Bitten by Books
After I wrote my short story book Traumatized, I wanted to tackle a novel. When writing Syrenthia Falls, many things changed from the original idea, such as the pacing and the time-span in which the events took place. The original idea had been to cover a complete school year, and when I finished Syrenthia Falls, I had condensed that time period down to the length of a month. By doing this, none of the story was lost, and I discovered short and sweet was better for my first novel.While writing Syrenthia Falls, I treated each chapter like its own short story. Some chapters have a cliffhanger ending, where other chapters provide subtle teasers. Upon writing Syrenthia Falls, I knew I wanted to create a werewolf novel, but I wanted to discard some beliefs that have become stagnant within the sub-genre. By research, I presented lesser known elements that have fallen between the cracks in regards to werewolf lore.
Although Syrenthia Falls is a werewolf novel, I wanted it to be something much more and focus on peer pressure and child abuse. I wanted the novel to read like a horror drama, and by the response I have received, I believe it can be a touching piece while it stands strong as a splatterpunk novel. Syrenthia Falls is the first book in the Havensburg series, however, book one does conclude with all loose ends tied, except a small glimpse in what’s to come from the sequel, which I plan to call Starla’s Moonlight.
Buy a print copy of Syrenthia Falls from Amazon by clicking here.
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About Alexander S. Brown
Author Bio:
Alexander S. Brown is a Mississippi author who was published in 2008 with his first book Traumatized. Reviews for this short story collection were so favorable that it has been released as a special edition by Pro Se Press. Brown is currently one of the co-editors/coordinators with the Southern Haunts Anthologies published by Seventh Star Press. His horror novel Syrenthia Falls is represented by Dark Oak Press.
He is also the author of multiple young adult steampunk stories found in the Dreams of Steam Anthologies, Capes and Clockwork Anthologies, and the anthology Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells. His more extreme works can be found in the anthology Luna’s Children published by Dark Oak Press and State of Horror: Louisiana Vol 1 published by Charon Coin Press.
Visit Smashwords.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com to download his monthly short stories known as Single Shots. These are represented by Pro Se Press and they are known as stories that will be featured in the upcoming book The Night the Jack O’Lantern Went Out.
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Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hi Minna P, I hope your day is great. Thanks for joining me. Some of my faves include: Clive Barker, Anne Rice, Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Chuck Palahniuk, Scott Sigler, David Moody, John Ajvide Lindqvist, V.C. Andrews *old school books*, and Dean Koontz *old school books*. Who are some of the authors that you enjoy?
Hey Alexander!
Welcome back to Bitten by Books. It is great to have you with us again.
My question to you is: What are some of your guilty pleasures (besides reading and writing)
To answer your questions:
Why do you feel we are attracted to dark subjects?
This is a really great question. I think that every person has the capacity to do dark things but most of the population doesn’t generally act on them. Maybe the attraction is to see somebody else who has no qualms about certain taboo subjects and getting a glimpse into their minds. To see what twists them to do “wrong” or evil deeds. I am really not sure what the attraction is. Maybe to live dangerously vicariously through books/movies is enough to keep people balanced.
What are you afraid of and why are you afraid of it?
I am afraid of being homeless. Because it would really suck. lol
What attracted you to the horror genre?
I don’t really read/watch too much horror anymore. I have really VIVID dreams so they are easily influenced by what I watch/read especially right before bed. When I was younger I would read King and watch scary movies with no issues. Now that I am older, dark urban fantasy is about all I can handle. And I can’t really watch anything too scary. Even Supernatural got too scary for me just a few episodes in. LOL Maybe I am a wuss. Either that or I value my sleep and good dreams. hehehe
Great questions!
Thanks for having me back!
I think the reason why I enjoy dark subjects is because they are intriguing and its human nature. When a wreck happens, people take their time as they pass it by, hoping to see if everyone is okay, or what has come of the victims.
Yes, being homeless would suck, but dying in an plane crash would probably suck that much worse. As you can tell by that statement, I’m terrorized of heights.
I think people want to see the gore of traffic accidents not if everybody is okay. But I am pretty jaded. LOL
I would love to be homeless on a PLANE Wheeeeee I love to fly! It means I am going somewhere to have fun usually.
What other projects are you working on?
I’ve flown twice and after the plane landed, I was fine lol.
Well, I’m working on Traumatized pt2 and Seventh Star has my first novel in a fantasy horror trilogy called The Looking Glass Creatures. Also, Southern Haunts 3 will be released sometimes this year.
What inspired you to write Syrenthia Falls?
Syrenthia Falls was something I wrote to leave behind my childhood. Although, my later school years were great, my elementary years were awful and filled with a lot of bullying. Some of that bullying stayed with me well into adulthood and Syrenthia Falls was something I wrote to cope with such memories.
In high school, I had met a great diversity of friends, ones who came from good homes, and broken homes. I found each of their lives interesting, and for some of the characters, they were my inspiration while creating character development.
I chose the werewolf figure for this novel because I wanted to write a revenge story, but have it maintain supernatural elements. The werewolf in my tale is a metaphor for the inner beast that is within us, and it emerges as a split personality for our lead character, like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde relationship.
Alex, you are an awesome author! I’ve been so privileged to be able to talk with you and read your stories. Short stories seem to be your great love. What do you feel are some of the most important elements in a good horror short?
Thanks for joining us today Alexandra. With short stories you have to hit the reader hard and fast while making a statement. With short stories, I go into the story telling myself that it is going to be an “in the moment” piece. I try to focus on one scene that can give explanation, action, character development, and good dialogue. I try not to focus too much on what brought our characters to this scene, only the scene itself. A great example of this structure can be found in my book Traumatized or the Pro Se Single Shot ebooks called The Night the Jack O’ Lantern Went Out.
For those who are looking for something intense, Traumatized is for you, for those who are looking for something creepy and fun, The Night the Jack O’ Lantern Went Out is more up your alley.
Do you write full time? What do you like to write best ie steampunk, paranormal etc. Did you write any books as a kid?
Hi Helen,
I hope all is well. Actually, I do write full time, but I also work a day job full time too. Pretty much my days tend to start at 8AM and end at 5PM. Then my writer’s life starts at 5:30 and ends at 1AM. On my off days, I try to spend 5 to 6 hours editing and writing.
I enjoy writing horror overall. I do write steampunk on the side, but when I do write steampunk, my stories still maintain horror elements. Some of my steampunk stories can be found in the anthologies: Dreams of Steam, Capes and Clockwork, and Clockwork Spells and Magical bells.
I did write books as a kid, they were awful, but considering they were written in Crayola, I guess they weren’t too bad for that age lol.
Syrenthia Falls sounds fascinating. In regards to werewolf lore how is your book different than other books in this genre?
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for asking. I did a great deal of research for the werewolf side of this novel. Research for the beast included voodoo folklore, Haitian folklore, European folklore, and a few books based on psychology and serial killers. I had also brushed up on the philosophy of Anton Levay and used that as the stronger character development for the inner beast.
Also, Syrenthia builds a personal relationship with her inner beast and turns to it for help when she is threatened. Because of this, the full moon has very little to do with how and when she changes.
Hi Alexander and congratulations! Do you read your reviews? If you do, how do you deal with the negative ones?
1. I think we’re drawn to the dark subjects because they’re taboo and mysterious. We can exorcise our own demons that way and then go back to sugar and spice and everything nice.
2. I guess it sounds kinda silly but I’m afraid of dogs. I don’t really know why because I haven’t had a really nasty encounter but there it is. I always carry a walking stick or a long umbrella when I walk just in case. Then I have an alternative for the dog to chew on besides me.
3. I think the whole dark subject thing again.
I’m totally the same with big dogs. I’ve never been attacked or anything, but I just get so nervous around them!
Thank you, Kit, for saying that! It makes me feel a little better about my fear. I’ve never really been around dogs much and I’m sure that’s a part of it.
Hi Betty,
Welcome! I love your answers. Dog’s don’t bother me, but if I stumbled upon one that seemed unfriendly and barked a lot, I would probably stay in my car lol.
