Phobic By Cortney Pearson
Fifteen-year-old Piper Crenshaw knows her house is strange. It’s never needed repairs since it was built in the 1800s, and the lights flicker in response to things she says. As if those things aren’t creepy enough, it’s also the place where her mother committed murder.
To prove she’s not afraid of where she lives, Piper opens a forbidden door, which hides a staircase that leads to the ceiling. That’s when the flashbacks of the original residents from 1875 start, including a love affair between two young servants. Each vision pulls Piper deeper into not only their story, but also her house. Piper confides in her best friend, Todd, whom she's gradually falling for, but even he doesn't believe her. At least, not until her house gets axed during a prank, and the act injures Piper instead, cutting a gash the size of Texas into her stomach.
Piper realizes her house isn’t haunted—it’s alive. To sever her link to it, she must unravel the clues in the flashbacks and uncover the truth about her mother’s crime, before she becomes part of her house for good.
Guest Post by Cortney Pearson
As
writers we are constantly gathering inspiration (whether we know it
or not). An overheard conversation, watching people interact,
teenagers laughing together, hearing others tell stories. I believe
we subconsciously refer to our life experiences as we write and
create stories. We have to. In order to generate realistic emotion
and detail that readers can relate to, we have to have some kind of
jumping-off-point to base them on. I'd like to share just a few
things that sparked ideas for me as I created the world of PHOBIC, a
world which is based on the ethereal aspect of seemingly ordinary
places.
Inspiration
#1
My
great aunt lived alone in this fantastic old house built by her
father, my great-great grandfather. And it felt like stepping back
through time every time I walked through the door. BUT. Right off
from her back door--the entrance we always used--was a staircase. It
wasn't long. It wasn't even hidden like those in my story. But this
staircase led to Aunt Vay's basement with its concrete floor and old
cast iron stove and that pair of metal roller skates that always sat
alone on a shelf. I hated going in that basement, especially by
myself.
Looking
back at these pictures now I wonder why I'd been so scared, but as a
kid that basement was terrifying!
The
basement in PHOBIC plays a huge part in the mystery of the house
Piper lives in. It's a place she's been forbidden from entering, but
this time she's determined to find out why.
Inspiration
#2
Another
instance happened at Aunt Vay's when my mom, sister, and I had pulled
in late at night to sleep after traveling from California to Utah all
day long. We were tired. It was cold and windy outside. And my mom
couldn't find her key to the back door. We tried that knob several
times and then as I went to reach for the knob again, the door
opened. All on its own. OPENED. My mom, sister, and I all exchanged
looks and when I checked the knob (on the now open door), it was
still locked. True story! So it prompted the opening and this scene
in PHOBIC:
My
best friend Todd’s red pickup appears at the curb, spewing exhaust
like the truck has a cigarette up its backside. I jerk up. My pulse
kicks at the sight of him. That’s been happening a lot more lately,
my insides flaring up and doing some sort of spastic dance whenever I
catch sight of his alluring smile and dark curls.
Leaving
the second Pop-Tart on the table, I stuff my phone in my pocket and
snatch up my backpack and clarinet case. I dart past the round,
velvet-topped table in the wide hallway to the front door.
I
reach for the knob. It won’t turn.
Heart
pounding, I try again. One way, then the other. Chick.
Chick.
The lock mechanism is vertical. The door isn’t locked.
“Not
now,” I say under my breath. “Please not now.”
The
hairs at my nape skulk up one by one until they all stand on end. My
wrist flicks, and the obstinate knob makes the same chick
chick sounds.
The eerie feeling spreads down the length of my arm, making the knob
cold under my touch. What is going on? I’m used to my house doing
strange things, but why won’t it let me out?
Inspiration
#3
The
Winchester Mansion in California has also been intriguing to me,
especially the staircase that leads to the ceiling. This whole house
is completely creepy, but especially this:
Piper's
house also has a hidden staircase similar to this one. Her discovery
of it knocks her sense of reality way off course, and she begins
seeing flashbacks of the original residents of house. Which leads
to...
Inspiration
#4
I
LOVE romances, along with Victorian/Regency-era stories. So my final
inspiration for the story--particularly the flashbacks that Piper has
to the past--is:
Downton
Abbey (I know it takes place after the two eras above-mentioned. But
still, inspiration.) It was after watching the first few episodes
that my two star-crossed servants in love sprang into my head.
There
were many other sources of inspiration as well, but these are the
main ones. What about for you? What inspires you when you write?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cortney Pearson is a book ner who studied literature at BYU-Idaho, a music nerd who plays clarinet in her local community orchestra, and a writing nerd who creates books for young adutls. She lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cortney Pearson is a book ner who studied literature at BYU-Idaho, a music nerd who plays clarinet in her local community orchestra, and a writing nerd who creates books for young adutls. She lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town.
I hope you all enjoyed this guest post! I was already intquiged by Cortney's book and after hearing her inspiration I can't wait to read it!
Below is the big cover reveal and also a giveaway!
Until next time,
Ginger
Thank you so much!! :D
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure, thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to read your book :)
DeleteYou're very welcome, thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDelete