Discussion with Christopher Mechling - Peter: The Untold True Story discussion

Hi!

I look forward to discussing Peter with you. Please share your favorite characters and scenes.

As a courtesy to those who haven't read the book yet, please use spoiler tags to hide any key plot details you choose to mention.

Also, I'd love to see how many references to Peter Pan you found!


Best Regards,
Christopher Daniel Mechling

I wanted to thank everybody for joining in our new group. I am looking forward to discussing my book with all of you. I will check the group for new messages regularly, and will respond as much as I am able.

Writing Peter: The Untold True Story was a wonderful journey, and now, hearing reader's experiences is uplifting. As a writer, I am as much influenced by my characters as they are by me, and therefore writing scenes can sometimes be a very emotional process. Knowing I captured those emotions well enough in my writing that other people feel them later in reading is a great encouragement.

Some of you may have questions about the historical aspects of this story. While this book was intended to be fun for readers of all ages, I also aimed to tell a tale based in fact (as much as possible), so I will be happy to answer your questions on those topics too.

Again, thanks for joining!

Best Regards
Chris

Glad to welcome several more members to the group! Thank you all for your interest in my book.

Best Regards
Chris

Writing Peter was a challenging, fun, and sometimes tear-jerking experience.

You know how when you really get into a book, the words disappear and you are there, in that scene with the characters?

I don't know if this is true for all writers, but for me, when I am in a groove writing, it is like that. And if I am not there, then I peck away at the page until it disappears and I am back in that world.

What were your favorite scenes in Peter?

Since you are asking for a scene, this can count as a mini-spoiler.

So far, my favorite scene is the wedding dance one. I can picture it as it's written and it draws out the personalities of so many characters.

I haven't finished reading the book yet. I'm enjoying it too much to rush it but still wish I could find more time for reading.

Christine wrote: "So far, my favorite scene..."

Thanks for posting on the thread and sharing your one of your favorite scenes. I am glad you enjoyed the interplay between the characters during the wedding dance- it was fun to write and don't worry- I don't think mentioning it counts as a spoiler, because you didn't include any details of what happened.

I've had a number of people send me direct messages about their favorite scenes, not wanting to spoil anything for other readers- so I wanted to point out you can use spoiler tags in your message to hide certain details. To do this just type (without the dot) <.spoiler> before the spoiler and <./spoiler> afterward. This will protect readers who haven't gotten to that point in the book yet.

I'm definitely enjoying the book. I like how Peter's character is portrayed even w/out him saying much. I'm able 2 see the scenes while I read, which I feel is very important in order to the enjoy it.

Sheree wrote: "I like how Peter's character is portrayed even w/out him saying much. I'm able 2 see the scenes while I read, which I feel is very important in order to the enjoy it."

Sheree, you've hit on one of the central challenges of telling the story of Peter the Wild Boy, because historically, we know he spoke very little, and yet, he made a big impression on a lot of people, including the Royal Family.

Being a feral child, living alone in the wild to the age of twelve, there certainly are some ways in which Peter might not have developed fully, but he must have had other qualities which offset these. If you read enough different accounts of his life, you start to get a sense of what these other qualities were.

Some historians have dismissed Peter as simply being a boy of limited capacities (other similar labels I will not repeat have also been applied), but if that was all he was, why would he have been so beloved by those who knew him? Why would he have remained famous, from the age of twelve up into his seventies when he passed away? Why would he still be remembered today? I think putting labels like that on someone often diminishes their humanity, and give us an excuse not to look deeper into their character.

There was definitely something special about Peter, and I've tried to convey that through the depictions of his actions, and through other characters' reactions and observations of him.

I have drawn comparisons between Peter the Wild Boy and Peter Pan, not only because in my research I found many circumstantial connections between the historical Wild Boy and the fictional Peter Pan, but also because I believe Peter was in fact, the real-life Boy Who Never Grew Up.

I think that children and people who appreciate childhood, or who remain young at heart themselves, will best understand Peter the Wild Boy's innocent nature.

Since publishing Peter: The Untold True Story, I have received messages from many readers about my book, and about Peter Pan. I enjoy receiving these, and have been happy to respond as much as I am able.

