I’d like to welcome Peter Thomas Pontsa to the blog for #WriterWednesday!
A few of your favorite things: My favorite things are more like activities than actual things. Writing is high on the list, however, I love the theatre; in particular, attending the Stratford Festival in Ontario is one of my favourite things. Coupled with my passion for British Sports cars, a perfect summer day for me is a wonderful drive in my convertible to Stratford followed by a picnic lunch with my wife Angela and then a musical. Canoeing on the lake and gardening are two more of my favourite things.
Things you need to throw out: Blue jeans and tee-shirts.
Things you need for your writing sessions: Distraction free surroundings. I used to write in my old business office which is a very interesting place. The walls are adorned with car trophies, car models and memorabilia and the view out the large sliding door and windows is beautiful. I found I was looking at these things which were distracting me from my writing. Now, I have taken over our library, which is a much smaller room in our home, but it’s cozy, and there are no distractions so I can concentrate on my work. Also, having a dedicated space gets me into the mindset of writing the moment I sit at my antique rolltop desk.
Things that hamper your writing: I try to give myself time to write every day, unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way. Like all of us, there are regular household chores to do, shopping, and other obligations that are a necessary part of life. During the summer months, when the convertible calls to me, or when outdoor chores like mowing the lawn require my attention, time management becomes paramount so that I can fit in the activities I love to do and the ones I need to do.
Things you love about writing: I love the creative process. The opportunity to create a story out of nothing, is magical and one of the most pleasant surprises when characters become as real as you or I. It's exciting when a character stands up and says notice me and plays a larger role in the book then anticipated.
Things you hate about writing: I am old school and tend to handwrite my work. Writer’s cramp is quite the reality. Later, I transcribe my work using voice to text software. I find it particularly frustrating when the dictation program will transcribe a word, I did not say at all. Some of the results can be quite humorous, and perhaps slightly off colour.
Hardest thing about being a writer: Being distracted and losing my focus. If I could soundproof my writing room, I would as I find external sounds problematic.
Easiest thing about being a writer: Withdrawing into a different world, where I can focus on my writing is a fantastic feeling for me. When in the zone, the writing becomes effortless.
Things you never want to run out of: Ideas. Fortunately, I have a rich dreamworld, thus a shortage of ideas has never been an issue for me.
Things you wish you’d never bought: I tend to make careful decisions based on tons of research, prior to making my purchases and can’t really think of anything that I wish I hadn’t purchased.
Words that describe you: Hard working focused and dedicated.
Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Hard working focused and dedicated – only because the focus can be to the detriment of other projects that need to be done.
Favorite foods: My family is of Greek Macedonian heritage. My mother was born in a village in northern Greece. One of the delicacies from her village is dish called zelnik. It is similar to the Greek version, which is called spanakopita, however instead of the delicate layers of phyllo pastry being filled with spinach, they are filled instead with feta, ricotta and sauteed leeks. One taste of that, and I am transported back to my mother’s kitchen.
Things that make you want to gag: Chicken innards. On one of our country drives in the convertible several years ago, my wife and I were driving down a backroad where we encountered a spillage of discarded chicken parts. There was no way to turn around, so we had to go forward. Driving through that horrific and rotting mess was an odor I'm never going to forget. I doubt the car detailing business will soon forget either! It was a first for all of us.
Favorite music or song: Poinciana by Ahmad Jamal.
Music that drives you crazy: Punk Rock.
Favorite beverage: Heineken 0.
Something that gives you a sour face: Anything sour, like lemons, and vinegar.
Favorite smell: Blooming peonies.
Something that makes you hold your nose: Rotting chicken innards.
The coolest person you’ve ever met: Peter Appleyard, who sadly passed away in 2013, was an extremely talented jazz vibraphonist, percussionist and composer. He was famous in the 1970s for his performances with Benny Goodman. In 1992 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to jazz and was well known in the global jazz community.
In 2012, on one of our tours in my 1970 xke Jaguar, which I have since sold, we stopped at a restaurant called Heaven on 7 Bistro & Pub in Rockwood, Ontario. As we were enjoying our lunch, Angela and I noticed an older gentleman stopping at each table making enquiries about something or other. When he reached our table, he said, “Is that your e-type out there?” When I replied it was, he said, “Hi, I’m Peter Appleyard. Mind if I join you?” We spent a wonderful afternoon chatting with this engaging and charismatic individual.
The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Peter Appleyard looked older and more distinguished than any of the pictures or videos I had seen, which is why I didn’t recognize him right away when he introduced himself.
