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.
“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.
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.