I recently received a moving message from a reader who shared how books like Peter Pan and Harry Potter had provided an escape for her at difficult times in her childhood. As a girl, she had imagined Neverland and Hogwarts as being real places. She also shared how in growing up, it became harder for her to find that same magic in books. She now finds solace in music. When she saw my book, Peter: The Untold True Story, it sparked her interest to think there had once been a real Boy Who Never Grew Up. Her message was well-written, and while everyone’s personal trials are different, I think her experience in childhood and in growing up is more universal than she may realize. What she wrote inspired me to write a lengthy response, and I would like to share some of that response here today.

* * *

Thank you for writing to me and sharing your personal experiences. It is always moving to receive a message like this from a reader- to know how a book can impact someone's life.

From one, unimaginative point of view, writing is empty, meaningless. "Peter Pan is just make-believe. There's no such thing as magic." And yet, across space and time, the written word allows us to know that things we cannot see or touch do exist, because if we can decipher the text, if we can read what another human being has written, and if that message tallies with things we have seen and felt ourselves, then there is some truth in it, even if it is hidden in fiction. What if Peter Pan was real, and this was your letter from Hogwarts?

You seem to have some writing ability- have you tried your own hand at writing? Not for school or work, but for yourself, and for the ones you love? Ray Bradbury suggested that fantasy and science fiction are not simply an escape; he compared writing fantasy and science fiction to the means by which Perseus confronted Medusa. We look at the monsters in our lives indirectly, through the mirror of our writing, and in this way we take aim and strike.

If you love music, and Peter Pan, and Harry Potter, then don't let the world convince you that it is all just make-believe. Believe. Create. Fill your life with the things you love, and seek the truth in them. Don't give up on your dreams. Dream bigger, and be willing to put in the effort to make your dreams come true.

Life is right here, in the middle of the dust and decay of the world. If you can't find anyone else like yourself, keep doing what you love anyway- flowers don't find each other until they rise out of the dust and bloom. And if you are the only flower to bloom in the midst of a desert- what a sight to behold!

There are some things that are worth believing in, no matter what.

* * *

The reader responded and confirmed, among other things, that indeed she did enjoy writing, and had dreamed of becoming an author, but the task seemed daunting for a number of reasons, including some practical concerns from family members about career stability, as well as the artistic challenges of creating a rich fantasy world, filling it with vibrant, vital characters, and finding the magic words to transport her readers into that world. She asked me if I could share some advice for someone starting out at novel-writing, understanding that there is not one specific method, and everyone has their own techniques.

I resolved immediately to write a further response to the reader, but also reflected that other readers might benefit from this. So I will be addressing my next response not only to her, but to any readers who may hold an abiding interest in writing.

In discussing the art of writing, I can only speak from my own experience. I hope that this will be helpful to you. Check back regularly, as I plan to follow up with several more installments on this theme.

Her story is universal for sure, I can easily see myself in her.
I totally agree with your beautiful words, I think that reading a book, whether the story has some truth in it or not, creates a connection between the characters and yourself, and not only, there's also a connection between the writer, who at some point wrote down on paper feelings, fears, emotions, and the reader who immerses him/herself in those wor(l)ds. Just like the girl who wrote to you, I find an escape in the books I read, it's always a different world, a different life, a different avventure, I just take a break from reality. Even before starting reading your book about Peter Pan's true story, I've always thought that he was real, he existed for real, maybe not on an island in the space, but in each one of us, I've always thought that at a certain point of our lives we don't want to grow up, we refuse to grow old. I haven't finished the book yet, but I already know that Peter Pan is real, it is for me. Maybe I don't believe in magic itself, but I believe in the magic of words and of other people's stories.

I, too, can very easily relate.

Hardship: a compound word. Beginning with the word "hard", a difficulty, and ending with a means of transportation, "ship", for us to find something to carry us away.

As many times as we find ourselves drowning in a lake of life's uncertainties, we have to understand that we are not alone. Perhaps, the world we belong to is not above the surface, and it was our job all along to let go and sink into a new, unfamiliar world, only to discover it for ourselves and others like us. Easier said than done, I assure you, but it is not impossible. Reality is harsh, life is cruel, death is inevitable, and magic... well, magic is what we make it. The worlds of Hogwarts and Neverland may be just words on a page, but it takes our imaginations and love for the characters to make them come alive. As Rowling once said, "We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better". Books are just other people's imaginations written on paper. So pick them up, dive into them, don't think twice, and enjoy the journey. Peter is real, as is Harry, we are them, and they are us. Music and words are created to move us, mentally, physically, to transcend our current state, and that is truly magical.

