Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Paranormal Romance
Date Published: January 26, 2023
(Audiobook Releasing the first week in June 2023)
Publisher: Gorgon Blood Press
Narrator: Will Tulin
Run Time: 8 hours and 2 minutes
In her debut collection, Theresa Braun explores the inner workings of the human heart and what it is we most desire—forgiveness, acceptance, love, fame, or merely to escape who we really are. Whether we are battling ghosts, demons, mythical monsters, the past, or other dimensions, we are really facing the deepest parts of ourselves. These thirteen tales of horror and dark fantasy may appear to be a matter of good versus evil, but they are all a reflection of the hidden corners of the soul that are often shades of broken darkness. The characters in these stories must face their inner and outer terrors, or else suffer the consequences.
Interview with Theresa Braun
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written quite a few short stories so far, most of which are in my collection, The Broken Darkness. I had a lot of fun with those. “Dying for an Invitation”, “The Celestial Assignment”, and “Homecoming” are probably my favorites. There are a few novels in the works. Right now, I’m having a lot fun writing a paranormal suspense set in Greece.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
Every once in a while, I toy with writing a sequel to Fountain Dead, my haunted house YA book. Since it’s loosely set in a place I lived in as a kid, it’s pretty dear to my heart.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
That’s a great question. I’m not 100% sure yet. Originally, I wanted to write each book to stand alone, but I’m open to writing a series at some point.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I like to play with words and many of my titles are variations of either cliches or well-known phrases. However, it’s a different experience coming up with a title for a collection. I sat on it for a bit and kept thinking about how all the characters in the book are broken in some way. And the word ‘darkness’ has such a broad meaning, referring to so many different ideas. When I merged the two, I really liked it.
How long did it take you to write this book?
The first story in the collection dates all the way back to 2000. This has been a book in the making for quite a while…
What does the title mean?
I think all of us can consider ourselves broken in some way. We all have pain and trauma. And we all deal with forms of darkness every day—whether it be circumstances, our thoughts, outside influences, the paranormal, you name it. I like the idea that it’s the darkness that’s broken, not us. We have the capability to be resilient, although that’s not always easy. But it’s also up to interpretation. I’d be interested to see what readers think about the title.
What did you learn when writing the book?
I learned that the editing process could continue for eternity. All of those stories have seen beta readers and several editors, yet when I read the collection in its entirety, there are things I would still tweak—like changing some of my favorite words to something else. Or changing some of the twists at the end of the stories. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and publish, or a draft just collects dust on a computer.
What surprised you the most?
That I can write about really personal subject matter. There are a few stories that deal with things that I’ve experienced first-hand, or that someone close to me has. I hope they are relatable—heartbreak, betrayal, addictions, wanting to give up on everything. “The Celestial Assignment” was inspired by an ex-boyfriend. “Lost Time” was based on an experience my dad told me about when I was a kid. “Dying for an Invitation” was born from an idea I had while in Transylvania. I’d like to continue exploring concepts that are born from deep emotional situations.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Hmmm…I’m sure I have. And I’ll do it again. I think there are memes about how writers do that all the time.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
While I’m writing, I sort of pretend I am that character. I find aspects of my life that are similar to what they go through. I think that’s the magic of creating fiction is that it’s so close to home. We all share in this human experience we’re having. And, as a result, I hope readers can connect with what’s on the page.
About the Author
Theresa Braun was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and has carried some of that hardiness with her to South Florida where she currently resides. An English teacher and adjunct professor for over twenty years, she shares her enthusiasm for literary arts with her students. In her spare time she enjoys painting, traveling, and ghost hunting. When she's not writing or trying to save the world, she can be found looking for romance or shopping for antiques. In 2018 Unnerving released her horror novel Fountain Dead, a coming of age ghost story. Her short works have appeared in The Horror Zine, Sirens Call, Hardened Hearts, and Best Indie Speculative Fiction: November 2018, Double Barrel Horror (Volume 3) and Emporium of Superstition.
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