An Interview with William Westcott and Elizabeth Clarke, the main characters in "The Stroke of a Pen" by Roxanne Werner.

Today's interview is with two characters from Roxanne Werner's "The Stroke of a Pen," a short-story in the Gothic Anthology, Not As It Seems.

"William, I know you gave two brief interviews on Instagram, so I’d like to begin by asking Elizabeth about her role.

Elizabeth, as a governess of two young girls, you were very curious about the Widow’s Cauldron. Did you ever get there?"

Elizabeth: "No, I did not. However, I asked William to take me many times."

"And why was that?"

Elizabeth: "Because William refused my requests, and in Victorian London, a young lady could not venture there unescorted."

William: "A young lady would not go there, escorted or not, Elizabeth."

"Why, William?"

William: "The Widow’s Cauldron is a dangerous place and should not be entered lightly."

Elizabeth: "You went. Do you not think I am as brave as you?"

William: "It’s not a matter of being brave. I care for you and would not put you in harm’s way."

Elizabeth: "I am a capable and intelligent woman and do not need to be wrapped in a cocoon. Did my caring for you prevent you from going?"

William: "That’s different."

Elizabeth: "Why? Because you’re a man?"

"I think we’re getting off topic. Why were you so set on going there?"

Elizabeth: "After Bill described Mr. Ravenscroft’s store, his pet raven Quilliam,

and Mr. Deces’s mansion. I couldn’t help but want to see them myself. Wouldn’t you?"

William: "But to get to those things, you would have to travel through a poor area infested with crime, rats, and disease. The buildings are dilapidated. The streets are not kept up. I had to wade through potholes that would swallow you whole. And on top of all that, it’s always raining."

Elizabeth: "The legendary tears of the widows. Are you sure you’re not more worried about the ghosts of those who perished in the Great Fire than the rats and pickpockets?"

William: "Certainly not. There are real, living, breathing people who are much more dangerous than imaginary ghosts.

"Well, lucky for us, your tale, The Stroke of a Pen, is available to read in the gothic anthology Not As It Seems. We can learn all about the dangers of the Widow’s Cauldron without going there and decide for ourselves.

"Thank you for spending time with us.  Could you tell my readers where they can purchase your intriguing story?

William: It’s available at Amazon.com as an Ebook or paperback.

Roxanne Werner is an award-winning children’s and young adult author and editor. She has edited for Stories for Children Magazine, The World of Ink, and Halo Publications. Her work has been published in numerous children’s magazines, including Know, Turtle, and Highlights, where she won the 2008 Fiction Contest and was awarded Author of the Month in 2011. Her latest manuscript, The Bookwyrm was selected as a Page Turner Writer Awards Finalist for 2025. She has been featured in four anthologies, including the current Gothic Anthology Not As It Seems.

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