Brianna Kamienski
Image Credit: Peter H Jones
Imagine talking to a man who has poured his soul into a story with themes of transformation and perseverance. You would even feel the intensity of these themes while talking to Peter H. John, a self-taught author behind
“The Wind in the Forest,” a fantasy epic in every sense. In his latest interview, Peter opened up about the ideas that fueled his writing and why he sees writing as a catalyst for changing the world.
A Spark from a Lifelong Love
Peter is not a polished writer. He’s a regular guy who went into writing with no formal training, just a burning love for high fantasy. What got him to pen “The Wind in the Forest”? It wasn’t one passing moment but a lifelong pull toward the genre, sparked back in the late 1960s when he first opened J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. “That was the single genre that just attracted me,” he said, his voice carrying the awe of a college kid who’d found his calling. Tolkien’s world of elves, dwarves, and epic quests lit a fire in him, one that intrigued him for decades until he finally said, “I can write a story like that too.”
He didn’t stop at Tolkien. Authors like Ursula K. Le Guin and Terry Brooks shaped his vision, but Peter wanted to do more than mimic. “I wanted to add my own life to it,” he told us. His influences weren’t just books; they were pieces of himself, drawn from years of living, observing, and dreaming. “There’s something of me in every character,” he said, even the ones he doesn’t like. It’s that personal touch that makes The Wind in the Forest feel alive, like a world you could step into.
Perseverance: The Heartbeat of the Story
Flip through “The Wind in the Forest,” and you’ll feel one thing pulsing through every page: PERSEVERANCE. Peter calls it his personal mantra: “Keep moving forward, solve problems, never give up.” It’s not the loudest theme in the book, but it’s there, inculcated into the characters’ persona as they face trials that test their resolve. “They have to persevere,” he said simply, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
That grit isn’t just for his characters; it’s Peter’s story, too. Writing a book with no training wasn’t a smooth walk in the park. Early on, he sent his draft to a literary agent, only to get a polite reality check: “Very nice, but there are rules in writing.” Rules? Peter hadn’t even heard of them. But he kept himself motivated and ultimately got the reward, holding his book with his hands. That was a surreal feeling for him.
Transformation and Redemption: The Soul of the Tale
What makes “The Wind in the Forest” hit so hard? For Peter, it’s the idea of transformation and redemption. “The heroes are all transformed by the experience,” he said, his words lighting up with passion. “Past prejudices are set aside, difficulties overcome. Everybody has to pull together.” These aren’t just plot points; they’re the heart of the story, where characters grow, heal, and find redemption through their struggles.
Peter spent the most time on these characters, pouring himself into their journeys. “That’s where the strength of the book lies,” he told us. He sees pieces of his own life in them, from the heroes he roots for to the ones he finds tough to like. “I put something of myself into every character,” he said, his voice soft but sure. It’s personal for him, and it shows especially in the scenes that brought him to tears. “If I’m writing a scene and it brings tears to my eyes, like when a main character dies, I know I’m doing a good job,” he said, unashamed of the emotion.
Wrestling with the Craft
Writing this book wasn’t just about spinning a good story; rather, it was about learning how to tell it. Peter’s biggest hurdle? Those pesky writing rules, especially point of view. “I had no idea what that was,” he admitted with a chuckle. Early drafts had him hopping between characters’ thoughts like a kid skipping stones, but his editor set him straight. “You can’t just say, ‘Bob went to the store,’ then ‘Betty went to the store,’” he explained. “You have to stay in one character’s head.”
That awareness meant revising the entire book, a gut punch for any writer, let alone a first-time author. But Peter leaned into it, working closely with his editor to shape the story into something stronger. “I’m not a perfect writer, and I’ll never be,” he said, “but I’m a good storyteller.” That humility, paired with his relentless determination, turned a rough draft into a polished epic.
The emotional weight of the story was another challenge. Some scenes hit so hard that Peter found himself crying as he wrote. “I loved writing this book,” he said, “but there were difficult parts.” Yet those moments of vulnerability were also his measure of success. If he felt the story’s pain, he knew readers would, too.
A Love Letter to High Fantasy
Peter is not oblivious to his audience. He wrote “The Wind in the Forest” for young adults and adults who love fantasy, but especially for those drawn to character-driven stories. I want readers who are interested in character study,” he said, “and how they overcome problems in a fantasy format.” His book isn’t just about dragons or magic; it’s about people, their flaws, and their triumphs.
A Vision for the Future
Peter’s already looking ahead. He’s working on a sequel to “The Wind in the Forest,” featuring new characters tied to the original story, and he’s got plans for two prequels to come. “I love these characters so much,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “I think about them and dream about them. I’m just going to keep writing about them.” For Peter, this isn’t a one-off; it’s the start of a series, a whole world he’s eager to explore.
He’s also thinking about the bigger picture: the role of stories in a digital age. “The stories I write have a moral basis,” he said, “how to act, how to treat your fellow person.” In a world of screens and noise, he sees literature as a way to ground people, to remind them of timeless values like kindness and perseverance. “I’m just going to keep writing,” he said, his resolve as steady as ever.
Advice for Dreamers
For anyone eager to write their own story, Peter’s advice is short and sweet: “Write, write, write and just keep writing.” It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up, putting words on the page, and getting better with every line. “It doesn’t come automatically,” he said. “You get better as you spend more time with it.” And, of course, his mantra: “Never give up.” Whether you’re a writer, a mechanic, or anything else, that’s the key.
A Story Worth Telling
Talking to Peter, you can’t help but catch his enthusiasm. He’s a guy who loves stories, who fought through doubt and rewrites to bring his vision to life. “The Wind in the Forest” isn’t just a book; it’s a testament to what happens when you believe in something and refuse to quit.
About the Author
Peter H. John is a debut author with a passion for high fantasy and character-driven storytelling. A self-taught writer, he crafted “The Wind in the Forest,” driven by a love for the genre sparked by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. When he’s not writing, Peter dreams up new stories, drawing inspiration from his life experiences and the timeless themes of perseverance, transformation, and redemption.