B2BCyCon: Horror Therapy

Fiction, particularly horror, allows us to handle our real life monsters. Think of it like role play therapy—if you are afraid of spiders, writing an apocalyptic nightmare of spiders forming a hive mind and taking over the world would be cathartic. It’s overkill of your fear, but you are in control.

To write my latest book, Escape Claws, I went to a hypnotherapist and underwent brainspotting to locate a writing block. I can write thousands of words on cue on any topic, but I have never been able to write about personal events.

Under his therapy, I was able to locate the source of the block—a fear of being called a liar. I overcame that fear, and that block, and was able to finally record some of my memories regarding haunted houses I grew up in.

There were many experiences like these, but I have limited my focus to just four houses. I have published or been included in nearly 30 books, but Escape Claws is my first memoir. I’m tentative to share these things that come not from my imagination, but my experience.

Written in impartial narrative to state the facts, I share the emotional states in poetry. Real photos of the houses are also included, though I did withhold addresses for privacy of the new tenants.

The purpose of this book is to open up the closet and show the boogieman for what he is.  “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less,” said Marie Curie. Here’s to light and understanding… if we dare.

Welcome Brain to Books Cyber Convention and Book Expo-ers! My name is Angela Yuriko Smith, and today I’m releasing my latest book, Escape Claws, a study of four haunted houses from my childhood written in narrative and poetry.

I will be giving away signed paperback copies of both Escape Claws and In Favor of Pain during the convention giveaways, the scavenger hunt and more. Explore, meet new friends and discover amazing new authors all weekend long.

Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter for updates, follow me on Amazon and find me on Facebook. You can move on to the next blog in the Walk with the Monsters Blog Hop by clicking here. Enjoy Girl Zombie, and thanks for visiting and come back soon.

Stalk the Monsters Horror Scavenger Hunt: Here’s your challenge. On this blog find an image of a girl climbing out of a well. What is the name of that book’s title? Submit your answer HERE ONLY on the Horror blog hop page.

For the entire Blog Hop list you can check out the B2BCyCon Blog Hop Page (scroll until you find the horror listing)  or the B2BCyCon Horror Page.