We use these things as an escape... and before we know it, we can't find that magic anymore. Whether another book series can't live up to it, or maybe we've worn down the pages of our old stories; but those stories never really leave us. They're always there, always a part of us, and that is something that we, as readers, as writers, as creators of unknown worlds and journeys, strive to find.

You're never alone.
Read. Listen. Create.

I haven't read the book yet, but what made you want to further explore Peter's world? I've seen a lot of authors doing this lately with Peter Pan and Oz being the two most reworked pieces so far, so I'm just curious as to why you chose Peter's world?

Erin wrote: "...What made you want to further explore Peter's world?"

They say that truth can be stranger than fiction. James Barrie's Peter Pan is a wonderful fantasy, that I have loved since childhood. What moved me to write this novel is the idea that there were real-life characters and events that inspired Barrie's work, and that the true historical tale was even richer and more poignant than the fairy tale it inspired. Also, the fact that no one had written about this before was both surprising and compelling.

In reading a fairy tale, we suspend disbelief and discriminating thinking and return, at least for a while, to a state of innocence. But sooner or later we know we must return to the "real world," and with that thought, the fairies perish, the colors fade, and the lights all dim.

What if Peter Pan existed in the real world? What if the Boy Who Never Grew Up were flesh and blood? What if he in fact lived, and never lost his innocence? Wouldn't that be a tale worth telling- a tale worth reading?

Besides, Peter, King George, Princess Caroline, Amelia, Lord Hervey, and Tomochichi would never let me rest if I did not tell their story.

Hi first of all I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to read his book.

I would love to win your book because the plot interested me and the story of Peter Pan is my favorite since he was a child

The story is very original encounter as most authors do another version of the story but you tell the story before the original story.
Therefore I wanted to ask what inspired him to create the story, as did the idea, and how was the process of writing the book?

Best regards

Hey! I'm glad you decided to do another giveaway.

I would like to win this book because I always need a new book in my hands, a new story to discover, and I would love to know more about that one!

My question is: What are you the most proud of in this book?

Kind regards.

Thank you for this giveaway :)

Winning this book would be a great deal for me. I've always loved it when people would take the time to research and share something they discovered about it. For me, I always have a deep desire to find out the inspiration and meaning to certain things I love like this.

As for my question, I'm not really sure where to start. If this is a list of questions, I do apologize in advance if it gives you too much trouble.

Is any of this book inspired from your childhood or a child in your life? How did you come upon this story? Do you intend to do more books like this novel, exploring the history of such beloved tales that inspire us? What other stories have you written? What authors inspire you to write? What do you think is the best portrayal of peter pan in social media(disney, etc.) and why? Did that have any influence on the book as well?

I haven't read the book yet, and I am super excited to do so...so I would really love the opportunity to win a copy! I've been fascinated with fairy tales and magical stories for as long as I can remember. I suppose I always wanted to believe that a with a little pixie dust, anything was possible. Reading Peter Pan a child and reading it as an adult were two different experiences. I remember watching 'Hook' for the first time as a kid, and thinking what a cool concept that was, if Peter did grow up. Then he is portrayed completely differently (as a villan, really, on ABC's Once Upon A Time.

What was it about the original Peter Pan that spoke to you the most? Was there a moment or a scene that made you think "I need to tell his story"? As far as writing in general goes, what is the most useful advice anyone has given you about the craft, and what would you tell other aspiring writers (such as myself)?

Thanks for the giveaway, and the opportunity to discuss this with you! :D

Christopher,

What made you decide to write about Peter Pan?

I would love to win a copy of the book because Peter Pan is my favorite novel. I try to read it once a year and I'm excited to share the stories with my future children.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Jamie Jenkins

You are truly a wonderful author and human being for doing this giveaway, so thank you. My question is:

What was the hardest part of writing this novel for you?

I would love to win a copy because fairy tale retellings/origins hold a special place in my heart. I have loved Peter Pan since I was a child and the concept of reading an origin story about him sounds amazing. Just the idea of taking such classic stories and making them into stories like these is what makes it so exciting so I really look forward to it!

