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 L. C. Davis, author of the historical fiction title The Secret Daughter.

Could you tell us three interesting facts about yourself?

- I studied opera in college.

- I am a quilter.

- I worked my way through college as a jazz DJ.

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

I am drawn to write stories that take place within the backdrop of history. The unsolved mysteries of people’s lives, like the identity of Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved. More than two hundred years after his passing, we still don’t definitively know who she was.

There is so much possibility in the unknown. I am also inspired by intangible events in our lives, things that cannot be explained or debunked. I believe there is magic in the everyday and in pockets of history where the lesser-known stories dwell.

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

Gabriel Garcia Marquez is the first author I think of.  When I read his book, One hundred Years of Solitude, the world opened up for me as a creative thinker. Marquez brought magical realism to life for me and the way I saw the world resonated with his work. Alice Hoffman is another author who continues to inspire me. Joni Mitchell’s insightful lyrics made me stop and think. Her life as a multi-talented artist inspired me to pursue every creative outlet that interested me. Others include, Anne Rice and her stunning historical portraits against a backdrop of magic.

Can you tell me about the book?

The Secret Daughter is, at its core, a love story. People who have studied Beethoven’s life know that along with being a genius composer, he was a deeply passionate man who longed for love. But because he was different, society would not allow him to live an ordinary life, or to have a family. He was regularly shunned as often as he was lauded for his music.

In my book, Beethoven and his lover, the Immortal Beloved married in secret and she was pregnant with his child when he died. With so much against them, they fought for their love, even if it meant they had to hide it. Forbidden love is as much a relevant theme today as it was in Beethoven’s time. Prejudices still exist. Many people face rejection by their families, friends, and society because of who they choose to love.

In The Secret Daughter, love prevails even though Marie, Beethoven’s last living descendant, must risk her life and her newfound love to protect her famous ancestor’s wishes.

The Secret Daughter shows us that love, is all that matters.

What were your first experiences with writing?

I began journaling in my early teens and then wrote poetry and short stories. I continued writing in my professional career in sales and marketing. Ten years ago, I began writing more seriously and experimented with writing novel length stories. I continue to take classes, network with other writers, and hone my craft.

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

I think it comes down to finding a good story you feel compelled to share, and telling it in your own unique way. A good story can be many things, a clever take on history, a tragic tale on a universal theme, a simple story about a family, or story that takes us on a journey allowing us to escape our daily lives. That’s the miracle of great storytelling, there is always a story worth reading.

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

I think each writer knows their strengths and weaknesses and that’s what informs their practice. For me, I needed to develop a habit of writing every day, even if it writing meant editing a work-in-progress, or watching a webinar on writing. Creating an inviting and inspiring place away from distraction helps me as well.

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

The research was intense. I needed to learn about Budapest, a place I have never visited and the history of the Hungarian National Museum. I also had to learn all I could about Beethoven’s life and his music from the perspective of a historian as well as a storyteller. When I found the diary of David Winston, the famous piano technician, about his work on Beethoven’s 1817 fortepiano, the story came to life.

What common pitfalls should aspiring writers avoid?

Any creative pursuit requires courage, as Matisse famously once said, as well as fortitude. Believing in yourself even when you feel defeated is the key. It’s easy to succumb to self-doubt, after all writing is a solo endeavour. I think joining a writer’s group, even one online, can really help writers feel connected and it offers a vehicle for sharing the challenges that come with working alone.

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

Believe in the uniqueness of your work, it’s your superpower. As a young writer I was told many times that I see the world with a unique perspective. I was never sure if that was a positive thing or a negative one. I would encourage any writer young or old, to perfect the point of difference in your work. It’s the seed of your magic and what will make your writing stand out.

The Secret Daughter by L. C. Davis is available now in paperback and on the Kindle Store.