I do read my reviews and I appreciate any and every review, may they be negative or positive. I haven’t really received any negative reviews for my solitary work, but I did find it inspiring when I read a review for the anthology, Luna’s Children: Full Moon Mayhem on Amazon.com.
The reviewer spent a paragraph praising the book for its stories. Then she spent another paragraph speaking about how disgusting and perverted my story “The Last Lamb” was. Yes, it’s true, that story is deeply perverted and disgusting, but it’s my comment on the subject of child abuse within high school sports.
Thank you, Alexander! Criticism is hard to deal with even if it’s meant for good but it seems that some reviewers delight in pointing out every flaw and really being harsh~well, I guess that’s the same way they are in day to day living. It seems that your writing is a part of you and that it would be difficult not to be hurt.
LOL yes. You hit the nail on the head. My writing is very much a part of me, but I have a thick skin.
I’ve learned to not pay attention to people who leave negative reviews that are sarcastic. I’ve learned that their sarcasm is out of hopes of gaining likes and a thumbs up for themselves.
Yet, if I receive a negative a review that is a professional one, I will pay attention to what the reviewer says. Reason being is because this critic is putting his/her feelings into a form that is mature, and constructive criticism doesn’t bother me at all.
I think I would hurt a lot before I developed a skin thick enough to ignore some of the reviews I’ve seen. It’s great that you can be dispassionate enough to learn from constructive criticism. I believe I would have trouble even with that.
If you had to pick, which character from either Syrenthia Falls or any of your other books is your favorite? and why?
For now, my favorite character is Syrenthia. She is a grey character that is neither fully good or evil, but is merged between the two. Even though in this novel, she is a creature, her actions and emotions are very human.
1. I think we’re attracted to dark objects because of our human nature to understand the world around us. Most things we find terrifying are things that we don’t/or refuse to understand. We’re drawn to them because we need to understand, but at the same time we’re afraid of what we might discover.
2. I am DEEPLY afraid of spiders and wasps
3. I like the horror genre because I like being frightened. There’s a thrill in getting lost in a book or movie and for a split second feeling like you are the one who is about to get axed. Thankfully we can retreat under our covers after we’re done lol
hi Alexander.
sorry to hear about your childhood and that is still happens today, but nice that you put it to words and to let others enjoy your writing.
I admit I am not a bug horror fan, I am a chicken, lol. I dont like alot of violence, esp if it would happen in real life.
some heights freak me out, the fear of falling makes me cringe
LOL no problem, I hope to reach out to everyone today, may they be a fan of horror or not. I’m happy that you could join me today and thank you for answering my questions.
If you enjoy reading stories that aren’t gruesome or frightening, your might enjoy my steampunk stories. You might like the anthologies: Dreams of Steam, Capes and Clockworks, and Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells.
I do like some horror stuff and vampires, werewolves and the likes but will look into those books of yours
Awesome! If you do like milder horror my ebooks The Night the Jack O Lantern went out are like campfire tales. The story Outhouse is comedic and is available for download for $.99 on Amazon. I hope you enjoy!
What new releases are you looking forward to?
I’m really excited about Stephen King’s upcoming book Finder’s Keepers and I still need to get my hands on Clive Barker’s new novel The Scarlet Gospels. Are there any new releases you are looking forward to?
Did you belong to a writing group or have beta readers? If yes, did you always follow their suggestions?
Hi Ann,
I hope all is well. I am a part of a non profit organization called Imagicopter. This group helped me meet publishers and other published authors. I do have beta readers and I do listen to them, if they find something that’s problematic, there is a good chance that everyone else will spot the same problem. There has been only one or two cases where I have disagreed, and we have discussed the matter. Each time we have discussed the problems, the results has been favorable to the book.
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
LOL well, I guess I would have to say Mrs. Piggy. She’s very spastic and melodramatic, which that is the kind of humor I love. This is probably why, as an adult, I enjoy the movies of John Waters, because many of his characters follow the Mrs. Piggy formula.
