Episode 62 – Guest Interview – Peter Billingham 'Gathering Rosebuds' – How to Write a Memoir
We are back in the writers’ room and we have a guest in our hot seat this week!
In this special edition Laura and Pete chat about publishing his book - Gathering Rosebuds in Kerala.
Laura asks Pete:
You’ve finished. You’ve hit publish. How do you feel?
What is a rosebud?
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Did you find any part of the process surprising?
Three things you’ve learnt.
What did you enjoy about this process?
Sell your book in a sentence.
What’s next?
Gathering Rosebuds in Kerala.
Part colourful travelogue, part heart-warming memoir, Gathering Rosebuds in Kerala, is a journey through bustling cities, backwater canals, and the stunning beaches of South-West India, with insightful reflections on facing ageing, discovering meaning in life, and storing life’s special moments forever.
Travel with Peter as he celebrates his upcoming sixtieth birthday, revealing India’s rich history, religions and philosophy through his careful observations. Witness the splendour and majesty of India, side by side with its brutal poverty and prejudice. Along the way, Peter encounters evangelical nuns, experiences remnants of the British Raj, and finds new friends and the kindness of strangers alike. Within this kaleidoscope of Indian culture, colour, and chaos, you’ll also explore how to recognise and store those unique memorable moments — the ‘rosebuds’ of your life.
Do you fear the years of your life passing? This book, if you let it, will transform how you feel about growing older. Instead of viewing time speeding forwards faster, running out, Peter shows how an altered perspective on ageing can help see your future and past are expanding. You might just discover your own fresh perspectives on living, ageing, and even dying.
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We want to hear from you if you have read Pete's book and have questions about the ideas, or writing the book.
Please write to us at - info@derbyshirewritingschool.com
Thanks for listening!
