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1. What inspired your story for Southern Haunts Vol 2?

“Let Demon Dogs Lie” in Southern Haunts Vol. 2 was inspired by the Demon Dog of Valle Crucis legend of North Carolina.

2. Who inspired your characters?

No one in particular, since it was two men in the original story and not a husband and wife in my story. They just came from my head.

3.What made you contribute to this anthology?

Because I love reading mythology and legends, and had just did a devil story for another anthology, so when heard about Devils in the Darkness, I looked for some demon legend no one might not have heard of to be the basis for my scary tale. (The other story I did with a devil was Lucifer himself, this time I focused on a hound of Hell—always infamous for dragging souls to the pit.

4. Have you ever had any paranormal experiences? What were they?

Yes, I have. Many times, since I was young. First time I can say I saw a “solid”, was when I was in the 9th grade and on a field trip for my geography class in San Diego, California in 1969. My best friend, Debbie, and I had finished eating at Taco Bell across the street, and we went over to look through the windows at the Whaley House. I peered through the window into what looked like a courtroom (at this time, I hadn’t visited the museum before) and saw this woman of short height, with her black hair in a bun and wearing a dress from I assumed the 1800s (or Old West) walking from where the judge would sit to the doorway at the other end of room and stepped through it. I ran to stare through the window my friend vacated to see a hallway, but no woman. Debbie suggested we go in as the front door was open (it was a nice spring) and we came to three women in ordinary clothing sitting by a desk. I asked, “Where was the tour guide in costume?” One woman said they didn’t wear costumes and I had said I saw one in the courtroom. I was to describe her and after I did, the same woman said I had seen the ghost of Mrs. Whaley.  Since then, I have seen other solids, heard voices, etc...

5. What frightens you?

If I ever came across a real “demon” spirit, that might. Ghosts haven’t frightened me. But spiders and scorpions do freak me out. And I hate heights.

6.Would you willingly live in a haunted house?

Been living in one now. Not sure why the new house we had built and bought where nothing has been on the land before except swamp would be, but started past three years. Maybe because of the books, or me paranormal investigating, or we live in area where some well-known haunted houses are. Maybe because I am mediumistic? I gave the ghosts rules when they do one thing wrong or uncomfortable for me, or my husband and adult son, and seemingly they obey the rules. So, it hasn’t been bad living in my house.

7.Tell us about your life as an author.  What are your inspirations? Your interests?

I write at least everything, even if some days not as much as others. I also do research—especially when I was or am working on the nonfiction ghost books. Some of looking up stuff is for my fiction, which is mainly horror, fantasy and some science fiction. I also like to work on poetry too. 

8.What other writing projects might you be working on?

A fifth nonfiction ghost book for Schiffer Publishing. A supernatural horror novel. Also soon to work on a science fiction novella another publisher has asked me to write. And I also write under the pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, and have two paranormal romances to edit and send off to two publishers owed.

9.Besides writing what other talents might you have?

Done acting on stage and in films/TV. Co-producing with a friend of my husband ‘s and mine who is a professional videographer and owns AVA Productions, Paranormal World Seekers-put on DVDs. Been casting for a local indie film, and wrote a horror screenplay for another indie producer. I also like to costume—less than I used to—making and sewing costumes to wear at conventions. That is a hobby.

10. Who are some of your favorite authors?

Ray Bradbury. Edgar Allan Poe. H.P. Lovecraft. Shirley Jackson. JRR Tolkien. Jim Butcher. Anne McCaffrey. J.R. Ward. J. K. Rowlings. Madeline L-Engle.

11.What other books have you written?

Four nonfiction ghost books: Haunted Richmond, Virginia, Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths and True Tales, Virginia's Haunted Historic Triangle: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown, and Other Haunted Locations, and Haunted Richmond II. Fiction: Spectre Nightmares and Visitations (a collection of my horror and dark fantasy stories), and have short stories in anthologies—like the other devil one, “Devil in the Details” in Harboring Secrets, and a short horror story, “Bottled Spirits” published by Buzzymag.com in 2012, that was runner up for the 2013 WSFA Small Press Award. As Sapphire Phelan, several, but latest is The Witch and The Familiar, published by Phaze Books.

12. How do you overcome writer’s block?

If I find myself unable to continue writing on one manuscript, I just tackle another for that day. Then the next day or even two days later, return to the original one. It has worked for me.