I’m guessing people are drawn to dark subjects to try to understand them (what causes psychopathic behavior, for instance) or get reassured that they’ll be resolved (suffering in a book might be vindicated through a happy ending where it wouldn’t in real life).
I’m afraid of eye injuries (because they seem grisly, and I like seeing), pancreatic cancer (because it took my dad, is awful, and has such a low cure rate), and not finding true love (because I’m a mush-hearted sap underneath it all).
I don’t know if I am drawn to horror…I’m pretty squeamish, so often a story will have to ease me into it. Very rarely have I chosen a story knowing it’s classified as horror going in. There have been exceptions, like certain m/m books that I wanted to try anyway because I liked the author, or books that promised to be humorous to a certain extent.
Hmmm, my Syrenthia Falls novel might be for you. It is a mix up of drama/horror/suspense. However, the further it goes the more intense it becomes. My Night the Jack O’ Lantern stories might be a little more light hearted for you as those are intended for adults and young adults with dark humor included.
What’s your writing process like? Do you prefer to write in solitude or around people?
I prefer to write alone, or around other authors. From my experience, most people who don’t write ask questions while I write, breaking my concentration. I prefer to be at my kitchen table or on the back porch when I create, sometimes I’ll have instrumental music playing. The music I play can range from classic composers to Buckethead.
When writing, I’ve gotten used to the idea that my first draft is always crap, but I have to trudge through and see where it takes me. The first edit is always the most stressful and I prefer to be alone and in silence for that edit. Normally, I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel until I complete my third edit.
Hi!
Is there an author or book that you’ve been trying to get to for a while now, but just haven’t been able to yet?
Lois
and your questions -
- I think we are drawn to it in books and movies because that way we actually experience it or the like - otherwise, we basically avoid this stuff in real life, and there is no reason to; we need to talk about stuff.
- really do not know why I’m afraid of it, but definitely big time phobia of most bugs and probably all snakes.
- well, most horror I avoid, but in the end, even though there are genres, etc that I don’t actively read, I can find examples of exceptions to the rule. I have my favorites, but if there is something in a different genre than my usual that sounds interesting, then I pick it up.
Hi Lois,
I hope your having a great Werewolf Wednesday! It took me forever to get my hands on a good hardback edition of Thinner by Richard Bachman. Even still, I never found the edition that I currently have. My partner in crime, J L Mulvihill who helped edit Southern Haunts vol 1 with me, gave it to me as a Christmas present.
What was your favorite research?
Debra G,
Welcome! For Syrenthia Falls my favorite research was what I had read when reading voodoo folklore on werewolves. The repellents were interesting. Also, it was very interesting to see how people believed a sorcerer could change into a werewolf. Both of these methods were used in Syrenthia Falls and I believe it’s what makes this novel stand out from other werewolf novels.
Did you do anything special for Earth Day?
I try to do something for the Earth everyday. I try to recycle as much as possible and use products that are green friendly. But for Earth Day itself I watched The Happening lol
I get the impression you’re a fan of pumpkin carving. What’s the best one you’ve ever done (that is if you go crazy like I do and carve a bunch every Halloween of the not just scary face variety?) How many do you usually carve every Halloween?
You have the correct impression lol If you befriend me on Facebook under the name “Alexander Stephen Brown” you can see a few of my carved pumpkins.
Normally, each year I do a pumpkin carving party and I invite friends over. We carve pumpkins, watch horror movies, and have drinks. When I carve pumpkins I try to make them look creepy, sometimes they will have big, round eyes and screaming mouths, other times they will have eyes and a mouth with sharp, jagged angles.
If you are a fan of Halloween, check out my $.99 ebooks The Night the Jack O’ Lantern Went Out
What’s your least favorite genre to read … as well as to write?
Romance without a doubt. I don’t mind a book having romantic elements but I don’t want to read a romance. Pretty much, I turn down subjects I don’t want to write. I only write for submissions that pique my interest.
What am I afraid of? Easy-alligators/crocodiles. They’re basically dinosaurs. Just ancient, gross, killing machines.
