David Simms resides in the scenic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family and a pack of furry companions, having escaped the hustle and bustle of New Jersey and Massachusetts. By day, he juggles roles as a psychology and special education teacher, a college English instructor, a counselor, and a music therapist. When the sun sets, David transforms into a ghost tour guide and lead guitarist for Slushpile, a band he co-founded alongside bestselling authors as part of the Killer Thriller Band.

David has delivered workshops across multiple states, focusing on innovative methods such as using music to enhance learning, encouraging teens to write creatively, and offering strategies to help teachers combat burnout. His diverse career includes a variety of published works, ranging from short stories in anthologies like Terrible Beauty, Traps!, and Darkness Rising to academic papers on music therapy and creative writing for adolescents.

He joins Vince on the show to discuss his novel Pierce the Veil, a psychological thriller that challenges preconceived notions of the afterlife. The story follows Boone, a man who was clinically dead for 23 hours and wakes up to find people obsessed with discovering whether he saw the other side. The conversation explores why people are fascinated with the afterlife and the fear of the unknown.

They also discuss the use of in medias res to create a dramatic opening, the research behind cryonics and near-death experiences, and the character of the Priest and the secretive Brotherhood. The discussion touches on the hyper-religiosity of Boone’s fiancée, Megan, and her obsession with him remembering a vision of the afterlife. The conversation delves into the consequences of fame and the desire for attention, as well as the portrayal of evangelical atheists in the story. It also explores the dynamics of talk shows and the need for people to be comforted and deceived.

The chapter highlights the cinematic elements of the book and the potential for a screenplay adaptation. The emotional struggles of the priest character are examined, emphasizing his desire for acceptance and the conflict between his religious beliefs and personal desires. In the final part of the conversation, David Simms and Vincent Midgard discuss themes of trauma, repressed memories, and the power of the unconscious mind. They explore the concepts of the id, ego, and superego, and how they influence decision-making processes.

They also touch on the use of trauma in conditioning and embedding commands. David shares his hopes for the future, including getting his books into the hands of more readers and potentially seeing his work adapted for the screen.

Website: https://davidsimmsmuse.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Simms/author/B00G2KJR9W?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

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

#davidsimms #piercetheveil #fearthereaper #indieauthor