FEATURED AUTHOR: Pheare Alexander

Pheare Alexander is the newest sadistic mind in contemporary psychological and horror fiction. Due to her own mental instability much of her history is unknown. She has said most of her life has been spent reading and thus writing her own tales soon followed. Anyone allowed to speak directly to Pheare has found that she tends to mix her own reality with the fiction she creates. Her writings reveal horrific tales of murder, fantasy, morality and the exploration into the decay of the human mind. Pheare believes one of her own characters, Warden Francine Christian, is holding her hostage in a mental facility she created called the Cather House. Pheare arrived to the facility mute. She has only communicated through her writings in her own blood via a self inflicted wound. The facility is said to be located somewhere just outside of Chicago, Illinois.

How did you start out your writing career?

At an early age, my reality was comforted by fantasy. I figured out characters in books had problems worse than my own. In the pages of books I found freedom, but by turn of the last page my own reality sat next to me like a scorn lover. Left feeling neglected reality fought hard for my attention. I started to hide from it. Books and movies provided that hiding place. I like to think of movies as a kiss goodnight and books as a romantic weekend. The romantic weekends started getting shorter. Each book was a tall glass of water and after running for miles from my reality I was thirsty. I guzzled the book in one sitting. A constant daydreamer I started creating worlds. With my reality close on my heels I ran to those other worlds where I could inflict my pain on the people I created. The night I finished my first novel I stopped running. I poured two glasses of wine, one for my reality and the other for myself. We talked. Reality was tired of chasing me and I was tired of running from it. Today, I chase my fantasies.

What did you learn while writing this book?

I learned respect for the art of the written word. Writing is much more than simply telling a story...it requires finesse. I’ve taken time to study grammar, mechanics and other techniques.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

Str8 Laced is truly a separation from anything I’ve read before. As an avid reader I hoped to accomplish writing a story would take readers to new outlandish places.

Which character did you have the most fun writing about?

I enjoy writing villains. Their agendas are intense. The passion a villain has about their every desire excites me in ways that are hard to describe. I’m definitely the villain’s sidekick throughout the novel. Regardless of their endeavor I want them to succeed...at least for the moment. My religious convictions leave me conflicted. In the end I feel forced to compose the villain’s swan song.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

How quickly it would take complete control of my life.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

When my characters step in and take over the story completely. I absolutely love that part. They take over me completely. I work with an outline and my characters sometimes deviate from the plan. I’m then forced to walk away from the story to rethink things through. I hate when that happens because it slows down my flow. No offense to editors, but, I really hate the editing process. I have tough editors and they don’t hold back any punches. I’m usually pleased with the end result though.

What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

The downside to the publishing business, how quickly writing would take over my life and that my fears were only illusions.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

Being an avid reader is fundamental to being a good writer. Read a lot.

Don’t depend on the opinions of others. Trust your instincts. You’re the only one that can bring your vision to it’s true potential.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

Every story doesn’t deserve a sequel. I'm depressed at the end of every project because my characters beg me to leave. Those that survive want to continue living their mundane lives in peace. In the end I accept that and let them be.

If you could be a character from any book you've read, who would you be?

Pennywise the Clown from Stephen King’s It. He had the most fun scaring the hell out of people. I do too.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Reading any book I can get my hand on and watching horror movies.

What do you do to interact with your readers?

My younger sister taught me how to tweet the last time she visited me. Facebook is still where most of my direct contact with fans happens.

Our theme for this month is BUSINESS OF WRITING. What were you surprised by about the business side of writing?

How fast-paced the business can be. My initial assumption was the only part I would play was to write a great story. You have to be in thirty places at once, blog, review other novels, build relationships with other authors and attend conferences and other events. And that’s just part of what we do…

Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?

I know that every day the Lord opens my eyes I will spend the rest of it writing.

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

My next project is called Lot 9. It will be out before year end. The story is based on true events. Due to legal reasons I’m not allowed to disclose the name. But, the story explores the events of what took place in a cemetery that disturbed hundreds of graves to resell the plots. The families of the disturbed victims will probably never recover the remains of their loved ones again. I have family interred there. Although none of their graves were disturbed I felt the pain of those families that did lose their loved ones…so the story is very personal.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

Website: http://www.doyouknowpheare.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=531077354

Twitter: doyouknowpheare

Blog: http://www.doyouknowpheare.wordpress.com/



Str8 Laced

Dr. Jocelyn Reynolds ran a successful practice in child psychiatry until the day she was abducted by a woman suffering from severe psychosis, McClaine Henry. Dr. Reynolds never fully discussed the events of her abduction. For nine years, she suppressed the nightmare until Karen, her best friend and fellow therapist, was kidnapped too. Karen’s abductor, a seasoned serial killer, reaches out to Dr. Reynolds for help, and he warned that her friend’s life, and countless others, could be spared if she just took a moment to listen to his plight. While working the case of Karen’s abduction she is forced to drudge up past demons and confront the truth. McClaine will always be a part of her. Watch her straight-laced life unravel.


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