Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Edmonton, London in 1951 and spent several of my formative years living in Cornwall where I developed a lifelong love of nature and the rural way of life. I began writing in my early teens and a good deal of my short romantic fiction has been published in various national periodicals including “Secrets”, “Red Letter” and “The people’s Friend”.
Never one to let the necessity of earning a living get in the way of my writing, I have continued to write whilst holding down a succession of jobs including Health Food Shop Manager, Typewriter Mechanic and Taxidermist – yes, you read that correctly.
Over the years I’ve experimented with a variety of styles and genres, finally settling on historical fiction. With historical fiction you have a solid framework of known events, but it’s within that framework that you can conjure a very particular kind of magic, create a ” spirit of place” and give your reader a “sense of being there”, all of which I feel I’ve achieved with my debut novel.
I’m single and live and write in Hertfordshire.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my novel is “Dance the Moon Down”. It’s set against the background of the First World War and is about Victoria, a young woman, newly married, whose husband, Gerald, volunteers to fight and then goes missing in France. Her struggle to survive whilst trying to discover what has become of him lead her into many difficult, and often dangerous, situations. Finally she is forced to find work as a labourer on a run down farm, where she discovers an unimaginable world of ignorance and poverty.
With this book I’ve attempted a new slant on an old theme. A huge amount has been written about the men, and even the animals, that fought in the Great War, but very little has ever been done about the women who were left behind to fend for themselves.
I read an article in “The Nation” for June 1914, written by John Galsworthy, the author of “The Forsyte Saga”. Basically it was a critique of the younger generation of whom he wrote “had been born to dance the moon down to ragtime” With the benefit of hindsight we now know that they infact fought the bloodiest conflict of the twentieth century and payed a terrible price.
It was whilst researching in this period that I came across the letters and diaries of some women who had lived through the trauma of the Great War. What I read in them inspired me to write my debut novel “Dance the Moon Down”.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always write the first draught of my manuscript in longhand, It’s quicker that way. I prefer to write at night, usually from 11pm to 3 am, it’s quiter then and I can hear myself think.
I’m fuelled entirelly by black tea, which I drink from a pint mug. I usually manage about eight pints a night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Herman Melville, Ernest Hemmingway and Henry James to name but a few.
What are you working on now?
It’s a new novel set against the background of the American Civil War. Again I’m attempting a new slant on an old theme. This one also has a female central character, but that all I’m saying for now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Contacting book review blogs. It’s hard work and can take a long time, but it’s well worth it. I’ve had some great reviews, been awarded book of the month, as well as making a lot of new friends.
In the main the book blogging community are a fantastic group of enthusiastic and dedicated people. Considering the amount of time and effort they put in to promoting other people’s books for free, I think they deserve a standing ovation.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write for the sheer love of it. Never give up, even in the face of the worst disapointment and, above all, believe in yourself and your work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No matter how old you are, or where you live, or what’s happening in your life-follow your dream.
What are you reading now?
“The Heart Of Darkness” by Joeseph Conrad. It’s been out for a while, but I always promised myself I’d read it. So far it’s great.
What’s next for you as a writer?
At the moment I’m researching for my new novel. I believe in getting my facts right, particularly for historical fiction. Then again, I’m a firm advocate of “Never let a fact get in the way of a good story”
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete works of Shakespeare, I’ll have plenty of time to read it. The Bible, same reason, and something by Ray Mears, he writes about self survival, makes sense doesn’t it.
Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Bartram Amazon Profile
Robert Bartram’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile