Ask the Author: Peter St. John
Answered Questions (9)
Peter St. John
At least two: Alison Morton's recent release in her Roma Series, "Retalio", and Helen Hollick's "Pirates", to complement her rollicking Jack Sparrow books.
Peter St. John
Early in 1940, when the London orphanage where I was living was bombed, I was sent alone by train, like a parcel in the guard's van, with a label around my neck, to a mysterious destination. The destination turned out to be Leighton Buzzard, where the guard put me out on the station platform, before the train moved off again. There was nobody there to receive me, so I stayed on the platform, sheltering for the night in a chilly waiting room. With me was a paper carrier bag containing my sole remaining possessions: a spare shirt, a few biscuits, and a three-legged piggybank with two pennies inside.
In the morning, still nobody had come to claim me, so I broke the piggy bank and, with the two pennies, bought a sandwich for breakfast at the station kiosk. There, the lady behind the counter took pity on me and called somebody from the town hall to deal with my plight. After a few bewildering days in the town, I was moved on to another destination in Cornwall. I never did find out why I had been sent to Leighton Buzzard, or even really, by whom. The story, years later, of unravelling the mystery, might well make an interesting plot for a book.
In the morning, still nobody had come to claim me, so I broke the piggy bank and, with the two pennies, bought a sandwich for breakfast at the station kiosk. There, the lady behind the counter took pity on me and called somebody from the town hall to deal with my plight. After a few bewildering days in the town, I was moved on to another destination in Cornwall. I never did find out why I had been sent to Leighton Buzzard, or even really, by whom. The story, years later, of unravelling the mystery, might well make an interesting plot for a book.
Peter St. John
My favorite fictional couple must certainly be Jean (Jenno) Bryce, and her friend Peter, from the "Gang" series of books -- http://www.peterstjohn.net/.
This is because despite being in rival gangs, rather like Romeo and Juliet, and underneath their apparent squabbles, there is a genuine liking and admiration.
This is because despite being in rival gangs, rather like Romeo and Juliet, and underneath their apparent squabbles, there is a genuine liking and admiration.
Peter St. John
I don't really suffer from writer's block. Perhaps this is because my preliminary plot outline lets me know more or less where I'm heading most of the time. On those occasions when I get stuck, I just keep on writing whatever comes into my head, and then tidy it up or delete it at a later editing stage.
Peter St. John
The fun, the learning, the meeting with other writers to exchange views and ideas.
Peter St. John
Arm yourself with plenty of patience and perseverence if you want to be published. Writing is the easy part.
Peter St. John
A plot outline for my next novel has been prepared. It deals with the consternation and conflict caused by the construction of a United States Army Air Force base close to the Engish village of Widdlington during the Second World War. A provisional title is "Gang America".
Peter St. John
I don't believe I get "inspired" as you put it. I just write because it's a kind of satisfying fun. I hope my readers get as much satisfactory fun from their reading as I do from the writing.
Peter St. John
"Gang Rivalry" is a follow-on from the previous "Gang Warfare". There were several exciting matters left in suspense from "Gang Warfare" that required to be resolved in a new story.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more