Somewhere Past the End by Alexandria Faulkenbury
What led you into writing?
I’ve enjoyed writing ever since I was little. I made up stories in Kindergarten that my teacher would laminate and spiral bind, and I was so proud to be a “real life” author. I got away from writing fiction as I moved through school, but came back to it after grad school.
How does a typical day look?
I’ve got two kids and I teach part-time, so my day starts early. I’m part of the #5amwritersclub so I can get writing in before getting the kids up and out for school. I try to squeeze writing in between all other things I have to do each day as well. There’s never a perfect time to sit and write for me, so I just get it in where I can.
In what ways do your characters test your abilities?
Good question! It’s certainly a challenge when your character doesn’t want to behave the way you initially envisioned and you have to switch the plan you made in your head. I also think it really stretches me as a writer to flesh out each character. When I write a first draft, many of my characters sound the same because I haven’t figured them out yet. By the end of the story, I’ve got most of them sorted out and then I have to go back and realign who they are in the early chapters with the person they become by the end of the story.
What’s your setup?
I have a small desk in our office/guest room that is still in process of being set up after a recent move. Until I’ve gotten that area just how I want it, I do most of my writing at the kitchen table in close proximity to the coffee maker.
What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?
One of my favorite books growing up was The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. I must have read it at least ten times during elementary, middle school, and high school. I was so captured by Speare’s ability to create a world that really felt like the 1600s while at the same time making Kit feel like a typical teenage girl. Finding that magic middle ground of transporting someone to a different world while making sure they recognize the characters in that world has always been something I’ve strived for in my writing.
What do you do for inspiration?
Maybe it’s a boring answer, but I don’t think there can be any better inspiration than reading. Whenever I’m feeling a bit of writer’s block, I find that reading really good, really beautiful writing almost always inspires me to get out of that funk. When I’m stuck on a plot point, usually a good deep clean of the house can jog a few ideas loose.
What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?
Another great question! I’ve noticed that I can’t seem to get away from themes of identity, grief, and motherhood. Even if I’m writing something totally off the wall, one of those themes usually wriggles its way into my storytelling.
How do you wind down?
I enjoy reading and watching a show with my husband after we’ve got the kids to bed. I’m also a novice knitter, so you can usually find me with a half-finished project piled up on my bedside table. In the past I’ve also taken tap dancing class, which I find a great way to wind down. I think this is because I’m naturally a horrible dancer, so I have to put every other thought out of my head if I have any hope of getting the steps right!
What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?
A lot of times something sounds perfect in my head and then when I write it down, it doesn’t quite look right. Trying to making the words on the page line up with the vision in my head is always a challenge.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just started The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. I’m only a few pages in, but it’s already a challenging and excellent read.
What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?
Be open to constructive criticism but trust your instincts. There are so, so many people who will come along and tell you what’s wrong with your book, how to fix it, how to make it better, how to sell it. Many of them have wonderful and sage advice that can make your story better. Some of them not so much. Some might have great ideas that worked for their story but won’t work for yours. At the end of the day, it’s your story and only you know what you’re trying to say, so listen to feedback and be thankful for the advice given, but make sure the story always stays your own.
Tell us about the book you’re promoting.
SOMEWHERE PAST THE END is a dual timeline story that follows Alice Greene as she tries to put her life back together following the mysterious disappearance of members of the cult she’s both loved and longed to leave all her life. Ultimately, the story offers a panoramic view of one family and how the repercussions of their choices muddy the lines between truth, belief, and delusion.
It can be pre-ordered most places books are sold in paperback, ebook, and hardcover. It will release on May 20, 2025 with Apprentice House/Loyola University Maryland.
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