Peter
Thompson grew up in Illinois, and lives near Chicago. He remembers how excited he was when the first astronaut
stepped on to the moon. He has had an appreciation of space, and all its
possibilities ever since. His love of children’s books developed while
reading to his three sons. His first
novel, Living Proof, was a thriller
published by Berkeley Books. Summer
on Earth is his first book for younger readers. It will
be released in August of this year.
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What’s inside the mind of a middle grade sci-fi author?
Curiosity and empathy. I think it all comes down to that
sense of wonder, and imagining what things would be like, if something was
different. By asking What if
questions, and trying to put myself in the shoes of the character experiencing
this situation, I get a chance to live life from a new perspective. My novel, Summer on Earth, is the story of Ralwil
or Will, an alien who is forced to land on a farm to fix his broken spaceship,
and his relationship with Grady, the 11-year-old boy who lives there. It was a
lot of fun writing from the perspective of Ralwil, an alien from another
galaxy. To him, everything here is new and exotic. Things we take for granted
and think of as dull and boring, are fresh and exciting to him. Grady’s
perspective was challenging in another way. It has been a long, long time since
I was 11 years old. Remembering back to how I was at that age, and trying to
make it authentic, was very satisfying in the end.
What is so great about being an author?
It is a wonderful feeling to have an idea, and to start
writing, and to see how the story takes shape. I love how characters come alive
and go off in their own direction. When a story works, it feels like I am a
stenographer, just trying to keep up and write down the story as it flows out
of me. I think we all have creative impulses, and it is a wonderful feeling to
start with just a germ of an idea, and to see it grow. When my writing flows,
it is exciting for it to come together, surprising me at times as the story
finds its way, and ends up as a finished novel, telling a story that has never
been told in that way before.
When do you hate it?
I don’t think I ever hate it, but writing can be frustrating
at times. Every day you start with a blank page. Sometimes the story flows and
it feels great. Other times it is a struggle. I try to push through when it
isn’t flowing, but there are times where I don’t like any of my ideas, and
nothing is working the way I want it too. I just try and relax and keep going.
It always comes back if you keep on putting in the time.
What is a regular writing day like for you?
I do most of my writing early in the morning. I try and get
up at five thirty, and write for a
few hours before going to work. I usually read what I wrote from the day
before, say may affirmations, then put on my headphones and listen to some
instrumental music, set the timer and start to write. On a good day it will
flow effortlessly. Sometimes it doesn’t,
but if I keep it up, the story comes through.
How do you handle negative reviews?
There is always a sting when you read a bad review, and I
wonder sometimes, maybe they are right? But the truth is, a review is only an
opinion. I’ve had enough good response to know that my stories are working,
even if they don’t work for everyone. You have to believe in what you do. Our
stories are all personal, even when they are fiction, and as an author we need
to have confidence that we are telling the story the best way that we can tell
it, even when someone else doesn’t get it.
How do you handle positive reviews?
It is a good feeling to know that someone really connected
to my story, and I immediately think that they are obviously very intelligent,
beautiful and well respected human beings. I’m only partially kidding when I
say that. In my heart I send out thanks and gratitude. It feels good and I do
get a boost from good reviews. But, like a bad review, it is still only one
person’s opinion. I read them, enjoy them, and move on.
What is the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance
that you’re an author?
Surprise, mostly. I don’t bring it up as a rule, so they are
more likely to hear about it when someone else tells them, or they read an
article, or now, it might be because of social media. People see you in the way
they know you, or were first introduced to you. We all have many facets, and
people who know me through my work, or from family connections or any other
relationship, think of me based on how they first came to know me. I know I
feel the same way when I find out something new about a friend or acquaintance
that I didn’t know before. I recently found out that someone I’ve known for
years was a painter. I thought that was so cool, and it made me look at her in
a new light. When people find out I am an author, they are surprised, but it
rounds me out as a person to them. They see me for more than the one role they
might identify me with. Most people don’t know many authors, though, so when
they ask me for my autograph, or to sign a copy of my book, I sometimes feel
like a minor celebrity.
What do you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do
you force it or take a break?
I try and write every day, but some days I am very
productive, and other days, not so much. I do take breaks from writing, but if
I am working on a project and it doesn’t flow, I keep pushing. I’ve found that
inspiration comes reliably when I push through and put in the work.
Any writing quirks?
I usually sit in the same spot and listen to music when I
write. I also say my affirmations before I start, and find that this helps put
me in the right head space for writing.
What would you do if people around you didn’t take your
writing seriously or see it as a hobby?
I’ve been very lucky in that my family and friends have been
very supportive of my writing. And that does make a big difference. But
ultimately, I write for myself. When I write it is a form of self-discovery,
and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Early on, the people I share my work
with are those who I know will take it seriously. Sometimes there are stories
that I get excited about, and my early readers don’t see it the same way. When
that happens I listen to their opinion, and then decide whether I want to
accept it, or not. As a writer you have to have a pretty thick hide, because
criticism is part of it, and good criticism can make you better.
Some authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to
writing. Can you relate?
Absolutely. I love to write, and when it is flowing I have a
real sense of joy and accomplishment. But there was a long period where I
stopped writing entirely. At the time, my life was busy and I had a lot of
stress from other sources. I kept getting stuck with my writing. I felt blocked
and discouraged and trying to write was just adding more stress. I put
everything away and just stopped. I
missed it, but writing was too painful at the time. Since then, I have come to
appreciate the process more, and now I try and keep writing even when I don’t
feel like it is working. In the long run I have faith that what needs to come
out, will come out.
Do you think success as an author must be linked to money?
I don’t. Money is important to the extent that it gives you
validation. Knowing that a publisher believes in your story enough that they
are willing to pay for it, is a great feeling. I remember when I saw my first
novel in a book store the first time, it gave me a real rush of excitement. I
have to admit, I do fantasize about my book becoming a runaway best seller, and
I am looking forward to the movie premier (take note, any movie producers in
the audience). But I don’t write for the money. If I was given a choice of
having a whole bunch of readers reading my book for free and loving it, or
having someone pay me a ton of money not to publish the book, I would always go
for more readers. Like most authors, I work a full-time job, and that’s where
most of my money comes from.
What has writing taught you?
That’s a great question. I have learned a lot about myself
in the process of writing. I know that I can take on a big project, and see it
through to completion. I have learned not to take myself too seriously, and I
try and separate the process from the outcome. I’ve learned that I have more
fun when I write for my own enjoyment, then when I try and write for some
potential audience. I know that writing is almost like praying or meditating. I
am the one typing on my keypad, but when the writing flows, I connect with
something else, and I am often surprised and delighted by what comes out on the
page.
Leave us with some words of wisdom.
When writing, especially in the beginning, don’t write for
other people, write for yourself. I try and amuse myself. I know things are
going well if I’m laughing while I write, or feel tears come to my eyes. I try
to turn off my editor, let it go and just have fun.
