THERESA BRAUN'S CHILDHOOD FEARS

When I think childhood fears, the first that comes to mind: monsters in the closet, or under the bed. Now, is that on the top of my personal list? Although I did keep my closet door closed—at all times, mind you—I’d have to say this proved pretty manageable. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Clowns…rather terrifying. However, for me, that was another easy fix. No clown movies. No clown Halloween costumes. No clowns at parties. And, minimal contact with Ronald McDonald at the fast food chain.
 
So what did frighten me? We’re about to get deep. You ready? Okay, the most terrifying thing for me as a child: abandonment/isolation. A vivid memory for me, incidentally involves the previously mentioned fast food restaurant. I ventured to the restroom on my own. All was well until I couldn’t open the door on the way out. Either the lock was tricky, or I was too inexperienced with these types of doors. Cue the dramatic music and a tiny me screaming and pounding on the door. Those few minutes sent me into a sweaty panic. What if I never get out? What if my family leaves me here? I think I was too young to worry about death—or maybe not! Eventually, a worker keyed me free, and my mom was there with open arms. Whew… yet, these feelings still unnerve me today.
 
Another traumatizing scenario: my parents dropping me off at day care. A reality: parent/s work. I’m sure I comprehended that. But, why was the solution to leave me with a bunch of strangers? Not to mention, I had a few awful experiences there. Once a kid threw a rock at my head—to me, it actually felt like a small boulder. The problem: none of the adults cared. This triggered the fact that my parents left me to suffer. The abandonment: intense.
 
Flash forward. As an adult, I completely get it. Now, being alone—by choice—is blissful to me. However, every once in a while when someone cancels plans or does some other ‘normal’ thing, these feelings surface. One of the most horrific movies, in my opinion, is The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I can’t stand the thought of every person I know and love turning into an alien who cares nothing about me. It’s not only the ultimate abandonment, but it’s supernatural! Eek! Also, I think the profound psychological terror here is that no one loves me. As humans that’s a primal need. If that’s not met, for me, it’s freaking scary.
 
This definitely makes it into my writing. I isolate or abandon all of my characters in some way, whether it’s via a loved one’s death, or locking them in a basement. Also, let’s not forget that ignoring ourselves, our intuition or truth, can be a fatal decision—and is perhaps the worst kind of betrayal. The trick is finding new ways to bring out this fear in my characters, and ultimately the reader. I’m definitely up for the challenge…

Fountain Dead by Theresa Braun

Mark is uprooted from his home and high school in the Twin Cities and forced to move with his family into a Victorian in Nowhere-ville. Busy with the relocation and fitting in, Mark’s parents don’t see what’s unfolding around them—the way rooms and left behind objects seem alive with a haunted past.
Of course, Mark keeps his ghostly encounters to himself, all the while sinking deeper into the house's dark, alluring, and ultimately terrifying history. As romantic entanglements intensify, the paranormal activity escalates. Past and present come together. Everything is connected—from the bricks in the walls to the hearts beating in their chests, all the secrets of Fountain Dead are finally unearthed.

---

click here for a chance to win a copy of fountain of the dead 

Theresa Braun has a Master's degree in English literature and lives in South Florida where she has taught literature and writing for over 20 years. Traveling, ghost hunting, and all things dark are her passions. Her short stories have appeared in several horror and speculative fiction publications, including The Horror Zine and Sirens Call. Her experiences living in a haunted house in Winona, Minnesota have inspired her most recent book, Fountain Dead, released by Unnerving.

WEBSITE LINKS


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6424227.Theresa_Braun
 
https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Dead-Theresa-Braun-ebook/dp/B07H9KBK2P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GZSGNOK2E92O&keywords=fountain+dead+theresa+braun&qid=1564825565&s=gateway&sprefix=fountain+dead+t%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1

---