LOL love it! By the way, I ate alligator on a stick last weekend. It was great.
Hey Alexander!
Please tell me, from writer to writer, what’s the best environment that gets you in the zone?
Questions:
1) I think we are attracted to the dark because there is a little (or a lot) of dark in every human being.
2) My biggest fear is alienation. It would be my worst nightmare to feel hated and ignored by everyone around me.
3) I’ve only recently become interested in horror fiction because a friend of mine spoke so passionately about it. It led me to have an open mind and find new interpretations for the horror genre.
The best environment is to surround yourself by what your writing. I normally decorate for Halloween in August and I keep my my decorations until mid November. This helps me write my Halloween stories. For other times throughout the year, I enjoy writing in the dark, may it be at my kitchen table or on the back porch. I try not to write in public, it can become very distracting.
Hi Alexander!
Do you have any favorite “B” horror movies?
I think we are so attracted to the darkness because of the taboo-ness of it. There is something very alluring about the things we are supposed to ignore. I also think acknowledging the darkness also makes the light so much brighter.
I don’t think i have any unusual fears- the usual suspects; clowns, strange noises in the night, etc. I have a few irrational fear (worms- just regular old earth worms…) and horror movies (of the Jason/Freddie variety). For some reason the super fantastical movies get to me. But I love real ghost stories! I’m walking contradiction.
I think I would say I prefer thriller/suspense to straight up horror though.
Hi Kristin,
Welcome! Yes, I love be movies. Some of my faves include Ghoulies 1-3, Troll 1-2, Toxic Avenger 1-4, Basket Case 1-3, All About Evil, Elvira, Puppetmaster 1-5, Subspecies 1-4, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Killer Clowns from Outer Space, Critters 1-4, and the list continues in that theme.
B movies, not be movies, gotta love predicted text.
if you could go anywhere in the world on a Vacation where would you go? and Why?
Ireland has always sounded relaxing, besides I could probably write some pretty creepy stories over there since I would be submersed with its folklore.
What was the most surprising bit of info you have ever come across when doing any research?
I’m currently writing a murder mystery book and while reading books based on serial killers, I was really surprised to learn how different the murder methods are between male and female when it boils down to profiling. The book I found the most interesting information in was The Serial Killer Files.
Of any of your books, what has been your favorite scene to write?
In Syrenthia Falls, my favorite scene was the attack scene. It was very fast paced but it lasted for a 3 to 4 chapters of the book. It was an adrenaline rush to write, and I also really enjoyed writing my story “The Acquired Taste” found in my book Traumatized.
If you could bring any mythical creature to life what would it be.
I would say werewolf, but a cool werewolf. Like he would wear shades and listen to awesome music. Plus, he could be the mascot for my novel lol.
What mythical creature would you like to have brought to life?
Oooh oooh I wanna answer this one! A dragon, perhaps the size of a standard dachshund, so I can wear him/her on my shoulder like a character of mine does with his familiar…
Sorry I could not get here sooner. I had been laid low by a horrid toothache. Swollen jaw. Yeah, not fun. Slept most of today and yesterday! So I’m a little off my game
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give?
Hi Raonaid,
I’m glad you could visit. I’m sorry about your toothache and hope you feel better soon.
Do not pay to get published, if you pay a press to publish you, they are a rip off. Instead, take the money you have saved and invest it in conventions. Here, you can meet other authors, editors, and publishers. I have been to conventions where publishers have signed new authors on the spot.
I hope this helps.
Why do you feel we are attracted to dark subjects?
- Human nature, perhaps? Sometimes, when life has beaten you down so much, the dark subjects becomes our crutch. Perhaps to remind us that this person has it much worse than us….
What are you afraid of and why are you afraid of it?
- Spiders for one. I have no idea what about them that I am afraid of. You would think being around a grandparent that use to save spiders and talk to them like they were friends, I wouldn’t be so afraid of them. Nope, then one bit my grams, and well the friendship ended. LOL.
