Please Welcome Peter A. Brandt author of Maple Express

Maple Express sounds like a great read. Peter has some great giveaways so don't forget to leave a comment.

PRIZE INFORMATION

Peter has some original prizes he's giving away at the end of his tour. Two winners will win a pint jug of Butternut Mountain Farm Vermont Pure Maple Syrup, Grade A Dark Amber, in honor of the main character of The Maple Express, Sara Maple, from the small town of Mapleton Vermont. One grand prize winner will win an awesome Bachmann Trains Pegasus Ready-to-Run HO Scale Train Set. Also, the blog host with the most comments will win a 2012 Canadian (1 oz) Silver Maple Leaf Coin in an "Air-Tite" Capsule.

THE MAPLE EXPRESS

By

Peter Brandt

BLURB:   Sara Maple has a comfortable life—the only child of a wealthy family—a best friend who does everything she asks—and the admiration of most of her schoolmates. Unfortunately, her temper and “indestructible” attitude quickly place her in a very precarious position.

“The Maple Express” is a powerful novel that captures the author’s take on the miracle of the human mind. “The Maple Express” delves into the actions and consequences of a young girl who has never had to take responsibility for her actions before. The story brings the reader into a world where Sara’s determination to find her way off the train sends her on an emotional trip that bonds her to her new friends and changes her life forever.

Both young and old readers will love the emotional journey Sara Maple takes them on as she deciphers the obstacles that confront her. Sara’s story ends with a surprise twist and leaves the reader with a sense of discovery about his or her own humanity.

Let's find out a bit more about Peter.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

It only takes a few minutes of thought before Peter Brandt can devise a scenario that would make a fantastic story, and minutes after that before it begins to fill itself in.

“I have been able to think up stories all my life but it’s only been in the last seven years that I realized I was abusing my creative side by not writing them down.”

Peter retired from the Air Force and began a new career as a Technical Writer. His writing abilities have allowed him to work in Canada, the United States and even in the Middle East.

But its Peter’s love for stories that has brought him into a new realm of writing. His humorous memoir about his life as a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces and the tragic memoir about his father’s life in a Prisoner-of-War camp at the age of 14 allowed him to refine his writing before he began to venture in writing Young Adult fiction.

“I have a very unique way of creating my stories. It begins with a craving, like a recent smoker who just quit cigarettes but still feels the addiction. I can’t shake it until I sit down and begin to let my mind wander. Many times I start my quest for a new story by wondering - What If. Soon after I begin to write and can usually get the first draft completed within a few weeks.

 Maple Express began as a “what if” question and I’d share it with you but it would give away the storyline.”

I always write my stories as I would see them on the movie screen, which is why writing screenplays are also something I do. I am shooting a short film I wrote with a friend of mine within the next couple of weeks with another film shortly after.”

Peter has taken formal lessons in acting and has enjoyed some success as an actor in TV and film before his day job as a Lead Technical Writer required him to move out of the country.

“I can honestly say I have landed in the perfect job for me. I love to write...doesn’t really matter what I write, creatively or technically, writing is a pleasurable experience.  It has allowed me to travel and for that I am grateful.”

Peter grew up with the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew hardcover books.

“I loved them. I remember sitting under my blanket after lights out, sweating from the heat and the fear that gripped me as Joe and Frank carried on with another of their adventures.”

It is with these wonderful stories in mind that Peter wrote “Holly Alexander and the Mystery of the Courthouse Square.” This young adult novel will be released summer / fall 2012.

“I never really grew up. I have tried to write for adults but I find it difficult. I was a small, shy, and bullied kid growing up. I was nothing special. I had terrible grades, no idea what I wanted to do with my life and girls...wow, totally foreign to me. After I joined the Army those years faded quickly and I guess it has caused me to want to get those years back.

That is why I crave writing about young people who feel they are nothing special until I put them in a position where they have no choice but to become someone they never dreamed they could be. It is very uplifting for me to make heroes out of young people who believe they have nothing to contribute. It’s an eye opener for me as well as for them when it happens.”

Pete continues to write and publish through Simple Simon Publishing, a different type of publisher.

“Simple Simon Publishing is all about turning authors into entrepreneurs. For too long authors have felt dependent on the closed loop publishing industry to discover them and make them successful. Simple Simon’s philosophy is you are not just an author but the best person in the world to sell your product...you and your writing.”

Peter and his wife Carly have five kids who are all grown and on their own.

Read an Excerpt

“Maple Express” Excerpt Two

The door handle on the end was so cold Sara’s hand almost stuck to it. Quickly, she pulled her hand away when she felt the first signs of stickiness. Sara turned and searched through the car for something she could use. Sara smiled when she noticed the rag on the floor by an overturned bench.

The door handle was stiff, but like the previous ones, this one wasn’t locked.

I think we know now how to get out of here, she thought in triumph.

The cold hit her instantly when the door finally broke free and slid wildly into the wall. The clanging of metal on metal that was so audible earlier was now eerily silent.

It’s as if the air is dead, she thought.

Sara could feel an evil presence, not in a biblical sense, but more in a deadly energy that was present. The light at the end of the car appeared brighter now.

