Interview with Peter Wells: Author of Living Life Backwards
Maxim to live by: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same.” Peter Wells
Interview with Peter Wells: Author of Living Life Backwards
If you’ve ever read Peter Wells blog; Countingducks, you’d fall in love with his masterful skill at storytelling. Peter is an accomplished writer, a world traveler, a witty storyteller with a wicked sense of humor, a father of three, a grandfather and a dear friend. According to his bio: “His writing is inspired by his working and traveling life, and the people he has met through them. He now lives just south of London and is the proud father of three daughters.” I met Peter, three years ago, through our blogging community on WordPress and we made a fast connection. I fell in love with his writing style, his use of language, and his keen sense of humor. I read everything that he wrote and watched as his community of eager readers grew and grew and grew. I was thrilled for him because I believed he had great stories to share and that he would publish his writings some day. He did!
In February of this year, Peter’s first book, Living Life Backwards hit the market and we bought copies and encouraged him to keep on writing. I’m delighted to share that Peter is now working on his next book: The Man Who Missed The Boat. I encourage you to buy a copy of Living Life Backwards and read it. Use the promo code BOOKDEAL25 for an Extra 25% off his and any Amazon Book. You won’t be disappointed.
Living Life Backwards, PDMI Publishing, LLC; (February 19, 2014), is a beautifully written story about the complexities of relationships and what happens when the lives of fragile characters intersect. The storyline and characters feel very familiar and they would make you wonder if Peter visited each of us to share stories we hold dear. It might even seem autobiographical or part fictionalized memoir. But, Peter is a great storyteller and knows how to weave a story well. The novel poses a question: When an Obsession knocks on the doors of your Paradise, should they remain closed? Should they? I am delighted and grateful that Peter agreed to share part of his life with us. Sit back, enjoy the interview and ask any questions that you’d like to have answered. Join me in welcoming Peter Wells!
“Writing means sharing. It’s part of the human condition to want to share things – thoughts, ideas, opinions.” Paulo Coelho
Interview with Peter Wells: Author of Living Life Backwards – Front of Book Cover
Having spent his childhood in a barren emotional wasteland overseen by a father who valued order above feeling, Bill finally meets a woman who leads him to a place he can call home. Arriving in the small coastal town in England with his new wife, he finds that he is quickly assimilated into her community and extended family. With his somewhat murky past behind him, he forges a new life within a solid, caring community and discovers what being valued means. As it happens, his wife appears to be overly interested in “organizing” everything and everyone around her, including her young cousin who is the apple of her father’s eye. Within the garden of Eden Bill knows he can show no interest in this apple called Misty. (back cover editorial)
Tell us a bit about your background: Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in the English countryside and have been a country boy most of my life, although I now live south of London on the banks of the river Thames, which is a very pretty place visited by a decent number of ducks and other wild-life.
Is that why you picked the name – Counting ducks for your blog? I’ve been blogging for 3 years and countingducks is an expression of my love for those water-loving birds, a play on my version of day dreaming, and a title that popped into my head.
Share a bit of your world view: How do you live your life and manage your household? My world view, and my household are built on the philosophy of celebrating what you have before you decide to acquire anything else. As a species, we have a habit of trampling over the Garden of Eden in our search for some private paradise.
You recently published your first book – Living Life Backwards – Congratulations on a masterful story! How long did it take to write and how did you come up with the title? It took about three months to write and the title just came out of my head for no reason. One of the main characters (in the book) is a bit of an aging hippie, and that is just the kind of thing he would say!
What is the creative process like for you? I either have ideas while I should be sleeping or out on my early morning stroll. I’m not one to have a plan of the book when I start. The book sort of plans itself on a daily basis. It all comes from my approach to Blogging, in that those posts are also often created during my morning stroll.
What tips would you offer writers on getting published for the first time? Stay open to all opportunities and enjoy the process. I was lucky, in that a publisher approached me through my Blog and asked me to write one. I have now written a second book, which is due in the not too distant future I hope. It is called “The Man Who Missed The Boat”
More Below!