Belinda

Hello Christopher,

I would greatly enjoy having the chance to win your book "Peter The Untold True Story." I have always greatly enjoyed fairytales of all sorts and would like to add your book to my vastly growing collection of fairytales. In all my time reading re-telling's my biggest question would be what aspects of Peter Pan did you keep, but I think I would like to find that out for myself, keep the adventure.

So, I guess my question for you is from one creative writer to another. When you began writing your book, how many first sentences did you go through till your mind slipped away and your first page started coming together?

Thank you,
Charity Cano

I am excited to have another chance to win "Peter the Untold Story". I want to read it because Peter is a character that spans the generations and each new twist on his story is fun and captivating. So many ways to look at what he does and why.

My question, then, is this: What makes your twist unique to other stories retold out there and how did you come up with the concept??

Thank you again for the invite!! <3

I don't have a copy of your wonderful book yet; thus, I haven't read it yet. I'm thrilled to discover it's based on the true tale of Peter the Wild Boy. When writing this book, did you only research Peter, or did you also read about other feral children that have studied throughout the ages?

I excited to read this story i always been interested in peter pan. What made you decided to write the true story versus writing a retelling of the disney version? I would like to win the book so i can share it with my son who is ten and has seen the disney movie and i like to share with him the real stories behind movies or books we read. Especially when they are based on real people.

Do you wish you could be Peter Pan???? Hopefully we can all have a bit of Peter Pan in us, right? I'd love to win your book & read your perspective on being eternally a "non" grown up!!!!!!! Grown Ups are boring - we all need to stay connected to our inner child!

My question is, what made you decide to write this book?
I would love to win this book because I would love to find out the story behind the story and learn a bit more about the origins of Peter Pan :)

What are your viewpoints on life, death, and immortality, especially when writing?

Knowing that Barrie wrote for a lost friend, trying to maintain his life in the stories of Pan, I find it interesting that we choose to create fictional worlds and characters to mask, or reveal, our thoughts and opinions.

I have always had a fascination with Peter Pan. As a child, I felt more comfortable in nature, like that was were I belonged. The idea of never growing up and not having a typical home appealed to me in a way that most children (and adults) generally scoff at. I would love to read this novel because I feel it will add to my love and adoration for this story.

Thank you for this opportunity! Best of luck!

Thank you Christopher for inviting me to the discussion. I must admit that I have not had the pleasure of reading Peter: The Untold True Story, though it is in my que of books to read.

I have always been fascinated with Peter Pan and have enjoyed the comments posted here. I believe there is a bit of Peter in all of us and I am curious as to the "untold story". Obviously I would love to win so that I could begin reading! I do work quite a lot and also read for a small publishing company, but I definitely hope to read your novel soon!

Thank you again, and all the best!

I would like to know what inspired you to write your version of Peter Pan?? Would really love to read your version! :) Hope I'm one of the lucky ones to win your book !!!

I would love to win this book. I have always loved Peter Pan.

I am curious about what led you to write about this. Were you always fascinated with the story of Peter Pan as a kid? Did you have other favorite characters besides Peter Pan?

I would be very interested to receive a copy of your book. It is difficult to purchase in Thai bookstores or online. But more importantly, I've been interested in analytical critiques of Peter Pan and Neverland for a couple years. I've read articles through the lens of feminism or psychology, and even a few through post-colonialism. This year, I plan to pursue a marathon of reading Peter Pan retellings and more theoretical analysis. I think the Untold True Story would be a great addition for my planned reading selection.

My question to you would be: How do you feel the secondary characters (Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, Captain Smee) have contributed to the development (and/or idolization) of Peter Pan within Neverland?

In my university program we have some courses on literature, and about six months ago we discussed why authors write what the write. For example why Virgil wrote the Aeneid,( the reasons were some what political). Being able to read about what made JM Barrie write about Peter Pan, and everything around it would be a great new fountain of knowledge that I don't want to miss out on.
So my question is basically: what drove you to write about Peter? What were the external and internal forces that made you decide that Peter Pan was your thing?

Claudia wrote: "The story is very original encounter as most authors do another version of the story but you tell the story before the original story.
Therefore I wanted to ask what inspired him to create the story, as did the idea, and how was the process of writing the book?"