A manifestation of my darkest fears, I’m sure, although she couldn’t remember what that could be. It was only a feeling she had and a very intense one at that.

Sara squinted, trying to identify the presence with the light. A sudden vision of an old woman appeared in her mind but the image inside the light appeared much vaguer.

Sara could sense she was close to the end of the train. Another car or two and she would be there. Her heart rate was much faster now and she could feel it pounding within her chest.

Interview Questions

1.    What or who inspired you to start writing?

I have always wanted to write but self-esteem and a random comment from someone I loved turned me off and I didn’t bother pursuing it.

My present wife was fascinated that I could write and really pushed me to do it. We writers can be very temperamental and the wrong word can make us pull away.

2.    What elements are necessary components of a young adult novel?" Please explain using examples from your book.

I think a really good storyline relevant to what young people are dealing with today is paramount with any young adult fiction. Sara Maple is driving to school in a new car because her family's wealth allows it and yet her best friend still rides the bus because she isn't allowed in Sara's car.

"My parents don't think you have enough experience driving."

Sara's story is much the same as most kids, family problems, a keen interest in boys, and the love of her best friend Julie. These are all part of Maple Express.

I think another element would be a lesson, not in the schoolteacher kind of way otherwise kids won't read it, but perhaps a subtle viewing of what can be changed to make for a happier life. Sara Maple treats people much different than she expects to be treated and it takes a wakeup call during an unconventional train ride to show her where she is letting herself and her friends down by the way she acts.

3.    What expertise did you bring to your writing?

Well, I have always wanted to be a writer and when I finally left the military, I took my technical expertise and used it to become a Technical Writer. I am one of those people that write user, owner / operator, and service manuals that you get with your car, appliance or computer equipment. As well, I write a huge amount of project documentation for software development.

When I was in school, I became very picky about my spelling. I realized that it took as much effort to spell a word wrong as it did to spell it right, so I opted for the latter.

I think what writing for a living has given me is the ability to write with no fear. If I am asked to write something, creative or otherwise, I begin to write and trust my brain to carryout whatever task it is given. Within a short period of time it's done. I remember when I was first starting out writing novels I was scared and unsure of what to write so I would write for a while and then go back and change it and I did that until I became frustrated.

I have the uncanny ability to make stories up very quickly so finding content for my books is the least of my worries.

4.    What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Wow, let me think. I am super shy when I'm required to be in a crowd of people yet if I am asked I could stand up in front of a room full of people and talk about my writing, or teach something I know.

I also love to act in film and television but I am scared to death to get up on a stage and do a play in a theatre production. I have a good memory but I have a word-finding problem so I get scared I would forget a word on stage and then the whole show unravels.

Another thing from my past is that I was a top rifle shot in the army. I was a member of the top Canadian rifle team in 1979. As well, I was the lead singer in a number of bands before and after I joined the military.

5.    As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

Well, I actually thought about quitting. I started taking guitar lessons to compensate for all those quiet nights that I would have but that didn’t last more than a couple of months. I realize now that I can’t stop writing so I will continue to write but I think I will stay as an independent author.

I have also hooked up with a filmmaker and have written a couple of screenplays, one that we shot last month. Writing screenplays lets me write in an acting role for myself so I get to use two parts of my creativity.

6.    Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?

Absolutely…here is an excerpt:

The door handle on the end was so cold Sara’s hand almost stuck to it.

Quickly, she pulled her hand away when she felt the first signs of stickiness. Sara turned and searched through the car for something she could use. Sara smiled when she noticed the rag on the floor by an overturned bench.

The door handle was stiff, but like the previous ones, this one wasn’t locked.

I think I know how to get out of here, she thought in triumph.

The coldness hit her instantly when the door finally broke free and slid wildly into the wall. The clanging of metal on metal that was so audible earlier was now eerily silent.

It’s as if the air is dead, she thought.

Sara could feel an evil presence, not in a biblical sense, but more in a deadly energy that was present. The light at the end of the car appeared brighter now.

A manifestation of my darkest fears, I’m sure, although she couldn’t remember what that could be. It was only a feeling she had and a very intense one at that.

Sara squinted, trying to identify the presence with the light. A sudden vision of an old woman appeared in her mind but the image inside the light appeared much vaguer.

Sara could sense she was close to the end of the train. Another car or two and she would be there. Her heart rate was much faster now and she could feel it pounding in her chest.

7.    Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?

I have only slightly been in one. When I found out what was going on I didn't participate I am sure that for many people they are a wonderful thing, but I personally do not like them and I’ll tell you why.

Writing for me is a highly personal endeavor and my style of thinking and writing is different from everyone else's. The mechanics might be the same, but I think a 70-year-old female teacher is going to have a very different outlook on life than I am. For her to read my novel and tell me what needs fixing is just not right. If she is a publisher and she wants to tell me how to fix the book so she can sell it - fine - she has my undivided attention. Otherwise, I am not interested in what she thinks I need to change. With my writing, I will take care of it myself and sink or swim under my own terms.

