About Michael Pepper:
Michael Pepper, a native of Lincolnwood, Illinois, grew up in a vibrant community that fostered his love for learning, the arts, and strong family connections. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in architecture and urban planning, he embarked on a career shaping skylines, specializing in the design, development, and construction of tall buildings. As principal of Pepper Development Services, his work has taken him across the globe, collaborating with architects and engineers to bring ambitious visions to life. He has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at Kellogg and Booth Graduate Schools of Business. Beyond his professional achievements, he takes pride in raising three remarkable daughters and cherishes the lasting impact of his time with Elizabeth Lourie, as recounted in "Royal Edge".
What inspires you to write?
I was inspired to write Royal Edge almost fifty years after I experienced it. I would be on long hikes with my three young daughters.
I began telling them stories about a unique friendship I had with an aging royal countess, named Ella, upon my graduation from Princeton.
Although graduation was a significant milestone for me it also subjected me to the Vietnam draft lottery. At times the hikes were difficult
and yet my daughters would often ask me to tell them more about my time with Ella. My inspiration to write the book came with my wanting
to share what I had learned from Ella about how one can live a royal life, even in challenging times without actually being royal.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I have many. To name a few I have always enjoyed Fitzgerald and Hemingway, Verne and Michener.
Tell us about your writing process.
When on hikes alone I would record my recollections of time spent with Ella. There is something about being out in nature for long hours
that helped me recall the many reasons why Ella has remained my muse throughout my life. I organized the tapes into a telling and over time
I recreated this very influential period of my life.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
That is an interesting question. I remember many things about Ella. There were significant stories of course. I also remembered her unique accent
and her way of saying things. I remember the clothes she wore and the food and wine we would enjoy during the nine months I had a room in the house
where she lived on Linden Lane. I especially recall her facial expressions, laughter and amazing story telling.
What advice would you give other writers?
I would say to think about why they want to share the story and also to think about who the likely audience is.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I believed I had a good message and I wanted to share it with others.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Ah, there is so much out there about AI and how computers will lead the way on writing. However, I believe that science is not yet in a position to
replace the telling of a truly human experience
What genres do you write?: Memoir
What formats are your books in?: Print
Website(s)
Michael Pepper Home Page Link
Link To Michael Pepper Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
