I'm writing a book! - andrew barton

Andrew Barton reveals that he is working on an exciting new project and he also has a useful piece of advice for any budding hairdressers.

"In my last update I was talking about seizing opportunities that present themselves and the latest opportunity to come my way is a book deal! I can't tell you much apart from that I have a pending deadline with my publisher and it is all very exciting!

"It is challenging me to think a little more laterally, but it's great because it starts you thinking about other things and, while I have been writing it, I have had another notebook that I have been jotting down ideas in.

"The notebook is an absolute necessity for every ambitious hairdresser - even in this digital age when we all have blackberries and camera phones and the like.

"I have mine with me all the time; including beside my bed for when I wake up thinking in the night and find that it helps me to relax. I even take it to the gym with me!

"I write down absolutely everything that might inspire me, from a colour in nature to a shape or texture to a news article or just a fleeting thought I have. It has certainly helped me down the years and it has formed the Andrew Barton library that is a 10 year archive of my notebooks.

"Looking back through old notebooks can be a real source of inspiration; sometimes I see something written down that sparked an idea five years ago and it conjures up a whole new thought process.

"I did take a brief time out from the book for a little soirée for Debenhams and their Designers at Debenhams collection, because I am going to be doing some work with them later in the year. It was good to meet the designers and it will be an interesting project to work on.

"I am also anxiously waiting to hear whether I have been nominated for the British Hairdresser of the Year. You usually get the call at the beginning of June, so there are still a couple of weeks, but I might not have any fingernails left by then..."

Keep logging on to HJi for details of the British Hairdresser of the Year nominees...