Featured Interview With Peter James Jacklin
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am happily married to Susan, and have a family of two daughters, Jade and Sophie. I love to write, keep fit and enjoy outdoor life.
Age 57, I was born the 19th Day of September, 1957, Guisborough Maternity Hospital, Cleveland, England, United Kingdom.
For the first six months of my life, I lived at Marske, a small coastal town known for its fishing community. From there, my parents took me to New Marske, a former iron ore mining village. It is here that I still reside.
I have a pet dog, Tina – Tina is a crossbreed and was a rescued dog. She is loved, and a part of our family
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The realization came at a very young age. I can remember at Junior school, reading Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’ What a book to captivate the imagination of a young boy! Adventure, Exploration and Excitement. What more could a young boy want for? This book, to this day, comes to the forefront of my mind. It must have been impressive for its words to have remained with me for so long.
I began writing at an early age. But my writing became much more intense when I attended Secondary School. English Comprehension and English Language Lessons, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Roald Dahl for his ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ From poverty to wealth. Taking a child member of a deprived, impoverished family, through an adventurous time of imagination, to wealth. Every child’s dream.
J.K Rowling for her ‘Harry Potter’ series, unbelievable for her imagination to develop and work characters.
Suzanne Collins, ‘Hunger Games.’ How the possibility of the unthinkable could become reality. Futuristic. Hunting of humans to survive. Let the Games begin!
Chris Ryan for his books on his S.A.S experiences – His books give a reader an insight into his military experience. Taking the reader into action without physically being in action themselves.
John Boyne for his ‘The Boy in Striped Pyjamas.’ Wartime reality of opposing children, exchanging places. A feeling of sorrow for the innocent.
My favorite genre is Children’s Fiction.
My Favorite Author: Probably Roald Dahl
Tell us a little about your latest book?
‘Bobby the Sheepdog and the Burglar,’ (Idea for story came from watching a friends sheepdog use its skills to round up and separate sheep). This is an educational story told from the perspective of a dog.
Bobby the Sheepdog opens with an introduction of himself. He then tells how he has been trained by his master, farmer Edwards to round up sheep and return them to the farm. Bobby gives two examples of sheepdog commands. He says there are more commands for him to obey but, for the moment, has not got time to explain – His reason for this being: he has an ‘interesting story’ to tell.
Bobby then goes on to tell his story of how –
One day, on his way home from work with his master, he sees the local Police Sergeant; holding a rolled piece of paper, waiting for them to arrive home.
Bobby wonders what the Police Sergeant could be wanting from his visit?
His curiosity is answered when the Police Sergeant is invited, by his master, into their home, and sees the piece of paper unrolled.
Bobby does not like what he sees.
Following the Police Sergeant’s exit, and night time falling, Bobby is told to keep guard of the door.
What was Bobby to be keeping guard from? And why?
Because of similar questions going on in Bobby’s mind, Bobby, that night, could not get to sleep. He was listening for sounds, outside. Bobby does not like unknown sounds. It scares him!
When Bobby hears an unknown sound coming from a downstairs room at the back of the house, he is really scared!
After Bobby telling himself things will be ‘O.K.’ he plucks up sufficient courage to go and investigate the source of the sound.
What he sees, shocks him. It is a ‘human creature’ that has entered their home, uninvited -and what is more,the creature is holding something that belongs to his master. Taking something without the owners permission is ‘stealing!’ Bobby knows this is wrong. So what Bobby does next is not surprising of a dog. He attempts to deal with the creature – but unfortunately, Bobby cannot quite get his teeth into this problem- it somehow manages to escape him,
Bobby begins questioning himself, wondering if this creature is going to get away. Well, not if Bobby has anything to do with it, he is not.
‘Bobby the Sheepdog and the Burglar,’ took me approximately five weeks to write.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles