We are honoured to work with as many authors as we do at Pegasus Publishers – each with their own stories to tell. Their worlds are singular, their characters are relatable, and their creativity truly knows no bounds.

This is Author Life, a feature on the Pegasus Blog, that opens the door to each of our author’s creative process and previous literary experience, offering you – the reader – an opportunity to learn a little about the mind behind the novel.

Meet C. L. Roberts, author of the historical short story collection, Six Tales From Shakespeare.

Could you tell us three interesting facts about yourself?

I have designed, dug, and planted nine gardens, supervised the building of two houses, finished the shell of another, converted a barn, renovated a cottage and re-designed three other very different homes – a chapel, a granary and a bungalow.

I married a doctor then a farmer and took part in their world of work, created a trout farm in the Cotswolds initiated a farm shop and markets, created a smoked trout pate that won gold at the Bath and West Show a pot of which was bought by King Charles when he was Prince.

I have travelled the world and lived in Australia and now live in Charente Maritime, France. I learned Italian and spent three months in a dilapidated flat in the poor part of Milan writing ‘Betrayal’ a novel set in Italy supervised by Tim Parks.

In your own life, what influences and inspires you to write?

The generosity of ordinary people, their tolerance, good will, and unselfishness, their suffering and dignity. The dynamics of human relationships: the support of friendship, the love, need and duty of family relationships, the complexities of marriage – two strangers making one shared world.

Which book or author has had the biggest impact on you, and why?

John Steinbeck ‘Cannery Row.’ The first paragraph. When I was 13 yrs old and an avid reader the first paragraph was a revelation of the possibilities of literature. It could deal honestly with anything. ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ ‘East of Eden,’ all of Steinbeck followed then I went on to Ernest Hemingway, D.H. Lawrence and, in darker times, Dostoyevski, Arthur Koestler, Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ and a love of science fiction – the Hugo Award winners. When I find an author that chimes with where I’m at I read all their books – William Golding, Ann Tyler, Julian Barnes, Anita Brookner, recently Clare Keegan fills me with wonder.

Can you tell me about your books?

Betrayal is set in Italy – an artist with four grown children struggles to come to terms with a lonely marriage as she sculpts a bust of her dead husband. Their eldest son has stepped into his father’s shoes as head of their law firm. Little by little his brother and sister are drawn into his conflict with opposing mafia families. His father’s affiliation with the mafia and other dark secrets emerge to settle his mother’s doubts.

The Menagerie is a collection of short stories named after a postman whose house and garden are full of rejected pets. They are stories about ordinary people at decisive or revealing moments in their lives. A Bosnian soldier on Millenium Eve, a Swedish Estate Agent in the early 1900s who sold the world’s most expensive stamp for 12 krone when he was twelve, a young girl who stays with her god parents by the sea while her mother has treatment for cancer, a porter who adopts a corpse – there is love and joy in their stories.

Six Tales from Shakespeare comes from almost a lifetime’s love of William’s writing. I was lent a copy of ‘Macbeth’ by an older boy when I was at Primary School and was drawn into the mind of a hero tempted by the devil, sharing his doubts and fears, his love and longing.  The speed with which his fate unfolds, and the bleakness of his end was so dramatic. His humanity returns as he laments his loss of a dignified old age, respected by all, loved by many, unable even to mourn a wife driven mad by guilt.

What were your first experiences with writing?

At 7/8 years old I wanted to create the world of the groundsel fairy. I had not heard of Cecily Mary Barker. I saw the fluted undersides of mushrooms, the deep caverns of foxgloves a fascinating world on the ground with nature but I couldn’t think of stories for it – character, setting – no plot!

In your opinion, what are the key ingredients for a good story or novel?

As above, character, setting, plot but they have to be brought to life, in their world, in their minds and interactions, they have to be made credible.

How long should an author spend on their craft each day?

‘Oh, divine muse!’ The mind must be free to write well, and it doesn’t work to a clock. Writing is not always at the keyboard. I work things out walking in the countryside, find the best way to express something while swimming in the pool. If you are a writer you are at your most fulfilled while writing, so you press on when the goings good and walk when you need to let off steam.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and what did you learn from writing it?

Having to overcome my reverence for Shakespeare. It seemed almost sacrilegious to tamper with his work and to translate poetic dialogue into meagre prose but his work is 440 years old, language changes, conventions change but humanity does not so his stories are still relevant to us today, whatever the setting. Making them more easily accessible seemed more than worthwhile.

What common pitfalls should aspiring writers avoid?

Don’t indulge in lengthy descriptions or explanations. Kill your angels, (beautiful passages) demonstrate don’t expatiate. If the story is valid and the character credible your reader will be captivated.

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

Believe in yourself, be bold and promote yourself.

Six Tales From Shakespeare is available now in paperback.