Interview: C. H. Clepitt on what began their writing, and their sapphic retelling of Red Ridinghood

Today C. H. Clepitt has popped in to chat about what started their writing, answer intrusive questions and tell us about their sapphic 1980s FBI retelling of Red Ridinghood! Welcome, Claire!

To begin with, what’s your reason for popping in today?

I don’t get out much…

What started you writing?

I’ve always written, as demonstrated by this beaut my parents dug out of the attic!  They say lots of writers start with fan fiction…

Where do you write?

Well, funny you should ask. Recently I have had a bed related mishap (wasn’t doing anything exciting, sadly) and my bed collapsed from under me. Offending bed frame disposed of in the tip, there is currently a mattress strewn across the bedroom floor (I tried standing it up against the wall and the cat took umbridge) – so, I really have no access to sit in the bedroom (what’s that you say? Why not sit on the mattress?)

Well, I will tell you. Cass found it so upsetting that there was a mattress up against the wall that he flung it forcefully to the ground decapitating a lamp and trapping the vacuum. For some reason the mattress (bought from the same place as the amazing collapsible bed, so no surprises) has no handles and cannot be moved alone, so for now it remains strewn. Fortunately I have a sofa bed, so I have somewhere to sleep until they can deliver me a new one (it takes 6 weeks apparently). So, in short (maybe you’ll want to edit this answer) at present I am writing on the sofa bed as I can’t access anywhere else to sit…

What do you like to read?

I’m quite eclectic, as long as it’s well written I’ll give it a crack, but I will not read animal cruelty. That makes me put a book down and never come back to it. I’m looking at you Stephen King.

What are the three books you’d take to a desert island? Why would you choose them?

Good question. I think I’d take The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes. I started Sherlock Holmes over lockdown and I love it! Lady Molly of the Yard – I’ve just bought it and a desert island seems like a great opportunity to read something new – wait, am I stuck on the desert island? I’d better bring how to escape a desert island – is that a book?

Writing is an intrinsically solo occupation. Do you belong to any groups or associations, either online or in the ‘real’ world? How does that work for you?

I used to but since lockdown I’ve become more isolated and struggled to interact, even interacting online is more difficult, I don’t know why. I’m in your author group and I occasionally prod you!

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I work really long hours trying to keep a small local charity afloat after lockdown. I’ve recently started playing netball again which has dramatically improved my mental health, and obviously I have Cass, my wonky cat. Follow me on Twitter to be bombarded with photos of him.

Tell me a little bit about your most recent release. What gave you the idea for it? How long did it take to write? What did you enjoy about writing it? What did you hate?

My most recent release is book 3 in my Magic Mirror collection and it’s a queer retelling of Red Riding Hood set in 1980s USA. I’ve really enjoyed mixing historical fiction with changing up fairy tales (the series is set in different periods of the 20th Century). I liked researching it (watching lots of ’80s shows and films to get a feel for the period) and building the relationship between Clara and Red. I didn’t really hate anything. I wouldn’t write if I didn’t enjoy it!