Writing a book

And pausing Wild Way newsletters for a few weeks

Reading with a coffee Chris had got me on a recent trip to Whitby with friends

I’m about to hand in the first draft manuscript for my fourth big gardening book. It’s a funny old experience writing a book, I love the process from imagining different ideas through to settling on the right one. I enjoy making gardening books that go beyond how to’s, that are primarily inspirational tips but have a bigger contribution to make.

I know how smart readers are, seeing the bigger picture. Which makes my job about rising to that by offering advanced content for experienced gardeners but in a way that anyone could plant that seed for the first time too. Helping people go from no experience straight into advanced gardening ideas feels right to me.

Wild about Weeds flips wildflowers and ornamental gardening on its head, A Greener Life is a broad reimagining of food growing and garden design from a wildlife friendly perspective. My new Wild Way short story Stolen Reality zooms out to look at our universe’s timeline and how we evolved to reach today’s gardens.

The big book I’m working on now I’d say is even more important than any of these and I can’t wait for the moment I can discuss it with you in 2026. Right now I’m at the point where all of the ideas I’ve had for years are written and I need to tie them all together.

Culminating in the final few weeks when all of those years of thinking swirl around my head until it’s all I can think of. It’s a beautiful and important moment of creativity that requires space and the right mindset. Mood and mindset I’ve found set the tone of my writing.

For me that total immersion is true of anything I create, from writing to gardens and painting. If I am not fully immersed I know it is unlikely to be the best it can be. That I can’t give everything to it.

My mum and dad visiting an art exhibition my abstract landscapes were included in

I had blocked out August to enjoy this moment with my new book coming to life but as is often the case, I have had a massive pile up of “life” all at once. I took part in a beautiful art exhibition that my parents came along to but unfortunately a few weeks later my dad is currently in hospital.

Right now I need to try and reduce down my work to finish the book and visit my dad in North Yorkshire so I’ve paused garden design projects and I’ve taken the hard decision to also pause Wild Way newsletters for a few weeks. Pausing the Wild Way means paid subscriptions are extended by that time, so you are not charged for the weeks without newsletters.

Take care everyone and I’ll look forward to emailing you all again very soon.

Lots of love,