I have always liked Peter Pan, and when I learned about Peter the Wild Boy, I made an instant mental connection between the two characters. I was surprised no one had made this connection before, and the more I read, the more I became convinced that I had discovered the true story behind Peter Pan. So at that point, it became inevitable that I would write this novel, to introduce the real Boy Who Never Grew Up to the world.

Marine wrote: "What are you the most proud of in this book?"
I love all the poignant little moments that enrich the story, and how the larger emotional arc is maintained. I really appreciate when readers share the scenes that made them laugh out loud or cry.

Many readers have described becoming attached to Peter through the course of the book, and the fact that I was able to evoke such feelings for a character who does not speak much throughout the story is something I am proud of. That was one of the central challenges of writing this book- Peter the Wild Boy is known to have been only spoken a few words through the course of his life in the eighteenth century, and yet he did communicate in very intuitive, human ways, and inspired deep interest and attachment from the people who knew him.

Book Affectionist wrote: "Is any of this book inspired from your childhood or a child in your life? "

The novel is about Peter, as I have come to know him. When an immortal youth sits down on top of your desk and tells you his life story, you listen carefully. Now when I think of Peter, am I reminded of my own childhood, and of other children I’ve known? Of course. But I imagine my readers are similarly reminded of their own experiences. Barrie had it right when he had Peter Pan say, “I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg.” Peter springs from a place in all of our hearts.

"How did you come upon this story? Do you intend to do more books like this novel, exploring the history of such beloved tales that inspire us?"

Discovering the origin of Peter Pan and then writing a novel about it was an unexpected joy. I did not set out to find Peter’s story- Peter found me.

"What other stories have you written?"

Peter: The Untold True Story is the first book I’ve published, but not the first I’ve written. I have many more books to share, and look forward to announcing my next title. When that time comes, my Goodreads fans will certainly be among the first to know. Until then, however, I hope you will patient with my silence.

"What authors inspire you to write?"

There are many authors whose work has inspired me. In the preface to my book, I give thanks to Ray Bradbury in particular, because I was fortunate enough to have known him personally.

"What do you think is the best portrayal of peter pan in social media(disney, etc.) and why? Did that have any influence on the book as well?"

I enjoyed the 2003 live action film version of Peter Pan, as well as Finding Neverland (2004). I’ve watched both these movies several times over the years. However, as I’ve said, the inspiration for my book was Peter himself.

Beverly wrote: "What was it about the original Peter Pan that spoke to you the most? Was there a moment or a scene that made you think "I need to tell his story"? As far as writing in general goes, what is the most useful advice anyone has given you about the craft, and what would you tell other aspiring writers (such as myself)?"

Peter Pan is innocence triumphing over all. I always liked the story, but I never had any inclination to write another version of it, until I found there was a real Peter, who similarly retained his innocence throughout his life.

Advice on writing… one of the things that my father has always suggested to me is to write out my idea first, and edit afterward. I have found this to be very good advice. It’s easy to get stuck when you overanalyze your work in process. There will be plenty of time to do that later.

Outside of my immediate family, the person who gave me the best advice about writing was Ray Bradbury. I wrote something about my experiences with him in my preface to Peter: The Untold True Story. Ray was a great inspiration for me.

On the day I first met Ray, I remember he said to the group, “Now, I know that you’ve all come to hear me talk about the Art of Writing, but I am going to talk to you about Love…” Ray believed we should do what we love, love what we do, and fill our lives to the point of overflowing with the things that inspire us.

From conversations we had, Ray knew I was working on finishing some large projects, and recommended to me that I publish some short stories in the meantime, to introduce myself as an author. He wanted me to get my work out there. Peter: The Untold True Story is 220 pages long, so it’s not exactly short by Ray’s standards, but just the same, I am glad to have begun introducing readers to my work.

To any aspiring writers reading this, I would say start today. Write what is in your heart. Persist, day after day.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had to write his novels on cigarette wrappers while in prisoner in the gulag, and then the guards found the papers and burned them, so that he had to write it all out again. But writing sustained his spirit through that difficult period, when others perished. He survived, and so did his writings. Do not give up.

Jamie wrote: "What made you decide to write about Peter Pan?"

