The following is an interview with author/screenwriter/filmmaker Patricia Shanae Smith regarding the upcoming release of the novel, Remember, with Datura Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Smith about her creative process in bringing the psychological thriller to life on the page, the themes that she hopes will shine through for readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: April 22 will see the release of your psychological thriller novel, Remember, from Datura Books. What inspired you to share this deeply resonating story with readers?
Patricia Shanae Smith: Mental health has always been an important theme in my writing, because I want to help further destigmatize it. I want readers to know they’re not alone—something we hear often, but it truly matters. When I first wrote Remember, conversations about mental health weren’t as open as they are now. At the time, I felt incredibly isolated in my healing journey, and writing this story became a way to process that. Now, I hope Remember resonates with readers who have ever felt the same way… and then I just add gore for entertainment purposes.
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing this narrative to life on the page, and how do you feel that your own lived experiences may have informed your process?
PS: My creative process is honestly chaotic. Sometimes, I binge-write for a week straight, pulling all-nighters and getting lost in the story for hours. Other times, I won’t write for months. I wish I could say I have always had a disciplined routine, but writing has always been something instinctual for me—it’s how I’ve processed heavy things in my life. That’s how Remember came to be. Over time, I’ve tried to bring more structure into my process by using outlines, beat sheets, and book maps. So, I would say I’m pretty habitual these days, and right now, I aim to write a few chapters a week, but the process is always evolving.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that the story – and your willingness to explore the process of healing from trauma – may connect with and impact readers?
PS: I think stories have a way of making people feel seen, especially when they reflect struggles that aren’t always openly talked about. Remember is, at its core, about trauma, memory, and survival. The plot itself is completely fiction, but the story isn’t—what happens to Portia happens to women all over the world. She also struggles with social anxiety, which adds another layer to her healing. It’s hard to move forward when being around people feels overwhelming, and that’s something I really wanted to explore. Healing isn’t just about processing trauma—it’s about reconnecting with the world in a way that feels safe, and that’s not easy. But it’s possible. I hope readers who have ever felt lost, isolated, or like their past defines them can find something in Portia’s journey that resonates.
BD: What makes Datura Books the perfect home for your story?
PS: For starters, as an Emo girlie, their logo is sick! More importantly, Datura Books publishes novels that push boundaries and explore tough, real-world issues. They don’t shy away from dark, emotional, or unconventional narratives, which made them the perfect fit for Remember. This book isn’t just a psychological thriller—it’s also a deep dive into trauma, memory, and healing. I’m thrilled to have a publisher that understood the layers of that and wouldn’t water it down, and Datura fully embraced it. Working with them has felt like the right match from the start.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
PS: Oh, so many! Aside from being an author, I’m also a screenwriter and filmmaker, so I always have projects in the queue. Right now, I’m working on my next novel, Dead Skinny. All I can say for now is that it’s about a girl struggling with a mental health issue… and there’s a dead body involved. I’m starting to think that girls, trauma, and dead bodies might just be my thing, because they show up in my pilot scripts and features, too. But with screenwriting, I do push myself out of my comfort zone a bit more, so there’s definitely some variety in the stories I tell.
I also shot a book trailer for Remember, which premiered on April 8th! I’m super excited about that—I love combining my love for film and storytelling, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Remember and your other work?
PS: I’m a millennial so I am very active on Instagram. You’ll not only know everything about Remember but what I ate for breakfast – @patriciashanaesmith, but I also have a website. I’m working on being more professional – www.patriciashanaesmith.com
