Greenwood Grad Publishes First Novel

For debut novelist Peter Wilson (’07), the path to publication began at Greenwood.

 

“It really all started in Grade 11 Writer’s Craft, with Ms. Walcott,” he says. “She really encouraged free writing, and writing for yourself. She always stressed that if you have something on your mind, you can get it out by writing.”

 

After he graduated from Greenwood in 2007, Peter headed to Queen’s University, where he majored in Film & Media Studies. It was at university that Peter set a goal for himself: to write a novel.

 

“I would say, ‘Let’s see if I can get 5,000 words done.’ Once I got there, I would say, ‘Now let’s get 10,000 words done.’ And at the end of undergrad, I had a book.”

 

That book is Peter’s first novel, Defenseless. In this first-person narrative, the narrator’s life is changed forever when a fight with two escalates into a vicious beating by six. As he pieces together what happened, desire for justice becomes thirst for violence - and victim becomes perpetrator.

 

“I really looked up to young authors, and I felt I had a unique story to tell,” Peter says, when asked about his inspiration for Defenseless. “I always knew writing was something I wanted to do.” Defenseless was published in late May, and has been getting wonderful reviews.

 

What advice does Peter have for budding young authors?

 

“Read and write every day, even if it’s just a little bit,” he says. “Whether it’s 50 words or 5,000 words, you will thank yourself for doing it.”

 

Peter doesn’t underestimate the importance of reading when it comes to being a successful writer, and he cites two people as his inspiration to read.

 

“Mrs. Walcott had us read 1984, by George Orwell, and that was one of the first books I really loved,” he says. “She always took care to point out books that I would enjoy.”

 

The other person? His grandmother.

 

“She was an English teacher, and she was always very encouraging,” he says. “And she always gave me books for presents!”

 

Defenseless, published by BPS Books, is available at Chapters, Amazon, and other book retailers. Peter recently finished his second book manuscript, and is now looking for a publisher.