P D Alleva Interview

What made you want to write this book?

This book features three stories. For the featured story, Knickerbocker, I wanted to write a story about the Headless Horseman and my hometown Sleepy Hallow but wanted to add a modern twist to the story related to addiction and the substance abuse treatment industry. The Calculated Desolation of Hope (the first story in this installment) was inspired by a dream I had a few years ago. The story allowed me to delve into my love for conspiracy theories, in particular the influence pharmacology on the human psyche. Somnium is a story about daydreaming and mental illness. The main character, Charlie will return in future installments. The series, Beyond the Chamber Door, feeds into my love for spirituality in relation to quantum physics, conspiracy theories, the dark hearts of human beings and the degradation of society.

Where do you get your storylines from?

Personal experience and a vivid imagination. I can hear something that peaks my interests or be contemplating the universe while gazing at the ocean and an idea will pop into my brain. In order to explain experience and concepts, and in order to make sense about life, I write stories.

Was this book easier to write than others? Why?

Not easier or more difficult. Writing for me is a process of exponential creativity, emotional satisfaction, and sense with sensibility wrapped in a blanket of passion and purpose. Once I start a story I’m hooked, the writing usually comes easy and there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. Editing though, now that is a different story!

Do you only write one genre?

No. I tend to lean towards themes of light and dark, however, these themes can be satisfied across multiple genres. This series will include sci-fi, dystopian, dark fiction, drama, romance, suspense, thrillers, spiritual, metaphysical, and gothic horror stories sometimes interwoven together.

Do you have a specific place or setting where you write?

I purchased an English style writing desk a few years ago and consider it my sacred space. No eating, no drinking allowed at this desk. I’ve got my writing hats (a collection of fedoras), my

candles and several books scattered across it.

Describe what made you want to be a writer?

The ability to develop and create plot lines and characters that entertain, inform, and try to make sense of society and the world we live in. I’ve always been a writer; as far back as I can remember I’ve been writing and telling stories. Growing up my parents didn’t have a lot of money and sometimes our electric would be turned off because the bill wasn’t paid. Any time this happened I’d tell stories to my two younger siblings. My mom would light candles to set the mood and honestly, these were some of my fondest childhood memories. I love to tell stories!