Peter Smart

My name is Peter Smart. I graduated with a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling a few years ago, and had the intention to start counseling shortly thereafter...but then a muse started to whisper into my ear. She gave me an idea about "The Pied Piper of Hamelin," but with a twist: In my story, he is transformed from a vengeful villain into a compassionate hero while at the same time, it touches upon a subject that gives parents the opportunity--if they so choose--to talk to their children about something that has, in my opinion, been swept under the rug for far too long. Without giving away too much of the story, I will just say that one of the most poignant things I learned from my master's studies was how traumatic childhood experiences are adversely impacting so many people in so many different ways--all across the world. This is a story about challenge and adversity--but it is also a story about hope, resilience, and empowering children, which includes strategies at the end of the book to help them stay safe in this uncertain world as well as a wide range of resources they can turn to in a time of need. And so...when my muse started whispering to me about all of these things, I knew I had to hold off on my career until I fully listened to what she had to say. I live in the lush Pacific Northwest and love to be doing anything out in nature, including hiking, biking, rafting, exploring new things, getting lost, oh...and I also love contra dancing. Now that this nearly two-year project is coming to a close, I hope to begin counseling in the very near future. I am also a member of Mensa, the world-renowned, high-IQ society.