MP-Tell us about Lola?
BW-First things first, Michel – I’m grateful that you invited me to do this Q&A, and I’m honored that you’re going to share this with your readers!
Lola, the main character in ‘Hollowing Screams’ is not a figment of my imagination, but in fact was a genuine psychic medium. A mutual friend introduced me to her in the early 70s. She, along with her mentally disabled daughter, lived in an old broken down trailer about forty miles outside of town. She didn’t advertise her unique ability, nor did she ever charge a fee for a reading. If she saw you out, say at the market getting groceries, she would pick you out of the crowd and begin reading you. Word of mouth spread about her accurate predictions, and I couldn’t wait to meet her – find out what all the hype was about. Without going into detail, she spoke of my past as if she were there, and predicted several major occurrences in detail about my life that unfolded many years later. People said she was a gypsy of sorts, as she didn’t stay in one place for any length of time. Upon my second visit, I found the decrepit trailer abandoned and the front door padlocked. She seemed to have mysteriously vanished, along with her daughter, into thin air.
MP-What makes the hair on the back of your neck rise up?
BW-Wow, I would have to say reading, or watching anything that has to do with demonic possession sends chills up my spine – human demonic possession that is. Recently I wrote a short story entitled, ‘Spirits of a Jester’ in which a doll is possessed with several evil entities and thoroughly enjoyed writing it, lol! In fact, my co-author, Betty Dravis and I released a collection of six short stories of paranormal/horror entitled, ‘Six-Pack of Blood’ in which ‘Spirits of a Jester’ is included. It actually won an honorary horror award from Zodiac Entertainment – quite proud of that.
MP-Do you research to put a twist on events that really happened?
BW-I often do research when writing a story, especially if the story involves actual facts. However, I count on my muse to show me the way when the time is ready to weave my web, lol.
MP-What inspires your stories?
BW-People, human nature, places, things – anything and everything really! I can be out at dinner somewhere, look over at someone, and begin to imagine – Could they be harboring a deep dark secret – a murderous past maybe? I often take from my own nightmares when creating a tale of horror and suspense. Okay, now I’m just scaring myself, lol!
Of all your books who was the scariest character for you?
I’d have to say of all the chilling characters that I have produced ‘Shannon’ in ‘Hollowing Screams’ was the most fun to create. If you follow ‘Stephen King’ and you’ve read ‘Misery’, then you’re familiar with the character ‘Annie Wilkes’ – Let’s just say that, well, these two gals would have been the best of friends…! If you’re not familiar with Stephen King’s work then you’re probably not into horror – which sucks for me, lol! On the other hand, if horror is your cup of tea – pour yourself a huge cup of ‘Hollowing Screams’ and quench your thirst…!
BLURB: HOLLOWING SCREAMS
It is bizarre to say in our civilized culture some human beings still act out in a violent primitive manner causing bodily harm and death. For this reason alone incarcerating facilities will always exist. The terror of being thrust into a world in which time cannot be calculated, distance cannot be measured, and our own true existence is in question is incomprehensible. In 1971, a mysterious stranger warned a small community of their impending doom. She prophesied that if they ignored her warnings they would experience a chain of devastating events. The outcome of their fate would remain in whether they chose to believe in something that could not be scientifically validated. Is it safe to say that unexplained phenomenon does exist? If you asked the people of Patton, they would say, “Of course it does and its name is Lola.”
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