Cupboard Boy by PT Saunders is an autobiographical story about PT’s childhood, and we had the pleasure of speaking with the author for our blog. Check out this fantastic author and follow them for more amazing stories.
I’m a sixty-year-old ex-serviceman who suffers from PTSD due to my abusive childhood and military service with the Parachute Regiment and other Special Forces units. I served in Northern Ireland and was involved in the Battle for Mount Longdon in the Falklands War in 1982, where I witnessed and experienced some extremely dark moments.
In September 2011, My PTSD made my life unbearable to the point that I attempted to take my own life. Luckily, I had a great doctor who immediately arranged for me to spend a few nights in my local psychiatric unit. However, it was eight weeks before I was discharged.
In 2014 my psychiatrist suggested that if I were to write about my life experience, it might help me with the healing process. My first book, Cupboard boy, chronicles my childhood in an abusive household. I’ve written many more since then.
When did you start writing?
2016
What was it like growing up?
Terrible, My mum and dad divorced when I was aged two. A year later, my mother entered a relationship with a Black man. In the 1960s, racist Britain was not popular. As a result, my mother’s and father’s families disowned us. This allowed my new stepdad to physically and mentally abuse me and my siblings unchallenged.
How was your early life?
Dreadful see the above answer
What has been the biggest influence in your career?
The desire to promote awareness of the people living with PTSD and Complex PTSD
Tell us about your newest release.
Basic Training 2 Grounded. A sequel to Basic Training, Flying by the seat of his pants just when you thought a story couldn’t get any madder, and it’s safe to go back into the library. P T Saunders comes up with a second book in the series. Basic Training II Grounded picks up where the first book Basic Training Flying by The Seat of His Pants, ended. Having attempted to prove that A young Scallywag, Ben Baxter, didn’t have it in him to get into the Paras,’ Our fly decided to follow Ben throughout the grueling twenty-two-week training course. All was going well until some general swotted our fly just before the pass-off parade. In this book, our fly has been reincarnated into Sgt Maj Brynn Williams and the Sgt Major into a fly somewhat temporarily. Unable to come to terms with his reincarnation, our fly is sectioned under the mental health act. Where he meets a few, let’s say interesting Characters, such as Cowboy Dave, Sue, the boxer-short thief, and Spanish, a typically gobby-scouser. Upon his release from the hospital, he completes his mission of proving that Ben doesn’t have what it takes to be a Para. During that mission, he meets the Bus-Hag, Charlotte, the woman with more with a little extra anatomy, and a couple of drunks he nick-names Bill and Ben, the pissed-up men.
Which book of yours would you call your favorite child?
Cupboard Boy
What inspired you to write this book?
My Psychiatrist suggested that I try to write myself well.
What are you usually found doing when you’re not writing?
I tend to do a lot of DIY. (I don’t know. My wife finds so many Jobs). I also love walking along the Yorkshire coast.
What does your writing space look like?
A Box room with a desk, a chair, and my computer. No radio, no TV, No distractions.
If you wrote your autobiography, what would you name it?
From Fighter to Writer
How long did it take to write your novel, and what was your process?
It to a year to write Cupboard Boy. I simply wrote it from memory and didn’t have a plan of attack.
Favorite reads?
An Inspector Calls. J B Priestley
Do you have any book recommendations?
Insurrection By Dan Santos
What’s your next big project?
A horror, “The Girls Just Want to Have Fun.’
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
When you come to a writing block, stop trying and take a walk. It works for me.
Follow PT
www.ptsaunders.co.uk
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