Where did you ever come up with the title “Why Women Want What They Can’t Have”?

Peter: Well, the title of the first few printings was originally called Women Want What They Can’t Have. Because I went with another publisher, we decided to change the title a bit and also there was more content added to the book. The title itself was given to me by a female colleague who asserted “women want what they can’t have when she was referring to relationships. I liked the quotation, so I thought I would create the title as such.

Fear Factors has several, very unique short stories. Some are crazy as heck. What led you to write them or where did you get your ideas?

Peter: I actually wrote Fear Factors back in the early 90’s when I was a Master’s degree student. I used to write to escape scholastic projects. I enjoyed writing and I have always enjoyed old shows like The Twilight Zone so I thought I would create my own rendition in Fear Factors. Fear Factors is actually based on the evil humans do to one another. Sure, I would call it a combo of horror/sci-fi/erotic fantasy, but underneath the “window dressing” and monsters lurks humans. I write about the bad things we do to ourselves and are afraid to accept or admit we are capable of doing them. I also loved the TV show The X-Files as it was very awesome to watch. It's interesting but some of the stories in Fear Factors and my latest novellas In The Shadows reflect the characters Mulder and Scully to a degree with a more Alfred Hitchcock slant (Hitchcock movies have always been my favourite in terms of writing inspiration.)

What is Fast Food Dating?

Peter: Fast Food Dating is a two tier project. Firstly, it was the title of a book I started working on last year. Friends of mine liked the premise; interviewing dating service providers, consumers of the services and seeing where things led as far as relationships go. There was so much interest, we decided to start production on a video version documentary.

The book which is now out is based on the hundreds of interviews we conducted across Canada as well as the USA. Perhaps one of the greatest highlights was presenting it at a singles night at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) in Toronto where there were "hundreds" of singles attending and getting the chance to meet so many of them and interviewing them.

What are Penis Envy and Breast Envy?

Peter: I always get asked...what the heck are those books about? Where did the idea(s) to write them come from? Well, you start off by blaming Sigmund Freud! LOL Freud coined the concept "Penis Envy" which has been around for the better parts of 2 centuries now. I thought Freud was brilliant in some of his theories! He nailed many of his theories well before the advancement of any media, let alone modern technology. So many of his theories apply today. In my book Penis Envy, I took Freud's theory one step further and applied it to men instead of women who he originally intended it for. In modern society, men and guiltier of possessing penis envy based on research. Conversely, I came up with Breast Envy! Freud has nothing on me there! Actually, sex therapist and author Dr. Debra Laino and I wrote the book Breast Envy to look at how women co-exist and compete with each other in today's world.

Where do you find the time to write and produce TV stuff when you have a full-time job teaching?

Peter: First of all, I don’t view teaching as a job! It is my career and something I am very passionate about. I love teaching and I love the rapport with students. I would so far as to comment that students are my educators as well! They teach me a lot about life and the material not found in texts. Lecturing is a pleasure and something I look forward too at summer’s end.

What did you study at school?

Peter: Well, where do I begin? I completed my undergraduate in psychology before graduating to a road trip to Europe to figure out what I wanted to do next. After seeing 10 countries, I figured out I wanted to do a Master’s degree which I did in counselling. Once I was finished that, I started my Ph.D. in psychology at an original university of it’s kind, a university without walls where you do all your research and courses on your own. Man, it sure as heck is a lot of work. Trust me, it’s a lot easier just to sit in on lectures. I finally completed my dissertation and graduated. Because the university was not and is still not Nationally accredited, it posed some problems as far as getting certification and licensure, so I went back to school and completed other diplomas, degrees and certification programs to legitimize my education politically so to speak. You could be a doctor in another country, come to Canada and not be allowed to practice medicine because your M.D. was not internationally or nationally accredited! It sucks, but that’s politics and well-known colleagues have always said, “it’s not the degree that matters, but the brains behind the scenes that got the degree”. I’ll buy that!

What books do you like to read?

