Ask the Author: Peter Kozmar
Answered Questions (8)
Peter Kozmar
Hi Fred,
Yes. I've finished 'Revolution' (Book 6 in the main series) which is set in the US. It's in the process of plot review and then goes for editing. Revolution did take longer to write than I expected.
Yes. I've finished 'Revolution' (Book 6 in the main series) which is set in the US. It's in the process of plot review and then goes for editing. Revolution did take longer to write than I expected.
Peter Kozmar
There are many. One is what happened to a friend who disappeared? He wasn't abducted, he just didn't want to be found. Why did he do it? What is his current life like? Do the people in his current life know about his past?
Peter Kozmar
This is a great question. The first thing is that I'm a plotter, not a pantser in my approach to writing so I have a clear idea where the story is headed. It may have a few detours along the way, but overall I have enough so I don't get to a full stop and stop.
However, when I do find that words are a struggle to get onto paper, I tend to reflect on it and ask "Is the story crap? Has it lost its energy? If I'm struggling to write it, how on earth will my readers stay awake?" Then I'll make some changes which tends to re-energize me and the words flow again.
However, when I do find that words are a struggle to get onto paper, I tend to reflect on it and ask "Is the story crap? Has it lost its energy? If I'm struggling to write it, how on earth will my readers stay awake?" Then I'll make some changes which tends to re-energize me and the words flow again.
Peter Kozmar
I'm new to publishing my writing and for me its been about therapy following an accident which left me unable to be as active as I was. Writing has taught me new skills and helped me sit still and resist the urge to aggravate my injury or get depressed.
The flexibility around the idea of being able to work from anywhere, really appeals to me.
The flexibility around the idea of being able to work from anywhere, really appeals to me.
Peter Kozmar
Understand what your own motives are for writing. What do you want to achieve? Once you understand this, you can then define what 'Success' looks like for you. Everyone is different.
Also, have realistic expectations and don't expect to be an overnight phenomenon. It takes time to improve your writing, build your audience and find your voice. Very few writers achieve this with their first book, but for those who do, it's only after a lot of hard work behind the scenes and they have something which captures the popular imagination.
Set dedicated time aside to write. You need output and lots of it. A 90,000 word novel will take 180 days to create your first draft if you write 500 words per day. Then add review time, re-drafting, Beta Readers, fine tuning, cover design and launch strategy and that's a year.
Also, have realistic expectations and don't expect to be an overnight phenomenon. It takes time to improve your writing, build your audience and find your voice. Very few writers achieve this with their first book, but for those who do, it's only after a lot of hard work behind the scenes and they have something which captures the popular imagination.
Set dedicated time aside to write. You need output and lots of it. A 90,000 word novel will take 180 days to create your first draft if you write 500 words per day. Then add review time, re-drafting, Beta Readers, fine tuning, cover design and launch strategy and that's a year.
Peter Kozmar
I'm just going through the first draft of 'Zero Trust' which I finished writing at the end of December. I'm waiting for the edits to come in for 'The Makarov File' which I'm planning to release on 29th February. I'll next be working on the plot for the story after 'Zero Trust'. While I have the plot and outline. I did this some months ago and want to razz it up to another level so you have a real roller coaster of a ride. I think if I started writing it today, it would be good, but I want you gripped.
Peter Kozmar
I'm an active person who can't sit still and had a skiing accident. This meant I couldn't get out and it gave me a heap of sitting still time. So I decided to take up writing (after all we all have at least one story within us trying to escape). I found it occupied me, distracted me from my injury and probably saved me from going into a depression.
It's been great therapy for me. I've also learnt new skills and had to wear "grown-up pants" when I receive feedback which may not be what I want to hear, but need to hear in order to improve my story's and make them even better for my readers.
It's been great therapy for me. I've also learnt new skills and had to wear "grown-up pants" when I receive feedback which may not be what I want to hear, but need to hear in order to improve my story's and make them even better for my readers.
Peter Kozmar
I'd never intended to write Defector or Double Cross. But as a new writer, I needed to write a novella which could be relatively quickly written and released at a low price point. The story idea came about from some of my own dealings in Moscow back then, however, nothing on that scale. I massively amplified those and added a twist or two as to what happened and included the conflict with the local mafia (who were around back then too!).
I really enjoyed writing Defector as there are multiple threads which come together at the end. Plus we are introduced to a number of characters who we'll meet again.
I really enjoyed writing Defector as there are multiple threads which come together at the end. Plus we are introduced to a number of characters who we'll meet again.
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