Sunday Sessions: Interview with Author, Matthew Peters
Welcome to the series, Sunday Sessions, where you’ll get to meet authors from around the world, writing in different genres, sharing their writing tips, marketing adventures and much more.
Please welcome Matthew Peters, American author of ‘The Brothers’ Keepers’. A story of murder and intrigue, and the lengths some will go to ensure a secret remains buried forever.
1 – Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a transplanted Yankee living in North Carolina. I have a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University, which I hesitate to say because academics are often notoriously bad writers. I hope I’m an exception to that rule. I’ve taught courses in political science, history, sociology, and markets & management. I’ve been writing full-time for the past few years. When I’m not writing, I’m reading and/or thinking about writing. I hope to continue writing genre and literary fiction.
2 – How did the idea for The Brothers’ Keepers come about?
The idea for The Brothers’ Keepers came about by playing the what-if game. I began with the following: What if a document written by Jesus was discovered? What would the contents of the document be? Who would have such a document? Who would know about the existence of such a document, and what would the struggle to get a hold of it look like? This was the initial question that inspired the novel. This initial question underwent several versions over the course of the research, but that is how the idea came about.
3 – What sort of research did you do before you started writing?
First, I had to master a good deal of history, both of the early Christian Church and the subsequent sects that developed out of the Roman Church. Second, I had to familiarize myself with scripture, not just the Bible but also books excluded from the canon. Third, I had to describe places I’ve never been, so I read travelogues and “visited” various places through YouTube and Google Earth.
4 – What do you love/hate most about writing or being a writer?
I love the research part of the writing process, and hearing from my readers. I hate the marketing/promoting part.
5 – What is your typical writing day like?
That really depends on what part of the process I’m working on. My process breaks down into three major components: 1) research; 2) writing; and 3) revising. The Branson books are research-intensive. I spend more time researching and developing the plot than I do writing them. When I’m researching, I do it for about ten to twelve hours a day, at least five days a week. This can take several months. When I have basically finished researching and am to the point of writing, I write from about 4:00 AM up until mid-morning. I never write new material after noon. Once I’ve completed a draft, I revise during the mornings and afternoons until I have a manuscript ready for the eyes of my editors. All this time, I will have submitted chapters to my writing group.
6 – What are you currently reading?
Currently, I’m reading Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel.
7 – If you were having a dinner party and could invite five people, living or dead, who would you invite and why?
First, I’d invite my mom because I love her and miss her. Second, I would invite the historical Jesus, which would help answer a lot of questions I have. The third person I’d invite would be Fyodor Dostoevsky due to his deep understanding of human psychology and the spirit. Fourth, I’d invite Nietzsche, because he’d be a riot and I’d love to see how he handled interacting with Jesus. Finally, I’d ask Scarlett Johansson, because…well, just because ☺
8 – What’s your view on social media marketing for authors?
My view and experience has been that social media marketing is not very effective, though obviously you need some presence on sites like Facebook and Twitter.
9 – Do you have any marketing tips for new authors?
The best marketing tip I can offer is to try Bookbub. I haven’t tried it yet, but from what I hear the results can be very good.
10 – If your book was turned into a film, who would you like to play your main characters? The villain?
I would have so much fun casting the main characters in a Hollywood adaptation of The Brothers’ Keepers! Quite honestly, I’ve given considerable thought to this issue (I mean, and what writer hasn’t?), and, in consultation with my significant other, have reached the following conclusions.
First, to the all-important question of who would play Nicholas Branson, the answer is Hugh Jackman. Why, you might ask? Well, the role of Nicholas Branson needs to be cast with an eye toward a mature actor, one who can credibly combine Branson’s high intellect with his alcoholism and a somewhat stilted emotional maturation. The role is sometimes physically demanding, so we’d need someone in very good shape, for which Mr. Jackman fits the bill.
In addition, many times while watching a thriller I’ve wanted the main character to bust out a tune, and, if you’ve seen Les Misérables, you know Hugh can do it. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But the most important reason to cast Jackman as the lead male protagonist is because my girlfriend told me I had to ☹ You might ask why I just didn’t start out by saying this, thereby saving us all some time. I could have, but then you would’ve missed out on all the fun.
