I started my first novel when I was forty. My wife and I had three kids at the time (the fourth came two years later) and we had just decided to start our own medical practice. I used to write late at night on weekends and early in the morning before work, mostly because I had no other time but also because I was trying to keep the whole thing a secret from my wife. She found out a few months later, however, coming downstairs on a Saturday night catching me scribbling into a green wire-bound notebook. She kissed me on the cheek and went back to bed, but I wished she had told me the following, because it took me years to learn the hard way.

1) Writing is the biggest black hole of time ever created. Entire weekends can disappear at

the keyboard. Ask yourself a question before you start a book: Do I have this kind of

time? (And then do it anyway.)

2) It takes a long, long time to break through. I thought I knew this, but I really didn’t. Sit

down, strap in and hang on.

3) The best way to get better at writing is to read and write. Yes, writing conferences and

writing groups help some, but I would classify them more as entertainment than anything

else. If you want to write better, spend the time reading and writing.

4) There is only one worthwhile motive to write: for your personal enjoyment and

fulfillment. If this is not your motive, take up Canasta or curling. I say this because

although you are not going to be the next Cormac McCarthy or JK Rowling, you might

have a lot of fun in the process and learn a lot about who you are.

If I piqued your interest, here is the link to The Vatican Conspiracy Please e-mail me at Peter's author e-mail if you have any comments or questions. And write a review of rate the book on Amazon.

Cheers, peter

:)

, Peter Hogenkamp is a practicing physician, public speaker and author living in Rutland, Vermont. Peter's writing credits include The Intern, TouchPoint Press, 4/2020; The Vatican Conspiracy, the first book in the Marco Venetti thriller series, October 2020, Bookouture/HachetteUK; The Vatican Secret, Marco Venetti #2, April 2021; and THE LAZARUS MANUSCRIPT, a stand-alone medical thriller; Peter can be found on his Author Website as well as his personal blog, PeterHogenkampWrites, where he writes about most anything. Peter is the founder and editor of The Book Stops Here, the literary blog for readers and writers written by authors, editors, agents, publishers and poets. Peter is the creator, producer and host of Your Health Matters, a health information program, which airs on cable television, streams on YouTube and sounds off on podcast. Peter tweets--against the wishes of his wife and four children--at @phogenkampvt and @theprosecons. Peter can be reached at peterhogenkampbooks@gmail.com or on his Facebook Page.