About Peter Stevens:
Pete Stevens was born and raised in Ilford, Essex. After taking his A levels at the local Grammar School he took a degree in Business Studies at what is now Middlesex University. He spent thirty years in the Careers Service, eighteen of which were as head of The service in Barnet. He took up writing on his retirement at fifty-five, combining his love of History and his enjoyment of murder mysteries in his first book (shortly to be released) “A Dickens Of A Murder” and in his collaboration with his old friend Ian Honeysett, on the French Revolutionary “Bastille” murder stories. Pete lives in Walthamstow with his partner, Liz. He has had a lie-long interest in cricket, playing into his sixties, is a good chess player and a keen interest in the Arts, Theatre and Music.
What inspires you to write?
A combination of a wish to create, to entertain and to get my ideas over to as many people as possible. The idea of creating puzzles that are both fair and difficult to solve, particularly appeals as does the concept of bringing the past to life.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m probably a combination of both, as I suspect many writers are. I find plot-forming one of the most enjoyable aspects of writing and I like to have a proposed outline of the story ready before I actually start writing. Having said that both the characters and the plot line can easily assume a life of their own and you have to adjust. Your original plot line cannot be a straight-jacket. When writing with another author this becomes even more the case. You must be ready to listen to your partner’s ideas!
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I wouldn’t say interact as such, but you do ask yourself how they would react in certain situations. As I write historical murder fiction and use real, famous characters (eg Charles Dickens, Willkie Collins, George Danton and Mirabeau) I am aware that I can be a hostage to fortune. Other people with a real interest in these people and their times may or may not like my interpretation of their times and actions.
What advice would you give other writers?
Only do it if you can give a great deal of time and energy. I only really found that I had enough when I had retired- and, significantly, had enough money to live comfortably whether I was selling books or not. Only write if you really enjoy it. Equally choose a subject matter that really interest you and where you possess real knowledge.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
We chose E publishing because we knew it could be done. So have thousands of other authors! E publishing has boomed over the last five years but I am aware that a lot of my friends do not possess a kindle. We would love to get into the print market as well.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Not sure!! I’m no expert but I think that it will probably be a combination of print and E books. A number of people have kindles and other methods of reading on-line but a lot also like the tradition of hard copies and possessing their own library!
What do you use?: Co-writer, Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: So far- historical murder fiction (albeit with real characters included)
What formats are your books in?: eBook
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