Another thing I’m afraid of… is crossing bridges. I do not know why that is. It is just one that I had as a child. We use to live by a bridge, and my parents had to put me near the street part. When I was an adult, no one came to pick me up from work so I started walking home. It took me a good fifteen to twenty minutes to get myself on the bridge to get home.
What attracted you to the horror genre?
- Horror is not my genre. I have no attraction to it. Now my husband has a love for horror movies. He has to watch them when I’m not home or I’m asleep (and he in another room). I have a too receptive mind and it lingers.
I enjoy the dark, eerie, mysterious& terrifying TV shows, movie & books because they are endless & limitless to the authors or writer’s imagination. My 1st taste was FRIDAY THE 13th & Stephen Kong’s Fuji & they lite my brain on fire for more! What was y I ur first taste?your
Hi Patty,
Great to meet you. I hope you enjoy my books. I would say my first introduction to horror was when I was 5 yrs old. My grandfather introduced me to the original Night of the Living Dead and I’ve been hooked since. I see we share a love for Friday the 13th and Stephen King. It’s always good to meet kindred spirits =)
Thanks so much for the contest because my Amazon GC balance is at $1.92! I still can’t believe that I win GC for my ROMANCE BOOK HABIT!
What you will do in this summer ? Write ,read or just fun !
Hi Alexandru,
I hope all is well. This summer I plan to write two books, edit, and maybe get some reading complete. I’ll probably do a few shows in the MS, LA areas and meet the public some more. What would your plans be?
How many books have you written?
Hi Tomas,
Thanks for dropping in. I have two books that are my solitary pieces *Traumatized and Syrenthia Falls*, I have edited two anthologies *Southern Haunts 1 and 2* and I have been in multiple anthologies * Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells, Capes and Clockworks, Dreams of Steam 2 and 3, Luna’s Children, and State of Horror: Louisiana*. I currently have another novel called Looking Glass Creatures that will be released this year.
Wheres your favorite place to write
Hi Amanda,
I hope all is well today. I enjoy writing on my back porch or kitchen table. Preferably by candlelight. These areas have relaxed me and have allowed me to produce some pretty intense stories.
Have your job experiences ever found a way into your books? What was the worst job you ever had?
Hi Dovile,
The worst job I have ever had was working retail. It was a complete life consuming waste of time. I have planned on writing a retail horror story that happens on the night shift. I haven’t thought it through entirely yet, but it’s on the way.
1) I think dark subjects are fascinating, because they make us relieved at the end that it was all fiction.
2) I don’t have any phobias, but I’m afraid of aggressive people, especially if they are under influence. I think this is because they’re unpredictable and often violent, so I try to avoid them.
3) I’m not really a fan of the horror genre, but I like when it’s mixed with other genres I read for thrills.
Who is your favorite band to see llive?
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for dropping in. Joan Jett was fun to see live. I recently saw a band called Honey Honey and they were relaxing. I guess seeing Joan would be my top pick from everything though.
When you get a writer’s block, what do you do?
Hi Natalie,
I hope your day is great. Well, funny thing. I had some writer’s block last night and I forced myself through it. I ended up scrapping the 10 pages I wrote, but it was an exercise that allowed my mind to work through the problem. Today, I rewrote those same 10 pages from a different approach and it worked.
Are there other genres you are interested in writing in ?
Hi Michelle,
Welcome! I was interested in writing fantasy, steampunk, superheros, and murder mystery. But those are all genres that I have now written in. I might try sci-fi horror in the future.
Tell us Seven things we may not know about your writing life…
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for dropping in tonight.
1. I am terrified of frogs and lizards, but I don’t mind snakes and spiders.
2. I am actually a very peaceful person and I love comedies.
3. I enjoy walking at night in the woods.
4. I weigh 230 pounds and am starting to exercise.
5. I actually dated a few girls in jr. high and high school, before I accepted that guys were more my deal.
6. I’m very close with my mother and am not ashamed to have her attend signings with me.
7. I am active in practicing Santeria/Voodoo/Catholicism
What’s your favourite genre to read?
Hi Cheryl,
I hope all is well. Hands down, I love horror, always have and always will.