Behind the Scenes of My Latest Short Story: Hunger for Perfection
Updated: Sep 29
What if you met a combination of Patrick Bateman and Ed Gein, but they were studying to be a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills? If this concept sounds intriguing to you, pre-order Tales from the Menu now!
The Inspiration:
In 20220, at twenty-eight year sold, I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. My mental health took a nosedive from the lack of hormones combined with the sheer horror of this diagnosis. I was planning on having more children after my husband and I purchased our first home. Shortly after the move, I started experiencing (what I now know to be) symptoms of menopause. Long story short, I was set up with great doctors who got me started me on Hormone Replacement Therapy. However, I was unsettled by the physical changes in my body from drastic hormone fluctuations, weight changes, and a full hysterectomy. I had abdominal pain and little confidence, feeling as if my body rejected the fertile goddess persona I so wanted to embody.
In 2025, after countless hours of therapy and unyielding support from my husband, I made an appointment with a plastic surgeon who diagnosed me with an umbilical hernia. In a nutshell, it was like the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. At the appointment I decided to undergo a full mommy-make over . . . I have no regrets!
I was a little nervous on the day of the operation, I'll admit. My mind did what I imagine most writers’ do in situations where they're uncomfortable or bored, I started formulating a story. I’ve always been a bit of a serial killer buff, having wanted to pursue Forensic Psychology at one point, and Monster: The Ed Gein Story was at the forefront of my mind. Patrick Bateman from American Psycho has always been a cross reference red flag detector for me, and those moments of disassociation, my pulled inspiration from those two tales. While healing, I combined that inspiration with my experience which all led to me writing “Hunger for Perfection.”
A few months back, I saw that submissions were open for an upcoming anthology through Exploitation Media with a theme of cannibalism. I felt my short story would be a perfect fit! After several rounds of revisions, additions made for clarity to the plot, and a new title (thanks to feedback from Raymond Brunell) "Hunger for Perfection" was completed, submitted, and accepted. It was like Christmas morning when I read the acceptance e-mail.
I also want to thank my feedback group from the Writers of Kern for allowing me to bombard them with my gross stories — every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. All their collective wisdom and life experiences never cease to inspire me.
-Theresa Simms
Works Cited:
Harron, Mary, director. American Psycho. Lions Gate Films, 2000.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Created by Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy, performance by Charlies Hunnam, season 3. Netflix, 2025. Netflix, www.netflic.com/title/81783093.
Muneroff, Laura Joffe. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Harper and Row, 1985.
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