Paul Michael Peters's Blog, page 11

Soundtrack - The Symmetry of Snowflakes

Music is important to our protagonist Hank Hanson. It fills the hours in "Paris" as he drives from house to house each holiday. Songs remind him of his childhood memories and special moments. Some songs need to be overcome and built an immunity to for the dark thoughts they can hold over him. Music can be shared as a yearbook for each years state of mind. Here are some of the songs I listened to and helped shape The Symmetry of Snowflakes 

Interview with the Author

I had the great pleasure to spend an hour with Karen Hopper talking about The Symmetry of Snowflakes. Included I read the first two chapters. Ever wonder what the authors voice really sounds like? Now is your chance.

Enter to Win!

After last night's interview on Michigan Volumes I found a new boost of energy for my new novel The Symmetry of Snowflakes. Currently in paperback and for the Kindle, you can purchase a copy, or for today only you can Enter to Win! (It takes me back to the tradeshow days of Peter in Flight)

You can WIN 1 - 20 signed copies of the paperback by entering to win here

Enter to Win http://

Peter in Flight Soundtrack

One of the things from The Uncool Cameron Crowe that has stayed with me over the years is his interest in music. He has described in the past how he keeps track of the "mixes" he makes and music on his play list that is influential during the writing and filming process. He can go back to each of his films over the years, heartache and relationships, and point to what inspired a phrase or sentence.

It's something I've kept track of each year, the music played on the soundtrack of my life. Above is the music that was playing during the writing of Peter in Flight. There are some stolen phrases and sentiments from many of these lyrics as they imprinted on my mind and translated in to the love of Peter and Tatiana. Enjoy!

Evil Stories from Elementary

Evil lurks in the deepest of my heart corners waiting to spring on the next unsuspecting victim. In kindergarten one of my classmates, a little boy, arrived one morning with a note pinned to his shoulder. Affixed by a brass safety pin the rectangular sheet of paper had writing on it, which to me could have been completely foreign as I could not yet read. As our morning ritual of sitting on the floor in a semi circle to listen to instructions from our teacher began, I positioned myself to sit close to Mike. Silence was demanded in the inner circle. My whispers could not reach more than to get his attention. So I started to point and jab at the paper to inquire as to it's meaning. An ear blistering scream of pain was more than I expected when I hit my mark. His tear filled faced told me that the words were important, and my teacher explained what the note said, "Do not touch! Broken collar bone." Lesson - Reading is Fundamental. 

During my time in the second grade drinking fountains were part of a stainless steel sink and tub located at the back of every classroom. The counter in which it was set was perfect for the shorter members of society, which included myself at the time. It was there, after a warm drink during class, that I saw Heather. Her hair was long and beautiful in the autumn light that filled the room, styled after Farrah Fawcett Majors, wife to the action television star at the time. Our eyes met. I stood between her and the fountain. She said hello. I stood speechless, but noticed a small string. As with any fluff that might be found on a sweater, or estranged hair that may pose embarrassment in the future, I felt it my duty to remove the stray. My little finger pulled at the sting, but it didn't move, so I gave it a good yank followed by screams. Lesson - Stiches should only be removed by medical professionals.

Giving Up

Often, at the back of my mind, is this critical question of when to give up.  I may like an author, I like the cover, there was a positive recommendation on a podcast, or raving review on NPR. These things are shaped and paid for from publicists and promotion. They may just be very good at their job. A story may connect with some types of readers but not all, and I may be one of those left out.

So when do I give up? There was promise in the first three chapters, but nothing connects, do I press on and see how things turn in the next? I am half way through and I am not enjoying the way has gone, I can see a dark turn ahead, do I press on?

There are chapters I’ve written and loved writing every word. Still, there has to be something different, a decision ahead that needs to be made, do I really want to take these characters there?

I was hoping to have had more interest in what I was doing. My hope was to have more readers. While it grows, nothing seems fast enough in this age of instant gratification.

“Knowing when to leave” by Hal David and Burt Bacharach from the musical “Promises, Promises” encapsulates this sentiment best. “Go while the going is good, knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing that anyone can learn” is a great lines to me. The conflict of the character is in one simple sentence. It’s an ability that made that writing duo great.