They say that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I felt very lucky to have discovered the true story of Peter, and to have had enough prior experience writing to feel ready to tackle such a subject.

Belinda (TheBookBuddies) wrote: "What was the hardest part of writing this novel for you?"

Finding the time to write was probably the hardest part. Besides that… portraying Peter’s character while having him say very little was a challenge, but also there was the challenge of capturing a sense of the magic of a fairy tale within the constraints of a story based on true historical events. Yet, truth can indeed be stranger than fiction, and I found I did not have to try too hard to bring the tale I envisioned to life.

Charity wrote: "When you began writing your book, how many first sentences did you go through till your mind slipped away and your first page started coming together?"

As I recall, I slipped into that other place pretty quickly.
The very first words I wrote were from the narrator,

“All children grow up, all but one.”

Then I wrote a description of the scene to be visualized…

We see a covered wagon passing along a road in the German countryside. Ahead there is an ancient forest. It is the time of fireflies, and the air is filled with their colorful wings. One particular firefly meanders its way toward the wagon. We hear he voices of a married German couple arguing.

You see, my earliest draft of this story was in screenplay form. In the final draft of my book, The Princess Caroline introduces her narrative like this:

“All children grow up, all but one. His name is Peter and by now, all the civilized world has heard of him. He has captured the public imagination and become a legend, a subject for poets, philosophers and psychologists to write about, and for children to dream of. The children’s tales might be lacking in some details, but on the whole they are more accurate than most other accounts, for children will always understand Peter intuitively, as I did when I first met him.

“I shall endeavor to tell you the true story of my friend Peter, because he cannot tell it to you himself. Afterward I hope you will love him and defend him as I have for the remainder of your days. Pass on to others a true account of the wild boy who would not grow up, who danced with kings and won the hearts of princesses. He defied logic and reason, lived and loved with an innocent heart, and found peace in the midst of a turbulent world.”

Then the prologue begins:

The German city of Hamelin was already familiar to legend when Peter’s story began. The forests outside the city were said to be enchanted, and many folk tales were told about events that took place there. The most famous of these tales you have probably heard- that of a Piper whose music had the power to charm animals and children alike, and how the call of his pipes ultimately led many children into the wild, never to return. I do not know the truth and the fiction of that tale, but it has been suggested to me the legend of it may be related to the Greek stories of Pan, God of Nature as well as of Shepherds and Flocks.
Now no one knows exactly when our wild boy Peter was born, but one thing is clear, he left his parents when he was still young, before they could teach him the lessons that turn a little boy into a man. I have always pictured the scene taking place at twilight in the countryside. A covered wagon traveling down the country road headed toward the ancient forest. Since it was summer, there would be fireflies in the air in great numbers, and perhaps one firefly in particular would meander her way toward the wagon. If she were listening, that firefly might have heard Peter’s parents arguing…

I think there is a longer excerpt from my book you can read here at Goodreads.com on the book page. Better yet, you can buy a copy from Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, or my personal website, and read the complete story!

Traci wrote: "What makes your twist unique to other stories retold out there and how did you come up with the concept??"
Well, there are a lot of authors out there today that are reimagining the stories of popular fictional characters, but I haven’t heard of as many novels being written about the real-life people who inspired those fictional characters, and I am not aware of any other books written on the premise that Peter the Wild Boy was the true-life inspiration for Peter Pan. As for how I came up with the concept, as I’ve said, I didn’t set out to find Peter, Peter found me.

Michelle wrote: "When writing this book, did you only research Peter, or did you also read about other feral children that have studied throughout the ages? "

When I was young I learned about a girl who was found in the wild, and the experiences researchers had trying to help her acclimate to normal life. One thing that stood out in my memory was hearing how happy she was to run out of doors naked in the freezing snow, while her guardians stood by in heavy coats. In writing this book, I certainly did take an interest in the stories of other feral children, but the primary focus of my research was on Peter himself.

Jan wrote: "What made you decided to write the true story versus writing a retelling of the disney version?"

I had no specific desire to write a Peter Pan story, although I loved the book and the movies. But when I found Peter the Wild Boy, it was like a light turning on. After discovering the true story, how could I not write this book?

Joanne wrote: "Do you wish you could be Peter Pan???? Hopefully we can all have a bit of Peter Pan in us, right?"