On the other hand, I have a fantastic editor that can tell me anything she wants and I will listen to whatever she has to say. She knows her stuff and prepares my novels to a highly professional standard. She helps me find any inconsistencies and overall grammar / spelling. It is impossible when I write fast to catch everything.

8. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

It was my wife Carly. When we first met 11 years ago, I had mentioned that I wanted to write and be an author. She was the first person to look at me and say, "Wow, you should do that. I bet you would be really good at it."

I had someone earlier in my life who laughed at my suggestion and having poor self-esteem I felt I should listen to that person. I see how stupid that was now, but back then, I didn't want to rock the boat.

19. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

Best advice…hire an editor. It took me a while to do it but it was the smartest money I have ever spent. As well, getting a professional cover made is another one.

Worst advice…change the title of my first published book to "Secrets of Harden Long." Catchy perhaps but definitely not a book you want in the window of the local bookstore and the cover…shish…not for the faint of heart LOL!

10. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I start by brainstorming the overall idea. Some kind of idea has to hit me and begins to overwhelm my waking hour until I have to jot down notes. Then my brain takes over and works on the overall structure of the story...beginning, middle and the end. I have even used MS Office Visio to outline in a block chart highlighting the steps in order to build up to the climax. This is so I can ensure the book conforms to the standard publishing guidelines of how a book should be presented.

Once I have the overall plan then I figure out the steps to get me from one place to the other. Usually by this time, I can begin to write the beginning of the novel and most of the time, everything falls into place and it writes itself as I go along.

This book, Maple Express, was the one time that this process didn’t work. I knew the start and the ending (which is usually the missing part) but for the life of me, I just couldn’t figure out the steps in between. So, I began writing the front section but when I hit the middle part, it just didn't come to me what was next.

Even though I loved the story, I shelved it. Our old neighbors kept bugging me to finish it because I had outlined the premise of the story. Finally, after a year or so, I began to think about it again and suddenly it came to me how it could progress. It didn’t take long after that to finish writing it.

11. How do you maintain your creativity?

I will do anything creative if I am asked. I love acting, I love music and have both a guitar and a violin that I am learning to play. A director here found out I wrote novels and asked me to write a screenplay for a short film and we filmed it last month. That was very cool seeing something that came from my brain being made into a movie. I am working on another screenplay now for a shoot this month (April) and perhaps we will follow up with a full-length feature. As well, I am part way through writing my next novel from California.

12. Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?

I would have to say the lead character Sara Maple because she owns a brand new Ford Mustang GT!

I am kidding of course. I like Sara because she's a bully and being very small an immature growing up I was bullied a lot.

Of course, that doesn't make much sense that I would like a bully, but writing this novel was almost therapeutic for me because I could write it from both sides of the bully / bullying issue. I like that Sara and only Sara must take responsibility to change how she acts and she is surprised to find out what was the real reason she was acting that way.

Overall, it was a learning process for both Sara and me.

13. Anything else you might want to add?

I love being an independent author and I have been one for quite some time.

I would love to share with your readers what I have learned, the good and the bad. I have a video blog at http://www.simplesimonpublishing.com/blog where I discuss how to go from being a storyteller to becoming an author. As well, I am putting the final changes on an eBook titled "From Author to Entrepreneur" that is written in conjunction with my blog. The book is more detailed than the blog can be about specifics.

I have heard many people slag self-publishers as being poor writers and not good enough because they can't find a publisher for their book. I had a conventional publisher before and believe me the experience wasn't that great.

The reality is thousands of people query agents and publishers with thousands of books every year trying to land a tiny fraction of spots available. That doesn't mean that the majority that weren't selected are poor writers who submitted unprofessionally written stories. It is purely a numbers game

Writing a book is hard work and it takes a lot of time and effort. People need to think about why anyone would want to spend six months to a year writing a book. Are they really just trying to sell crap to an unsuspecting public? The reality is we authors are driven to write. Photographers sell their pictures independently yet we don't think they are "unqualified" because they aren't in some kind studio somewhere.

I spend more money and time writing, marketing and selling my books than almost every publisher out there does (unless you have a big name and a big name budget to go with it).

So I invite your readers to come on out and have a visit and hear what I can tell them about becoming an independent author. As you have probably gathered by now, I am very passionate about my writing.

As well, I want to thank the Angels for allowing me to be here today and I really loved your questions. They were very good at getting to the nitty gritty of my book and who I am as an author.

Thank you and all the best,

Thanks the Angels

LINKS

www.peterabrandt.com is my personal site.

www.simplesimonpublishing.com is where my books are for sale.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140570 is where Maple Express is for sale at Smashwords for $1.99

PRIZE INFORMATION

Peter has some original prizes he's giving away at the end of his tour. Two winners will win a pint jug of Butternut Mountain Farm Vermont Pure Maple Syrup, Grade A Dark Amber, in honor of the main character of The Maple Express, Sara Maple, from the small town of Mapleton Vermont. One grand prize winner will win an awesome Bachmann Trains Pegasus Ready-to-Run HO Scale Train Set. Also, the blog host with the most comments will win a 2012 Canadian (1 oz) Silver Maple Leaf Coin in an "Air-Tite" Capsule.

Once again these are great prizes so don't forget to leave a comment.