When I think of when the right time to walk away from something or someone I think back to this song, as you see I am not all that smart at these types of things. My thick hair an skull keep me safe at times in this little bubble of being hard headed and not giving up, even when it makes sense. I hope to learn that lesson one day, but until then I keep pressing on with completing books I should have given up on, writing characters with flaws in development and grammar, and working through situations I should have abandoned and known better than to have started.     

Free Book Download - Peter in Flight

In honor of the 1 year anniversary of it's release "Peter in Flight" will be available on Amazon.com for free download until May 17, 2014. Tell your friends and family if they missed this opportunity in the last year to read what's been called An Intelligent, Sweet and Easy Read and Clever and entertaining download a copy for your ereader today at Amazon.com

Discount Book

In honor of the 1 year anniversary of the release of Pete in Flight will only be 99 cents Amazon.com during the next week. Anyone with this novella on their list for reading will enjoy this digital copy at a deep discount until May 11, 2014. 

Tell your friends and family! 

 

Have you thought much about luggage, Mr. Banks?

One of my favorite movies is Joe Versus the Volcano. It’s one of those movies you either love or hate. For me there is a scene when Joe Banks meets a luggage salesman who explains that luggage, “It's the central preoccupation of my life.”

As a person who has traveled extensively it’s a common topic of my fellow traveler in executive lounge and waiting areas by the gate. What qualities are best to look for in luggage and who makes the best?

In “Peter in Flight” I wrote about a taxi driver who does a “hard drop” on a carry on bag, which basically breaks the wheels of Peter’s luggage. It has happen twice to me personally, if the taxi driver did it intentionally or not is unknown, but the results were real.  The first time it happened on a roller bag made by Samsonite and the second by Travel Pro. The difference between the two was the price to repair it. My experience was that Travel Pro was easier to work with and provided better service.

Luggage, keep in mind, is very personal. Your type of travel style can dictate your needs from a carry on to a steamer trunk. The luggage salesman tells us, “You travel the world, you’re away from home, perhaps away from your family, all you have to depend on is yourself and your luggage.” For today’s frequent flier, you need to get through the TSA station, fit your belongings in the prescribed space, or plan to pay a premium. If brought on the plane or checked, it needs to be ready for extreme temperatures and handing.

For some time I used a backpack made of ballistics fabrics so I would not injure my back from the extra pounds carried.  It is a great alternative to a briefcase or computer bag. There have been years that I’ve carried a leather computer bag, which was more business appropriate, but not as durable or light weight. Recently I’ve returned to a laptop bag by Tom Bihn, who I personally believe makes the best travel gear available today. Tom Bihn meets all my list of requirements for the construction of quality luggage:

1) Superior construction quality – durability, choice materials, extra strong stitching on seams, and as a bonus made in the USA in Seattle.

2) Large unbreakable zippers – zippers that I can feel from under the seat, that won’t fail, and aren’t misaligned.

3) Pockets – there are apparent pockets, hidden pockets, big and small pockets.

4) Identifiable – because not many know of how great Tom Bihn products are, and the unique look of their design, they are easy to pick out of a line up. You know that’s your bag and don’t question it.

5) Weight – for the miles you travel, extra ounces can slow you down. Lightweight materials are used in production so you feel like you are carrying the items inside and not the bag.

In the parable of Joe Versus the Volcano we learn in the end that your luggage just might save your life. So choose wisely before your adventure begins and “May you live to be a 1,000 years old.”

All Aboard

Twenty years ago I told a good friend that I wanted to be a long haul truck driver. My plan would be to drive and have adventures, meet new people, see interesting places, and then in free time at the back of the cab would write. His wry reply, “I can tell you what the first three chapters are going to be about, the freeway, cars, and the black top.”

Well, prepare yourself for stories about trains as Amtrack is starting what they are calling a Writers Residency Program. Learn more details here: Inside Amtrak's (Absolutely Awesome) Plan to Give Free Rides to Writers

Writers, poor in wealth but rich with ideas, will be able to take those long rides that allow one to focus on the act of writing. My wry old friend might add that these stories will be about hours on track, small towns without stops, and the abundance of interesting characters one may find on American rail. His cynicism is not shared. I’ve always found that these moments, mostly in the air, have been wonderful times to write. Environments of travel have fewer distractions, more focus, the mind is free to wander in the memory palaces of ideas and thought.

The outstanding questions posed in the article get right to the point – who is considered a writer, and where do I sign up?