“Writing is an extreme privilege but it’s also a gift. It’s a gift to yourself and it’s a gift of giving a story to someone.” Amy Tan
Interview with Peter Wells: Author of Living Life Backwards – Back of Book Cover
He knows the price of doing so, and the value of what he now enjoys. Will that be enough to protect him from desire? Luck is with him: she has no interest in him. But what if circumstances where to change and she looked at her world and him with new eyes. Would he cling to common sense? With the hand of a surgeon, Peter Wells gently probes the thoughts of the mundane to seek those corners that still long for adventure. Those bits and pieces of each of us that gaze out on the world and find something to settle on and wonder… Tenderly touching the wounded, lonely parts of his character’s hearts, Peter gently leads them to a destiny they never could have imagined on their own. When an Obsession knocks on the doors of your Paradise, should they remain closed? (back cover editorial)
What motivates you to get out of bed? The weather, and often ideas I have had when I should have been sleeping, and which I am anxious to write down before they lose their sparkle. The sense of “Not wasting a day” and the small requirement to earn some money to live on it should be said.
What makes you happy/laugh? Almost anything. I’ve got a very active sense of humour which can get me laughing at the most inappropriate moments. I long for the time when I will have a more mature approach to life
What makes you sad/mad? Man’s cruelty to man; to other species, and his wanton approach to the planet which supports us. On a personal level I find it hard to tolerate any kind of self-importance, arrogance, and prejudice is always angering, however it manifests itself
What would you do differently with your life if you had the power? I would think much more about looking after myself and my circumstances. I really have been very unmotivated when it comes to securing my own well-being.
What would you do with the world if you had the choice? As far as the world is concerned,, I wish we cherished and celebrated each other and the world in which we live more than we do. I have been reading accounts of the First World War recently, from a private soldiers perspective, and I cannot believe their barbaric experiences are still so common today. In many ways, the more we lose a sense of the divine, or of some cleansing social revolution the more material and short-sighted is our vision and that troubles me.
What guiding principle(s) do you follow to make your life meaningful? “Do unto others” has always been my motto. Perversely for a writer, I believe in leading by example rather than statement, although in my writings I try to encourage others to gently question the way we approach our lives, and to treasure the simple things
What word(s) of advice would you give to others today? Want less and treasure more.
How would you like to be remembered? As kind and understanding, and a very decent scrambler of eggs!
Happiness is…..? Within our grasp if we believe it.
Peter is working hard on his next novel. You can connect with him through his blog: CountingDucks, On Facebook, and by buying a copy of his book on Amazon: Living Life Backwards Thank you!
What are your thoughts? Do share your questions and comments? If you’d like to be featured, leave a note and let me know how to reach you. Thank You.
Positive Motivation Tip: Stay true to your voice and your dreams. Opportunity is around the corner.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All featured photos are courtesy of Peter Wells
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Thank you for sharing ! You are quite the writer as well!
Same with you. So kind of you to say that. TY! 🙂
I had to. 🌷
Haha! So sweet. I hope Peter will forgive me for taking so long to approve all the comments. I’ve had my share of spammers pretending to be bloggers, so I spent many hours double checking comments and they took forever to complete Ugh! 🙂
I get some of them on occasion but usually WP gets them?
Aha! It’s good to know Akismet is working overtime for you. It needs to get off that coffee break and work a bit harder for me. LOL! TY! 🙂
How nice to meet the author! I always like to know a bit about the person who writes the book I want to read.
Same here. it gives the book something extra to learn behind the scenes.
Great interview. This sounds like a really interesting book!
It is a great story and very well written. Peter has a strong, distinct voice. You’d love it.
This was a very interesting interview to read. I had no idea that he had blogged. The books sounds like it would be a good read.
Sounds like a great interview…I would love to be able to interview all of my favorite authors!
What a great interview. I really like the motivational quote. I will have to read his book.
Sounds like a very interesting read. Thank you for sharing!
I am always looking for new reads! I will have to check this out!
I love what he said about happiness – it is within our grasp if we believe in it and take a hold on it! So true!
No featured comment here, I just enjoyed reading about Peter Wells and I’m going to go and check out his blog. Thanks!
Go right ahead. You’d enjoy his blog very much.
Peter Wells’ outlook in life is admirable. I like how he always puts emphasis on celebrating whatever it is that we have. I find him to be a very good person who has a big heart. I’ll most likely get a copy of his book.
He is a real gentleman and you’d enjoy his book. It’s available on Amazon.
