#BadMoonRising Between the Darkness and the Dawn by Paula Cappa #paranormal #mystery #shortstory

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

I’ve read a few of this author’s books, and if I could only use a couple words to describe them, they would be atmospheric and immersive. It’s so easy to lose yourself in her stories, and it may have something to do with her visiting the actual settings of some of her works. A name on a cemetery headstone inspired a story idea, and now she’s working on the final draft. Welcome Paula Cappa!

Would you rather visit a haunted house or a haunted graveyard?

Graveyard for sure. I prefer the ghostly quiet of cemeteries. Reading the names and dates on the headstones are inspiring for me to conjure up stories and scenes. I once read a headstone with the name Draakensky on it. The name was startling to me and actually ignited a story of a haunted estate named Draakensky. I’m now working on the final draft of my supernatural novel Draakensky.

Which Stephen King novel unsettled you the most?

The Shining. Mostly because the ghosts had such power in the story and they were unrelenting. Jack, of course, became a terrifying entity. The thing about King’s stories is they touch a vulnerable part of the human psyche and once he does that, as a reader, I can’t let go. The psychological elements are always compelling.

Which unsolved murder fascinates you the most?

I think the murders where the cause of death is mysterious and doesn’t lead directly to the killer. When a person dies and the cause is not clear or conflicting, it presents such doubt and curiosity. Something like the old-fashioned lock-door mysteries. How did the killer get in or out, accomplishing what seems impossible?

Have you ever traveled as research for any of your books? 

Yes, for my novel Greylock, a mystery story about a music phantom, I placed the setting on Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts. The mountain itself is said to be haunted, so it was perfect to explore from a ghostly perspective. I traveled to Mt. Greylock twice to walk the trails and spend time at the top, getting inspiration from the views and the trails. There’s a lot of research that can be done online and lots of images, but putting your feet on the ground where your characters are walking, is another whole adventure.  Also, I wrote a ghost short story (historical) about Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Old Manse in Concord, MA. I toured the Old Manse several times to get the feel in the house when Hawthorne lived there. The short story “Between the Darkness and the Dawn,” was published at Whistling Shade Literary Journal and now it’s a Kindle Single.

Have you ever tried to write a novel in a genre you rarely or never read? 

I normally don’t read fairy tales, but a story with a king and queen kept circling in my head. When I started writing it down, I realized it was a traditional fairy tale (novelette). So, then I did have to start reading that genre and studying about how to write fairy tales. Because the story used magick (of course), I opened a whole new and exciting element to my writing. And wouldn’t you know, the novel I’m working on now has magick in it. Experimenting in new genres for reading and writing can only add more richness to your writing life and reading.

What are you working on now?

I am writing a novel about a haunted windmill and how magick lives with all of nature. The characters in the story are drawn to the magickal realms, some to witchcraft.

“Cappa’s Between Darkness and Dawn is as nuanced and atmospheric as the stories of Hawthorne himself. Mesmerizing.” –Erika Robuck, author of House of Hawthorne: A Novel.   

Come visit the Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts. Does the ghost of author Nathaniel Hawthorne stalk the front parlor? Edward Fane, ley line hunter aims to find out. Armed with his EMF meters, Edward tests the Old Manse for ghosts that might be streaming the reported ley lines on the property. What Edward finds is more than just the ghost of Mr. Hawthorne. Edward uncovers a mysterious woman from Hawthorne’s yesterdays. In this supernatural mystery, more than just shadows exist between the darkness and the dawn. This historical ghost story was based on true events in Hawthorne’s life. Between the Darkness and the Dawn was originally published by Whistling Shade Literary Journal.

Purchase Link

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Between-Darkness-Dawn-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00TEKS8E2

Smashwords.com  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/591916

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/between-the-darkness-and-the-dawn-a-short-story-paula-cappa/1122774075

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/between-the-darkness-and-the-dawn-a-short-story/id1057761874

Author Bio and Social Media

Paula Cappa is a multi-award winning author of supernatural, metaphysical, and mysterious fiction. She is the recipient of the Gold Medal from Global Book Awards, the Chanticleer Book Award, and the American Book Fest Best Books Award Finalist for her novel Greylock. She also earned the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award, the Silver Medal at Global Book Awards, the Bronze Medal from Readers’ Favorite International Awards in Supernatural Suspense, and is a Gothic Readers Book Club Award Winner in Outstanding Fiction.

