Jeneva Rose Reveals How Motherhood, Grief and ‘Exposure Therapy’ Shaped“ Sometimes I Scare Myself” (Exclusive)

**Jeneva Rose’s New Horror Novella Explores Motherhood and Fear**

Emerging from her role as a bestselling author of thrillers and romances, Jeneva Rose has ventured into the realm of horror with her latest novella, *Sometimes I Scare Myself*. Released during her first year of motherhood, this new work delves into the complex emotions surrounding postpartum anxiety, grief, and the fear that often accompanies new parenthood.

*Sometimes I Scare Myself* is a collection of three chilling stories that intertwine the themes of motherhood with the unsettling elements typical of horror. One story presents a mother experiencing the eerie occurrences within a haunted house, while another involves a group of friends grappling with apparent curses. Rose describes these narratives as both personal and reflective of her own experiences during the tumultuous postpartum period.

The author candidly shares how writing the novella became a crucial outlet for her own anxiety. “When I wrote these stories, I was very postpartum, and I feel like motherhood made me see the world differently — where it was way more dangerous,” Rose explains. The author notes that simple aspects of life, such as stairs or bodies of water, became sources of significant fear. By translating these worries into her writing, Rose felt she could confront and manage those feelings in a way that was both therapeutic and productive.

She likens her writing process to a form of exposure therapy. By placing her fears onto the page, she could relinquish them and detach them from her daily thoughts. “It’s almost like I’m giving these fears to someone else. When I’m reading or writing something horrifying, it’s happening to someone else, not me,” Rose states.

In discussing the allure of horror as a genre, Rose posits that readers are drawn to it for its ability to explore extreme and exaggerated experiences in a controlled setting. She elaborates on this by highlighting the popularity of true crime, suggesting that the most shocking stories resonate because they transport readers to a realm of unreality. “The more outlandish or exaggerated they seem, the less real they feel,” she explains.

Additionally, Rose identifies a strong connection between grief and horror, particularly as she navigates her dual identity as an author and a new mother. Both experiences profoundly alter perceptions of safety and normalcy, as unforeseen circumstances often introduce new rules for living. The main characters in her novella each experience grief, which propels them to notice the strange phenomena around them – a subtle yet significant commentary on the intersection of the two themes.

The stories in *Sometimes I Scare Myself* are not just about horror; they also weave poignant narratives of loss and personal transformation. Rose notes that while the stories are distinct, they feature women who are perceptive and proactive in the face of their fears. “They’re the first ones to notice that something is going wrong, and they want to act upon it, but everyone else doesn’t really notice,” she reflects.

Having recently entered motherhood, Rose finds that the changes in her life are influencing not only her writing style but also her approach to storytelling. “I think one thing that parenthood has done is made me more present, and I also think that helps as an author. I’m always thinking about what’s going to happen on the next page,” she comments. This new mindset has allowed her writing to become more atmospheric and descriptive while maintaining an engaging pace.

As her first foray into horror is now available to the public, Rose expresses her hopes that both newcomers and longtime fans of the genre will appreciate it. However, one question lingers: Are her stories truly frightening? Rose points out that fear is a subjective experience. “What terrifies me might not terrify another person, and vice versa,” she says, adding an intriguing layer to the reader’s experience of her work.

*Sometimes I Scare Myself* is currently available at all major booksellers. This bold leap into horror not only showcases Rose’s versatility as an author but also reflects the profound impact that motherhood has had on her creative process. As readers engage with this collection of unsettling tales, they may find echoes of their own fears and perhaps, a deeper understanding of the chaotic beauty found in the overlap of life and terror.