About Peter John:
I was born in Bromley, Kent back in the early seventies. I spent most of my childhood riding bikes, playing tag and kicking tin cans around the street, unless there was an actual football to hand. At the age of fourteen I had a milestone experience. Prior to that I had never shown the slightest interest in writing, if I remember rightly I wanted to be an astronaut, but then I got put into detention one afternoon. I had failed to bring in my homework assignment and the teacher had punished me by forcing me to write a short story during the lunch time break. While all the other boys kicked tin cans around the playground, I was sat in a room on my own with a sandwich, a carton of Kia-Ora and an exercise book. I picked at the sandwich while staring at the blank pages in front of me and then it happened. All of a sudden a story formed in my head and I almost instinctively threw in down on the paper. 45 minutes passed in what felt like seconds and the short story which I had called ‘Thinking Crash’ was spread throughout the exercise book in my scruffy, barely coherent handwriting. I had never fallen into a story like that before, where my hand was struggling to keep up with my brain and I didn’t look up once from the pages until I heard the lunch bell ring. Ever since that day I have been hooked. I could have been circling the earth in a tin can and eating my dinner out of a tube if it wasn’t for that one stint in detention; I still like to consider it as a lucky escape.
What inspires you to write?
I gleam inspiration from the world around me. I find the eccentricities of reality a never ending source of amazement.
Tell us about your writing process.
I write when I can and if I can. I love a bit of peace and quiet but that can be hard to find on most days. My stories always start with the character, a general theme and a lot of brain storming. My structuring comes into play after two or three draft chapters, which I use to really get to know the main character.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I love the quote: “Writer’s block is when your imaginary friends stop talking to you.” I don’t really talk to my characters, but I often think what they would do in the situations I find myself.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep plugging away. Writing is not easy, if it was then everybody would be doing it. Draft your work as often as you can stand it, never look at you writing and think “It’ll do.” Stories evolve so never be afraid to go back and change things. If it’s wrong delete it, every word you write is either the right word or a learning experience.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
After trying to submit my work to traditional publishers I decided to go independent. To be honest, I don’t blame the publishers for not accepting my books. I was inexperienced and it showed in my work. I have learnt so much over the past few years and it has made me the writer I am today.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future is uncertain. With the ability to carry various games, movies, music and other forms of entertainment in a small package like a tablet, books are no longer the only portable window to other worlds. However, nothing else engages the mind like an enveloping story.
What do you use?: Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: My main novel is a paranormal comedy but I have written romance and horror short stories. I also dabble in poetry. I have plans to write a mystery in the future as well.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Peter John Home Page Link
Link To Peter John Page On Amazon
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