She is the author of Greylock, The Dazzling Darkness, and Night Sea Journey—print editions published by Crispin Books, Milwaukee WI.Cappa’s short fiction has appeared in ParABnormal Magazine, Coffin Bell Literary Journal, Unfading Daydream, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, Whistling Shade Literary Journal, SmokeLong Quarterly, Sirens Call Ezine, Every Day Fiction, Fiction365, Twilight Times Ezine, and in anthologies Journals of Horror: Found Fiction, Mystery Time, and Human Writes Literary Journal. Many of her short stories are now Kindle Singles on Amazon. Paula Cappa is a freelance copy editor and writes a short story blog, Reading Fiction Blog, at her website at paulacappa.wordpress.com. She is Co-Chair of the Pound Ridge Authors Society in Pound Ridge, NY.

Website and Reading Fiction Blog:  paulacappa.wordpress.com

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/paula.cappa.94

Goodreads URL:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6553133.Paula_Cappa

 Twitter:     https://twitter.com/PaulaCappa1 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paula_cappa/

Author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Paula-Cappa/e/B009P2HZ7A/

59 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising Between the Darkness and the Dawn by Paula Cappa #paranormal #mystery #shortstory”

  3. I love cemeteries, too, Paula, especially really old ones. I can spend a lot of time reading the inscriptions on the headstones. And I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about your writing today. As soon as I share this on my blog, I’m heading straight over to check out your books. After all, tis the season for a good scare, right?

    Great post, Paula, and thanks for sharing it with us, Teri. Bad Moon Rising RULES! 😊

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  4. Pingback: #TeriPolen’s #BadMoonRising – Featuring #PaulaCappa – #MaeClair&StaciTroilo – #TeaganGeneviene – #HappyHalloween | The Write Stuff

  5. Fun and interesting answers, Paula. Draakensky is a fascinating and unusual name and I can see how it inspired you. And I loved hearing about your foray into fairytales and magic. It adds a whole new level of creativity. Another great post, Teri. This is fun October. 🙂

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          1. I did! Also on MS Word. 😀 I hope to do something similar for my other books, but haven’t made the time yet. I plan to do a tutorial on the steps at some point. It’s quite easy. And fun to do when the brain needs a break from writing.

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  7. I totally agree with Paula about hands-on research as opposed to internet. Traveling to the place you are setting your story gives you such a deeper view. Great BMR interview! Thanks, Teri. Best wishes to Paula. The new book sounds fabulous!

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    1. Jan, it’s true that being physically in the same location as your story has an organic effect on writing. My novel The Dazzling Darkness, which takes place in Concord, MA, is next door to a cemetery. Concord is full of literary ghosts (Alcott, Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne) and when I did the research for this novel I spent many weekends there touring. I brought back little stones, tree branches, dried flowers to keep on my writing desk to inspire me so I can stay connected.

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  9. I love exploring old cemeteries and studying the gravestones. My father introduced me to the practice when I was a child, teaching me to think about the people who lived in previous eras.

    I was instantly sold on the blurb for Between the Darkness and the Dawn and headed to Amazon to grab a copy. It’s currently being offered free. That was a no-brainer!

    I look forward to discovering more of Paula’s work. Her tales sound right up my reading alley!

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  11. A great post, Teri. I can understand that “the murders where the cause of death is mysterious and doesn’t lead directly to the killer” fascinates you. I love murder mysteries and what you mentioned fascinates me also.
    I’ve had such a hectic six to eight weeks and am glad to sit down today to visit blogs. I missed lots of fun this year for your BMR month. I’m sure you’ve had a fabulous month so far, Teri.

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  14. Lots of cemetery lovers here I see. I try to include one or two in my books as even as a kid I loved spending time in cemeteries. I agree, Paula, it is good to read and write outside your genre. Your books sound intriguing.

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  19. Victoria Zigler

    With this being yet another interview recommending “The Shining” I really think I might actually end up having that be the first Stephen King book I read, and pretty soon too. If nothing else then to see what all the fuss is about. LOL!

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    1. Yes! I hope you get a chance to read it, Tori. It’s in my top three fav King books. The only book I ever read that gave me goosebumps – and I was lying beside a pool with temps in the 90s.

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  20. I know exactly what you mean about a name being the impetus for a story. I did the same thing with my first novel, Badfish. (we saw a sign that said Badfish Creek and that was it – I KNEW I had to write a story with that as the title). Awesome interview! 🙂

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    1. Her writing reminds me a little of Diana’s, Robbie – so descriptive and almost poetic. The Shining seems to be tied with Misery for King books. I usually watch The Shining movie around this time of year, but haven’t seen it yet. Need to see if it’s streaming.

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