The art of biography depends on building a knowledgeable network, and constantly folding new elements into the story. It is therefore not ‘linear’ writing.

Peter Elliott, a lawyer by training and practice, will talk about how he ‘tripped’ into becoming a historian focussing on SA themes initially; this was through the sheer fun of writing a succession of articles for journals, starting with ones or two Bishops related characters, Chippy Robinson and his Arnhem experiences, and Angus Duncan, commander of the CT Highlanders killed in action in Italy in the last days of the war.

He will describe his writing process: “Subjects drive me; I plan one thing but am driven to another; how I research globally from the wilds of the Languedoc”. And then how he starts with an outline, and haphazardly folds in new parts of the story as he discovers them (he envies the novelist who can write from page 1 to 300 in linear fashion!).

The next step in the process which Peter will speak on is turning himself into a publisher. His book, Thomas Muir is his fifth book. He has a professional team, producing his books under his own publishing imprint, Cantaloup Press.

All his books are now on Amazon and he will talk about his Amazon KDP publishing experience

Join Peter for what will be an interesting look into the mind of a writer and the process of writing.