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 Robert Royea, author of the gripping thriller, The Turning Wheel.

What are the three most important things you have accomplished, aside from publishing a book?

I have been a fabricator/welder for many years. I worked as a project manager and settled as a supervisor, working with many talented tradespeople and a diverse group of clients. I'm proud of the relationships and the lifelong friendships that have been forged.

I enjoy playing music and writing songs. I have been in a few bands since high school and played a few big shows. I have a catalogue of songs that I think are pretty good...

My greatest pride is my son, who I helped raise into a confident, intelligent, and dependable young man. He has all the qualities and compassion that every man should strive for.

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

Simple observation inspires me. The people and the world around me. I question the foundation I was built upon as well. It’s like turning over a stone and watching the hidden elements run for cover.

There is the story - nothing is as it appears. Behind every smile, there is a hidden sadness; there is a cruelty in love, and weakness in strength; nothing is obvious, and everyone hides; the things we avoid become an obsession, the people we love we push away...

There is some secret thing that is illicit in every soul, it is rarely shared and often disguised. I like to let my imagination explore the possibilities, like an intruder.

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

John Steinbeck and East of Eden was a big one for me. It is a masterpiece. It examines our motivations and downfalls. It makes you fall in love with his characters and allows them to disappoint you. It makes you think, and it makes you feel. His writing is the soul that America has lost.

The Red Pony is the searching heart of man and the fellows from Cannery Row are the caretakers of dignity and perseverance.

How would you summarise your book in as few words as possible?

The Turning Wheel examines a dangerous underworld and the hearts of those who manoeuvre through its hostile terrain. The characters are exposed, and their circuitry is mapped. They clash and rage against each other and within themselves - until the climactic battle between life and death.

What were your first experiences with writing?

Early on in school, I wrote stories of a mouse detective named Zackery. I tried writing novels a few times through high school and later in life but always failed to complete them. There was a lot of good work abandoned because I lacked the discipline and self-confidence.

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

I think you need something basic and real to build upon, something beneath the actions and the plot. An idea or an emotion that goes unnoticed but is delivered to the reader. The Turning Wheel is a suspense/thriller in the crime genre, but it is about the characters and how they fit into an uncertain world. I've always liked descriptive writing, poetic and original to the author. Sometimes the story can be secondary to the words – a dirty plate can outshine a canopy of twinkling stars.

How long do you spend writing every day?

I write for about two hours a day after work, most days, sometimes rewriting, which is just as demanding. It has been harder with the upcoming publication. I am completing my second novel and look forward to starting a new project. I take pleasure in the initial writing, and it gives me purpose…

How long did you spend writing this novel?

Longer than you would think - years. I almost gave up halfway through, and it gathered dust for six months before I picked it up again. Then there was the rewriting and editing, which seemed like endless hours of hard work. I am happy to say that once I got The Turning Wheel beneath my belt, the process has become much faster, and my writing has improved.

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

For me, honestly, it was the loneliness. The time spent away from family and friends. Hours tucked away in front of a computer screen when it is a beautiful day outside. It takes commitment and routine. I do not feel that the time spent writing is wasted or unnecessary; I would be unfulfilled without it. However, it does take you away from the people and things you love. I learned that you must work hard and sacrifice to accomplish your goals.

What did you find most helpful when writing your book?

When I managed to write something that I found good and original, I cherished that page, or paragraph or sentence. Knowing it came from me, and it was good. It did not exist before, and I created it. It carried me through the harder times when I was struggling with my writing or my life.

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

You are good enough, don't give up. You need to work harder, but you will succeed.

The Turning Wheel is available now in paperback.