Well I finally ticked it off my list of things I've always wanted to do - I read at the Edinburgh Book Festival. As I sat in a tent on Charlotte Square with fellow writer Anthony Quinn and an attentive audience, even though the rumble of buses and sirens of ambulances threatened to drown us out, I felt very lucky indeed.

Writing is such a strange occupation: days spent plugged into the computer with almost no communication with anyone and then sporadic reading and signing where you have to be witty and erudite. But I loved it - I loved reading a passage, answering questions, signing books, meeting a girl who I was at school with who'd brought her book group, the whole thing. Next up is the Milngavie Book Festival where I'm reading with Janet Paisley who wrote White Rose Rebel

Anyway, I came down to earth again a few days later and am about to write an author's note for The Songwriter. And then what? I start research for the next book. Maybe a little shopping first. . .