Day 7: K.L. Coones - The Effects of Fear

     It is with us all the time in some nebulous shape or spectral form. Whether it is the proverbial 'monster under the bed' for a child, or the aversion to failure for some young and older adults, fear is with us. It is part of our lives and fabricated into our being. It keeps us alive in certain situations, but all too often it keeps us from living, and is a major catalyst to many self fulfilling prophecies.

     Though I was invited to guest blog about my book, I would like to talk about a major theme within it that I think is on everyone's mind in its most primal form around Halloween. Fear is a major theme running through Absolom Rex, and it especially poignant to the character of Pontius Pilate who serves as the protagonist.

     Many of us, in our own lives are in positions of power. The power comes from the ability to make choices that will affect our lives in either positive or negative ways. Think about the choices in your own life that you need to make right now or that you think you will need to make in the future. Do you experience any fear regarding them? Is it the choice that you fear or the possible outcome either good or bad that grips your heart and freezes your mind?

     I know what you are saying. How could I fear a good costume? Surprisingly many people do, and they subconsciously sabotage their own efforts to advance their lives. They may fear rejection so they never allow anyone to read their manuscript. They may fear responsibility so they do things to exclude themselves from promotional consideration at work. They may even fear a 'normal life' so they cause chaos and bedlam at home.

     The fear Pontius Pilate experiences in Absolom Rex is not quite so subtle, but its roots are the same. His greatest fear is that he will fail in his mission as Prefect of Judea and that he and those he loves will suffer. He also greatly fears being used by others as a too, even though his very station in life is a tool of the emperor's will. This fear causes him to make decision that on the surface appear to promote the strength of his position as Perfect, but in the long run only serve to undermine his authority completely and bring about a self-fulfilling prophecy of his own manipulation and doom.

     Fear is the great and hidden destroyer of our lives as humans. All human psychosis is build around our need to grasp at the impossible, a life without fear. Many of us attempt this and pay a price in wealth, health or family. Dictators prey upon the mass fear of the populace, promising to remove the troubles of life. Those who believe suffer a terrible life of bondage. Pontius Pilate grasps at a promise to rid himself of fear and spends the rest of his existence dealing with the consequences.

     Fear may like to hide behind masks, but that does not diminish its power over us. Are we just pawns to its will? How can something that causes such devastation be combated? Fear, once understood, can become an equally powerful ally. Once you understand what fear does and how it works you can use it as a trusted counselor for your life. Fear can show you what areas of your life need attention.

     The fear we love to feel when we watch horror movies or read a good horror novel is our need to tap into that emotion. It is our psyche's desire to live vicariously through the life and fears of another in an attempt to gain some knowledge that will help us transcend our own. In Absolom Rex, Pontius Pilate makes a choice that changes his life forever, and one that no amount of knowledge or experience can reverse. Luckily we are not so unfortunate. Though fear can destroy the dreams we hold for our lives, an understanding of it can show us sometimes show us a better paths to achieve those dreams.

     Though Absolom Rex deals with some emotions that work subtly, the things Pontius Pilates deals with are meant to build his character and provide somethine that the reader might be able to connect with emotionally. In the end though, the novel's purpose it to enterain. Whether or not it gives true insight is something only the reader will know.

     If the topic of fear from a psychological point of view interests you, there are many books that can explain in detail how to identify it and how to let go of the desire to live without it. One that comes to mind is The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. Dr. Peck deals with fear and how to transcend it so that it is placed back into its proper role as your advisor, not your master and certainly not your destroyer.

     Happy Halloween, and thanks for reading!

     K.L. Coones is the author of Absolom Rex, a historical fiction/horror crossover available at Smashwords.com and on Amazon.com. Reviews of Absolom Rex can be found of Goodreads.

Links to the book: Smashwords     Amazon

**Note: There is a HUGE giveaway at the end of the month after Halloween!!! To enter for the giveaway, comment on the blogs. The more you comment, the bigger chance you have at winning!!! There will only be 1 winner, and the winner will be announced 1st week of November!!! Good Luck!!!