Member Spotlight: Peter H Gregory

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is the means through which I have been able to help tens of thousands of business and technology professionals learn how to better manage and protect their IT environments. Written language is a long-accepted medium for conveying ideas and techniques.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? 1. Move to another section of the text and continue there. 2. Ask AI for ideas on how to approach a subject. 3. Take a walk. 4. Go back to the related research material to see if anything else comes to mind. …and my favorite: 5. JUST START TYPING – with eyes closed if possible. Or switch to voice-to-text dictation, as sometimes we can talk about something that’s hard to put into writing.

What is your favorite time to write? Early morning, while my mind is fresh and newly caffeinated, and before the distractions and pressures of the day emerge and distract me.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? When asked about my writing progress on my first book in 1998, I explained that I was writing late at night every night until I literally fell asleep. My colleague explained that I would likely be more productive if I instead went to bed early and awoke at 4am. I did so, and my productivity skyrocketed!

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? The opportunities for helping my readers have never been greater than they are now. Today, even in retirement, I have more book ideas than I can possibly fulfill, giving me the luxury (and the responsibility) of choice.

Peter H. Gregory’s CDPSE: Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer Study Guide is out now with Sybex.