall from Orca Publishing.

Wild Ride is the graphic novel about wilderness survival and it was a lot of fun to write. It’s illustrated by Michael Deas, who has done a fantastic job with the characters and creates such lush wilderness settings with a cinematic flair, all the while managing to fit my (often too long) text into the panels – a skill every comic writer appreciates. I’m itching to show off some of the art, but not sure if I can, so no images just yet.

But that might change because I’ll be talking with the good folks from Orca when I head to the IRA Conference today. Now, coming from Northern Ireland and saying that you’re going to an IRA conference can cause a bit of confusion – but we’re talking books not bombs, so everyone relax. In addition to seeing what’s up in the world of literacy, I’ll also ask about showing off some of the art for Wild Ride.

Now, that we’re all updated on my movements for the day, I have got some writing to get back to. This morning it’s very exciting as I’m starting to pull together the threads of an idea that’s been knocking around my head for far too long. Don’t want to say much now, so give me a month or so. . .