How amazing that you got to interview an author you like. I share his ‘what makes you mad’ answer, I can’t stand when people treat other people and the planet badly.
Yes, sometimes it’s not intentional but I agree. 😉
Thanks for introducing me to Counting Ducks, I think I’m going to enjoy it there Eliz 🙂
Great! He’s a fabulous, humorous writer.
I have never heard of him, but his book sounds like an interesting read. I’ll have to check it out.
HilLesha
He’s a blogger/writer and a very good one at that. Glad you now know of his work. 🙂
Really great interview – so interesting! I might have to check out this book!
What an interesting sounding read! I’m from Southampton, England, and I always love to read stories set in England! I love his perspective on happiness. So true.
Thanks for sharing this interview about Peter. I will be sure to visit his blog. =)
Peter is one of those writers where character drives the plot. Rather rare these days, but something I find especially intriguing. Peter’s writing is always a delight and I am most definitely looking forward to the release of his next book.
Same here. He is delightful and a skilled storyteller.
Great interview! Thanks for sharing this and the inspiration as always.
What a great interview!!!! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks for sharing your interview. I can relate to a parent who values order above feeling. Thanks so much for sharing.
He has an interesting story. Thanks for the interview!
Such a lovely post and a great author! Great question you have here!
I am not familiar with this author, but he offers a lot of insightful gems of advice. I do agree, you have to enjoy the process, and not be afraid to explore all sorts of different possibilities.
What an awesome opportunity to get to interview him. I am not familiar with his books, but it was nice to read this post!
What an interesting topic – I am sure that we all have things we like to release from our lives.
I think it is so neat when you get to interview the author. It looks like you had a really in-depth interview.
Thank you. Peter was very generous with his answers.
Sounds like an interesting premise for a story. Books are so much better when the writer knows just how to do it
Great interview. I love that he lives by the golden rule. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Christy! He’s a terrific soul.
Really an amazing interview.. The book sounds like its going to be a really fast and good seller.
It has done well. What is truly wonderful is Peter’s skill as a writer.
Great interview- what an exciting experience! Thanks for sharing!
Peter? We are missing your voice. 🙂
Sounds like such a great story and writer as well
It’s really fascinating to get to know the person behind the work. What he likes, what he doesn’t like, how he gets up in the morning. These are small things that I find really interesting about people. Really fantastic post.
What a great interview. This sounds like a great read, too. I will add it to my list.
” …celebrating what you have before you decide to acquire anything else …” — what a perfect way to sum up a philosophy of contentment! I might just have to put that on my fridge where I can see it everyday and remember to practice it!
Congrats to him on his first story! What an incredible accomplishment–he sounds like a great guy, and that he will write many more awesome stories in the future too!
Will check his book out. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
How nice you interviewed the author.. I love to read the book
That is a great interview. I will have to check out the book.
wow, what a great interview. I’m going to add this to my summer reading list.
Sounds like a great interview with such an inspiring Author. I would definitely love to read his book sometime soon.
Please do. You will enjoy it.
I love that he’s already working on his next book. I think it would be so amazing to be a writer.
I understand what you mean … You are already a writer Rosey! 🙂
Fantastic interview. Great concept – the idea of the guy who missed the boat 😉
I’m glad you enjoyed it and loved the concept. I did too. Peter is awesome. TY!
I enjoyed reading the excerpt. I’ll have ti check it out. Thanks!
You did a very great job on this interview! I think it is amazing that someone can write such an interesting book in only 3 months. It would take me at least a year maybe even longer to finish it. He sounds like a very talented author.
Thank you again, for the lovely interview you did with me. I commented on your latest post, and saw it had other comments on it already, which made me think you had cured whatever gremlins were troubling your Blog. You are a star at Countingducks LLC PLC 🙂
Hahaha! Thank you Peter. You are a star here too. The gremlins have been sent on their merry way. Hopefully, they won’t return. 🙂
I certainly pick up few tips from your interview with the writer. It is casual and yet I have an indepth understanding of him.
very interesting interview. It doesn’t sound forced as it often happens with interviews. It is also very curious to know about writers.
Peter Wells’ interview is so inspiring. I havent read his blog but now I’ll go through it. He story telling part is where I find it intriguing!