Peter: I read just about anything if it entertains me and I have the time. I like to read positive, self-help books which help push you further. As a teenager and university student, I read a lot of Stephen King, Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston, and Michael Crichton. I would have to say I enjoy reading suspense, thrillers, fantasy and have enjoyed the various series of vampire novels.

What’s your favourite movie(s)?

Peter: That’s a tough one to call. I have one for each genre. I would say I loved a lot of the 80’s movies like Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink, Say Anything and Some Kind Of Wonderful. They were movies about hope and maturing. I liked the Lethal Weapon series, first 2 movies very much as all the Indiana Jones movies. I like to watch a lot of movies. Perhaps the best way to summarize the answer to your question is, I love comedies, romantic comedies, thrillers, dramas and horror flicks. I guess I am open to all! I do have to say, Joe Pesci is the bomb! After seeing him Raging Bull, Good Fellas and of course Lethal Weapon, he is an icon in my mind...he makes laugh hysterically. Put My Cousin Vinny together with the Snicker's commercial he starred in...priceless laughter!

What’s your favourite TV shows?

Peter: That’s easy...there are many past and present! To this day I am still a lover of the X-Files and Seinfeld. I never tire of watching either of them! I also loved watching and was hooked on Lost. I am still hooked on Survivor and Amazing Race in terms of reality shows. I guess you can still find me looking forward to watching The Vampire Diaries as well as Haven.

What music do you listen to?

Peter: I was a Beatles and Elvis fan as a kid. I liked a lot of the 80’s music as that was when I was having fun in high school and university so times were special. Today, I would say my favourite band, which has been the same for a long, long time is definitely Van Halen, or should I say Van Hagar! Sammy definitely rocks the band! I like a variety of music and like new stuff.

Words of wisdom?

Peter: Never give up! Always chase after your dreams. People will tell you you’re nuts, it will never work, etc. Stay away from them. They are negative thinkers and there are already enough black clouds in the sky when it rains. Look for those who will let the sun shine in your life!

Who were your role models growing up?

Peter: Definitely my parents! Also, most if not all teachers and professors who helped me to get to where I am today with their words of wisdom. Those friends closest to me who know who they are, were and still are number one in my books!

Who have you most enjoyed working with professionally in your writing endeavours? Peter: Wow! There have been so many! I met a lot of awesome people when I was Editor-in-Chief of Vices: The Magazine for Addictions, Habits and Well-Being. Through that project as well as some of my books, I would have to say some of the greatest thrills were partnering or working with the likes of Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Eric Clapton's treatment centre Crossroads, Dr. Robert Schuller, Joyce Meyer, William Glasser, Kathy Ireland, Pat Summerall, lots of folks at Universal Studios and of course Joe Mayer who was assistant director to Garry Marshall for the movie Pretty Woman and then Braveheart with Mel Gibson. I miss my chats with Joe...he was a great inspiration! There were many cool musicians, actors and artists I have come to know and befriend and it has only been an enriching experience.

What is one of your favourite books you have written or are most proud of?

Peter: Well, if you are referring to published, I would have to say The Lost Fountain. I find it one of my most inspiring books as well as I have the chance to help the Progeria Foundation of America. However, with that said, Fear Factors is still close to the heart as it was my first novel and a growing experience. Unpublished and coming soon is Return To Grace which to me is a book about wearing your heart on your sleeve and feeling a plethora of emotions...very emotional book and close to the heart!

If you were dining out, where are we most likely to find you or what would you be eating? Peter: Wow, you'd find me "eating around" so to speak! LOL I love Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and sushi cuisine. Let's just say a frequent my fair share of Asian restaurants. But...nothing beats an authentic thin crust pizza loaded with toppings and a couple pounds of extra crisp, hot Buffalo-style chicken wings...sign me up!

Do you have any "vices" yourself that you enjoy or dislike? Peter: All good vices! LOL Definitely coffee and great lattes! I have a thing for Starbucks, but I two-time them and attend some of the smaller, personable cafes. And I will admit... I am hooked on NHL hockey (self-admitted diehard Buffalo Sabres fan forever) and NFL Football (Steelers all the way, but like the Bills as well). And of course I am a book and movie junkie!