When it comes to casting the lead female role, Jessica Jones, I have to go with Scarlett Johansson. Why Scarlett? Because of her range, her versatility, her instincts, her…ahem, well, let’s just leave it at that. But I think Ms. Johansson has the necessary spark and wittiness to play the part. The final reason is that if my girlfriend gets Hugh, I get Scarlett.
Oh, and that ability to burst out in song? Well, our Scarlett is no stranger to the musical scene. In fact, if you’ve never heard her sing, do check out her debut studio album, Anywhere I Lay My Head. But let’s face facts for a minute. Even if Scarlett couldn’t carry a tune though her hand was dipped in paste, who really cares? She’s perfect for the role of Jessica Jones, and once you read the book you’ll see why.
I can’t cast too many more actors without spoiling the plot, but there is one other person who plays a rather large part in the story—the wicked, formidable cardinal, Dottrina. When casting a villain is there any other choice but Alan Rickman? And just in case you’re wondering about the prospects for a sing-off with the protagonists, just watch Sweeney Todd, and you’ll see that Alan is more than simply Severus Snape or Hans Gruber: he’s a villain with a voice. Plus, he’s the one person on whom my girlfriend and I agree. And that, of course, is the clincher.
As you can see, I’ve given very little thought to this question 😉
11 – Where is your favourite place to write? Why?
My favorite place to write is the only place I can write. And that is on my desktop computer in my office. Why? Because I have all the sources I may need at my fingertips.
12 – What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Read, read, read. Read the classics and as much good literature as you can get your hands on. Read widely, too, from poetry and plays to science and politics. If you don’t read well, you can’t write well.
Get bad writing out of your system…by writing. You may have several stories or even novels in you that you must write in order to get them out of your system. In some cases, these will not be salable. That’s okay. Most of us have a lot of bad writing inside of us that needs to get out before we get to the good stuff.
Don’t be a perfectionist. Perfectionism kills. Realize that unlike other professions, say neurosurgery, writers don’t have to get it right the first time. We have the luxury of being able to revise our product as much as we wish. Realize that, and let it free you up in the writing process.
The first draft stinks…but write it anyway. Anne Lamott talks a lot about the shitty first draft. (If you don’t know who Anne Lamott is, check out her book Bird by Bird). Indeed. But that’s okay. Give yourself permission to write lousy first (second and third) drafts. They’ll improve in revisions.
It’s okay not to be in love with writing every second of every day. It’s natural to resent it at times. Don’t stuff these feelings, and don’t be afraid to vent them. Writing is not all sunsets and rainbows. Any writer who is really working will understand your frustration.
Join a writing group. Make sure others read and give you feedback on your writing. Make sure someone other than your parents or significant other reads your work. But also be wary of taking too much constructive criticism from too many people, especially too early in the story writing process—too many writers can spoil the plot (among other things).
Don’t be overly eager to submit to an agent, or a publisher. Before you submit your work , make sure it is free from typos, grammatical, and factual errors. If you can afford it, have a content editor and a copy editor go through your work and polish it until it shines. Don’t submit anything for publication until it represents your absolute, best effort. I think you’ll be surprised how much that will distinguish you from the slush pile. Save your perfectionistic tendencies for the final draft. You’ll be glad you did.
A word on marketing. Realize that when you get published, nine times out of ten, the marketing will fall on your shoulders. Be prepared for this. Start building a readership as early as you can. Social media (e.g., Twitter followers, a Facebook page, a website, etc.) is a good venue for this.
Always strive to improve. Constantly hone your craft by taking courses, going to workshops/conferences, and by reading books on writing. Too many times, I’ve seen writers who think they know it all stop learning. These are often the same writers who refuse to get feedback on their work. Don’t fall into this trap. Hemingway said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
And, finally: Set a modest word count. Avoid setting unrealizable goals, and thereby setting yourself up for failure. I shoot for 500 words a day on the days I write. That’s two pages a day, ten pages a week (taking weekends—or any other two days—off). This may not sound like a lot, but in a year, I have 480 pages, a good-sized novel. Slow and steady often wins the race.
13 – What’s next for you?
Currently, I’m working on the second novel in the Nicholas Branson series. I hope to have that out sometime next year, the earlier the better.
Please share your social media/sales links:
Website: http://www.matthewpetersbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Peters-Author/1434941676798108
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewPeters65
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Peters/e/B00MRSLIRC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2100705.Matthew_Peters
Matthew, thank you so much for speaking to us!