Yes- I would be very happy to never grow old but always remain young, and yes- Peter is there, in all of us, if we care to pay attention.

Kirsty wrote: "My question is, what made you decide to write this book?"


Love.

Tyler wrote: "What are your viewpoints on life, death, and immortality, especially when writing?"

I’m tempted by your question to write something esoteric, theoretic and vaguely poetic about how one can achieve immortality through writing, but the truth is that life is more precious than any words written on a page, and I hope you live every day of your life to the fullest.

My mother died of cancer a few years ago, and I am grateful for every moment I spent with her. There were difficult times, to be sure, but we made the most of what we had together. If you want to be a great writer, go and do your best to live a great life. Sooner or later, you will find the meaning of the words you are looking for.

Linda wrote: "I believe there is a bit of Peter in all of us and I am curious as to the 'untold story'."

The appeal of the untold story for me, is how the flesh-and-blood Peter managed to live into his seventies and remain an innocent Wild Youth. We see his journey through the eyes of the people who knew him, and we feel how he touched their lives. There is love, action, and adventure, but at the heart of the story is this conflict- how does Peter endure in our world? In the fairy-tale of Neverland, Peter Pan did not have to face certain realities, but in real-life, Peter did have to face them, and still, his innocence triumphed.

JoAnne wrote: "I would like to know what inspired you to write your version of Peter Pan??"

I’ve answered this question in several ways already, but I’ll try to inject something new here, to keep the conversation fresh. In his song “Hurt,” Johnny Cash sang, “You are someone else; I am still right here. What have I become, my sweetest friend? Everyone I know, goes away, in the end… If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself; I would find a way.” I love that song, and I never connected it particularly with this book before- but those particular verses fit in well with the theme. Peter does not change, but everyone around him does. Eventually he loses people dear to him, an experience which threatens to claim the very thing that defines him- his innocence- yet in the face of it all, Peter finds a way to bring light, joy, and hope, not only for himself, but for the ones he loves.

Jenna wrote: "Were you always fascinated with the story of Peter Pan as a kid? Did you have other favorite characters besides Peter Pan?"

I am very eclectic in my choice of heroes. Alongside Peter Pan, you will find a monkey, a seagull, a ragtag band of rabbits, a Terminator, a wandering samurai, Joan of Arc, William Wallace, and many others.

Supranee wrote: "How do you feel the secondary characters (Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, Captain Smee) have contributed to the development (and/or idolization) of Peter Pan within Neverland?"

In my own book, the supporting cast of characters is very important. Peter is defined by his interactions with others, and by their perceptions of him. The same is true in Neverland.

Barrie conjured eighteenth century pirates, Indians, lost boys, and the fairies of Kensington Gardens, into Neverland along with Peter to create a children’s fantasy adventure that marked the Boy Who Never Grew Up as a hero, a leader, and the very ideal of wild youth. And then, having set the stage, Barrie laid the course for Peter to be undone with the introduction of Wendy Darling.

Sarah wrote: "How did your own personal feelings affect the way you wrote your book and the evolution of the characters as the book progressed?"

Funny thing about that- as the author I generally know the plan of things well before they are written, but occasionally my characters do something unexpected. In this project, two characters surprised me by falling in love with each other and getting married. I could not deny their happiness. With the help of King George, we were able to arrange a suitable wedding and reception, and it turned out to be a wonderful event, but it was not something we discussed ahead of time.

This was not the only occasion when my cast took the script into their own hands. Peter, as you might expect, proved himself to be quite the rascal, and I love Princess Caroline too much to question any unexpected choices she might have made. In my process writing, I typically feel what the characters feel and so, if Lord Hervey decides to ad-lib his lines a bit, I give him some rope. It keeps everybody on their toes.

The relationships between the characters are at the heart of this book, and I see bits of myself in all of them. Someone else asked me this week what I am most proud of in my book- I guess the relationships are a part of the answer to that question. Peter and the Firefly, Peter and the Doctor’s Family, Peter and Rose, Peter and King George, Peter and the Deer, King George and Princess Caroline, Princess Caroline and her mother and sisters, Princess Caroline and Peter, Peter and the Queen, Peter and Frederick, Peter and Hervey, Caroline and Hervey, Peter and Tomochichi, Peter and his band of kids, etc.