Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Peter Gray
When did you start writing?
Originally I began to write in university to fill up the time between classes. It became a hobby during undergrad. I fell in love with it because I was able to exchange short stories online with other writers and build a community that still support me to this day. I did not decide to publish my work, until the beginning of covid when I was locked in the house due a nationwide lockdown and found myself wanting to take my writing more seriously and become a published author.
What makes writing your passion?
I love it! A great form of escapism from the real world.
How long have you been writing?
I have been publishing work since 2020 (the start of covid). For writing in general, I have been doing it since I was a teenager. Once I went to University for History and English, I began to write full-length novels that reflected the time periods that I was currently learning in the lecture hall. Whether it would be the time period of the formation of Canada or the Victorian England era.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Absolute excitement and hopefulness that I could continue to publish work in the future.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
As a lover of gothic horror and supernatural stories, I love to dive into a brave heroine battling with characters that challenge her morality. In the past I have written characters of heroines being faced with werewolves, vampires, and Byronic-like characters.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Obtaining an editor that I enjoy working with after the writing process is done. I appreciate an editor that will not change my story too much, and simply edit the grammatical errors and any other mistakes found in the original manuscript.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I rarely ever get writer's block. If it does occur, I usually go for a long walk in nature, breathe in the fresh air, and allow the next part of the story to come to me.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
If I had to give advice to a writer, it would be write your story and worry about the editing process or reader's reaction to your story afterwards. If you allow these things to distract you, it will veer you off course and dissuade you from writing any further.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
All of that daydreaming you did in class was meant for a reason. You have an amazing imagination- use it.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I enjoy reading book reviews. If I get a bad one, I take it as constructive criticism. I know that not everyone will like my writing style, so I don't take it too personally.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
An appreciation that someone understands the morals I wished to express in the story. It makes me happy that they showcased critical thinking skills to really understand the heart of the story or the moral lesson that I wished to express to a reader.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
There is a story that I have not yet published called 'Awakening.' There are some teacher scenes that are loosely based on my own experiences as both a student and a teacher. It was an easy book to write because I had been a full-time teacher by three years at that point in time, so it was easy to refer to situations that I currently faced in the classroom.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Sela from the story 'The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven' is a bit of an introvert that likes to keep to herself. I can relate to her personality because when I was younger I was an introvert and observed the world from afar. I think we also share the characteristic of being empathetic; the ability to emphasize with a persons struggle and wanting to make them feel better is a trait we both share.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
It captures the readers attention and generates some interest towards the story.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
Seldomly I get a message on Instagram from a reader that wanted to express their love for the story. I mostly correspond with other independent writers through Instagram. I created a bit of a network with other gothic horror writers, because I feel it is a niche that only a few writers steer towards.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I feel a surge of happiness! I love when I stumble upon fanart, it is really something that makes me happy. It is nice to see the way readers showcase their love for a story.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Charlotte Brontë is my favourite novel of all time. I have read all of her works! Multiple copies of her stories line my bookshelf. I really aspire to write her stories of gothic romance with alluring characters that tempt the main protagonist.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I don't have any big aspirations to be a famous writer, mostly because I write under a pen name. I would just like to build up my fanbase and be able to publish books yearly for the readers to enjoy.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. I would prefer to write a prequel or a sequel to a published story, rather than rewriting it.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I would not want to switch places with any writer. I would like to be myself! Individuality is something that should be treasured. As a writer, I bring a prospective that is based on my love of gothic horror and supernatural elements, while intertwining it with a romantic plot-line that captivates the readers attention.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Thank you for taking the time to troll me. I wish you luck in doing something constructive with your life.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novel. I hope it leaves you with a good feeling by the end of the novel. I hope you fall in love with the characters and return to them often whenever you open up my book to its first page.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
Peter Gray is a pen name. I took inspiration from two different characters. Petyr from Game of Thrones, because I really found that character intriguing when I first read the novels by George R.R. Martin. Gray is taking from Oscar Wilde's novel 'The Mysterious Picture of Dorian Gray.'
I am a female writer that takes on a male pen name. I live in Canada and I am recently married to my lovely husband that is an artist and a teacher.
What is your day job if you have one?
I am a full-time teacher that works with elementary students and teaches them English everyday. I love my job!
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Reading poetry has been a lifelong hobby of mine. I also like to take out my analogue camera and take pictures of the city life. My two main hobbies is photography and writing either poetry or literature.
Did you have a happy childhood?
I had a happy childhood. I was a big book reader, especially in high school. The experience has really shaped my writing career into my adulthood.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I did a lot of daydreaming in high school. It became an issue because I was disengaged from reality, and preferred to stare off in space. Later on, I decided to write down the stories in my head, and it led to me become a writer.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have a list...
You will just have to wait and see.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
I find students are too addicted to technology. It is good to see them engage in novel study units or book reports, because it forces them to put away their phone and pick up a book again.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Have an apartment in Paris to retreat there over my summer breaks. I would love to tour the art museums and be able to write in a local park. The second wish is to have a large family with my husband; the children must all be readers. The third wish is to rent a small cottage in the Scottish highlands, so that I can find a quiet place to read and relax with my family.
What is your favorite music?
When I am writing it is movie or tv show soundtracks. I mostly listen to Penny Dreadful soundtrack if I am writing Gothic horror novels (i.e. Far from Home), or Pride and Prejudice soundtrack if I am engaged in a historical fiction (i.e. Awakening)
Share a secret with us 🙂
I am not an open book, so I will keep my secrets to myself.