Punt Volat: Some readers might classify “The Star Eater” as magical realism. How would you describe it?

Alexandria Britten: I originally thought of “The Star Eater” as surrealism but after reconsidering, I do believe it is magical realism. It was more of a subconscious effort, however. I started writing fantasy but after becoming more exposed to different stories, I became more eager to write in other genres like horror, more specifically Southern Gothic Horror. Southern fiction is inherently magical and unreliable, which is what I wanted to be reflected in “The Star Eater.” It is interesting to see how fantasy and horror have blended into my work. Now I’m interested in learning more about magical realism!

PV: Was any part of your story inspired by folktales or legends?

AB: Not any folktale or legend specifically but given that I am from Louisiana, I did want to focus on the uncomfortable nature of the bayou. We do have our own legends, such as the Rougarou, which is a werewolf that stalks the swamps of south Louisiana, so I think this monster might’ve influenced my decision to characterize the bayou. I have a fascination with female spirituality and our role in the supernatural. I wanted to play with the concept of female deities and creatures. During undergrad, I wrote a short story titled “A Tail in the Bayou,” which is most definitely a precursor to “The Star Eater.” Both stories have different themes but one concept remains: a strange woman uses her influence to lure women into the bayou.

PV: Setting plays an integral role in this story. Is the setting based on any specific location?

AB: I mainly write Southern fiction and setting is a major characteristic in this genre. I wanted the narrator to be oppressed by her environment—she needed to feel that it was impossible to escape, which ultimately influenced her decisions at the end of the story. I also drew inspiration around me to help build the setting. Besides bayous and cryptic trees, Louisiana is flooded with Victorian houses, especially in New Orleans. So many of the houses I see are filled with character and color, which gave birth to the Queen Anne’s presence in the story.

PV: Did you need to do any research for this story?

AB: I did some research on Victorian houses and surrealist fiction but that’s all I actively did. I have also done a lot of research on Louisiana and Creole history and incorporated all I learned into the story.

PV: The story touches on issues that are personal, political, and philosophical such as abuse, autonomy, and agency. Do you have strong feelings about these issues or did they arise from the story itself?

AB: I have very strong feelings about women’s role in society. I used this story to discuss misogyny/patriarchy and the root of marriage and how often it might involve the enslavement of women. Women are taught from childhood on how they should serve their future husbands, especially in the South, and I was exposed to these teachings as well. I was raised in a very patriarchal and Christian family, which contributed to my beliefs about marriage. A lot of women in my family are/were in abusive marriages and I tried to inject Odelia and Jonah’s relationship with their experiences as best as I could. I also wanted to explore the dangers of age-gap relationships and why they shouldn’t be encouraged despite these dynamics involving consenting adults.

PV: How have your life experiences influenced your writing?

AB: I think being raised in the Christian South has greatly influenced my writing. Despite my negative experiences with religion, it constantly finds itself in my writing. It’s a part of me, unfortunately. Even when I’m writing in different genres like fantasy, religion’s presence is large and impossible to reject. I also believe seeing my parents divorce was an influence as well.

PV: Do you engage in any particular idiosyncratic writing practices?

AB: Because of my research, the writing may come off as very pretentious and I never want my writing to feel that way; however, I do obsess over my personal beliefs and specific imagery to the point it subconsciously seeps into every part of my writing. I might want to work on pulling back on this way of writing!

PV: Are there any manuscripts or projects you are developing at this time?

AB: I’m currently editing a novel set in Louisiana and that’s all I say. I think it’s bad luck to talk about future projects in detail.

PV: Likewise! Is there any certain project you aspire to create that you have not been able to realize yet?

AB: I love cosmic horror and I would love to contribute to the genre in some way. It is very challenging to do well in. I don’t have a plot in my mind but I think cosmic horror will find its way to me eventually.

PV: What is one book or who is one author you would recommend reading for enjoyment? What is one book or who is one author you would recommend reading for exploring new ways of thinking?

AB: My favorite book is Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. It completely changed my way of writing, revived my childhood obsession with vampires, and made reading enjoyable again. Although it is well known, I recommend everyone read “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, which most definitely inspired “The Star Eater.” It is ahead of its time and depicts a woman’s descent into madness after not successfully fulfilling her role as an “ideal” woman in the Victorian era.

PV: When you are not writing, what activities do you enjoy?

AB: I enjoy watching films if I’m not writing and I enjoy scrolling on TikTok if there isn’t a film that I want to watch.

PV: How have the events of the past year affected your writing or your writing habits, if at all?

AB: I avoid thinking about the events we are experiencing and use writing to escape from it. I think that’s why I’m fascinated with strange narratives that are bound to their disturbed thoughts as they use their minds to escape their reality.

PV: Any final thoughts?

AB: Thank you to Punt Volat and Marc Joan for giving me the opportunity to share “The Star Eater” with you all! This has been a long and fun journey. I am forever thankful.