One Woman's Writing Retreat: Interview

Troy Taylor

Part I

Ghost Hunter

by Catherine Tudor

CT: How many of us do you suppose believe in ghosts?

TT: It has been said there are two different kinds of people . . . those who believe in ghosts, and those who won't admit it. I am not sure that is entirely the case, but it's amazing when you ask around. You can almost always find someone who has had an unexplained experience, and if not them, then their sister, or neighbor, or aunt.

I think ghosts and hauntings are an integral part of our culture . . . and that there are more believers out there than you might think!

CT: What first drew you to the paranormal?

TT: Most people are disappointed to hear that I have simply been interested in it all my life. . . no life-changing encounters or anything. In all honesty though, I had a life-changing book that I discovered called Haunted Houses, by Richard Winer. I first read it when I was about 12 or 13. It's about a writer who travels all over the country and writes about true hauntings. After reading it, I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

CT: You are a publisher, Webmaster, author, founder of the American Ghost Society. You run tours, conduct investigations, research, attend book signings, organize conferences, and write a newsletter. You recently appeared in "Ghost Waters", on The Learning Channel, and have mentioned an upcoming movie. Any tips on how you manage your time so well?

TT: You're kidding, right? I am the world's best scrambler. I work best under pressure and against deadlines. I am also blessed with the ability to write quickly and accurately. However, most importantly, is the fact that I love what I do! I feel so lucky to be able to spend my days and nights doing exactly what I want to be doing. I think that's a major factor in why I keep so busy.

CT: It is obvious you are driven. What is your goal?

TT: Really, to be able to do what I want to be doing with my life and make a living at it. I am never going to be Stephen King or John Grisham, however, I am happy doing what I am and want to continue for as long as the readers want me to.

CT: How does a ghost hunter differ from a parapsychologist?

TT: Parapsychologists are trained scientists who deal with all aspects of the paranormal, including ghosts and psychic phenomena. Ghost hunters are normally lay individuals who are searching for evidence of ghosts. In my own case, I am usually trying to validate my writings and researching out of curiosity. I have no formal training in the field. Instead, I have adapted investigative techniques, law enforcement training and just plain common sense to hunt for strange activity.

CT: In your newsletter, you have discussed your frustration at sometimes being represented unfairly by the media. Without naming specific incidents, is this a common problem?

TT: Unfortunately, it depends on the writers. No one seems to just report the news anymore . . . news writers seem to be more interested in their own agendas these days. If they are non-believers, they will try to slant the articles so that anyone interested in the field is crazy, thus alienating the readers who believe there is something to all of this. Recently, we had a situation with a writer who decided to simply make up the story and wrote about several incidents which simply did not occur. He couldn't get over the idea that there were actually rational people who believed in ghosts (because he didn't) so he set out to really be cruel to the people he interviewed. Not exactly responsible journalism, in my opinion.

CT: Tell us more about your new museum in Illinois. Why do you feel it's important, and what kind of donations are you looking for?

TT: The museum is really a way to chronicle the history of research into ghosts and hauntings. We are looking at the way it evolved from the Spiritualist movement to the researchers of the 1930s and 1940s, up until today. This is something that has never been done before and I feel this is a part of our culture and a part that has been largely ignored. That was one of our main reasons for doing it, plus, It has been a lot of fun!

We are trying to track down anything about ghost research and Spiritualism, from Ouija boards to séance implements to books, materials, articles, just about anything dealing with ghosts, especially older items.

CT: With the success of recent films like The Blair Witch, The Haunting, The Sixth Sense, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, have you seen more traffic to your Web site?

TT: Yes, I would say that Hollywood has increased the public's interest in the occult and ghosts . . . along with the coming millennium. That has been a factor as well. With any turn of the century, you see an increase in occult interest. The fact that this is a turn of the millennium as well has just intensified this.

CT: What was your reaction to any of those movies? Any that you liked? Disliked? Why?

TT: Well, The Haunting was simply terrible. It was completely out of control and way too Spielberg-ish for my taste. It was a good cast, although Liam Neeson did look a little embarrassed. The Blair Witch Project was a great concept and a great success. I actually saw the film last February, long before the official release, and it scared the hell out of me! Eventually though, the hype started to wear down and I got tired of the 10-20 emails that I got every day asking me about the "real" Blair Witch and what happened to those kids. You wouldn't believe the angry responses that I got from people who insisted it was real! The Sixth Sense was incredible! It was the first movie to really deal with ghost photos and recordings in a realistic way and what a cast and ending! Definitely one of the best paranormal films of all time!

CT: Do you have a favorite novel or movie pertaining to the supernatural?

TT: I have several actually, but a couple of the best movies are the George C. Scott film, The Changeling, and Ghost Busters. That one is a scream and has really given people an idea of what ghost hunters do . . . in other words, it's nothing like the movie! Stephen King's The Shining is probably the best ghost story that I have read, although I have many other favorite older writers who have published some great tales like Charles Dickens, F. Marion Crawford, WW Jacobs, EF Benson and of course, MR James.

CT: Have you ever been in a situation that frightened you, or left you feeling uneasy?

TT: It happens sometimes, mostly because of my own uneasiness or fears than because of ghosts. Some places are simply more atmospheric than others and if you stop to think about why you are in that abandoned house, deserted cemetery, or empty church . . . looking for the spirits of dead people . . . then yes, you can get creeped out, so to speak.

CT: You host an annual Halloween conference in Illinois. Tell us about your "Dead of Winter" event.

TT: Actually, we host the "Haunted Halloween Weekend," but our largest conference is our "National Conference" each summer in Illinois. We usually have 5-6 different speakers, tours, and 150-200 ghost hunters from all over the country. "The Dead Of Winter" event will be to celebrate the release of my book, Haunted Alton, which is the first book ever written about what some have called "one of the most haunted small towns in America." It will be a free event, although reservations are required, with readings, book signings and speaking. We also plan to offer one of our ghost tours of the city. It will be held on January 29, 2000, from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at our History & Hauntings Book Co. at 515 East Third Street in Alton, Illinois.

CT: Any advice for writers?

TT: My only advice is to keep working hard at your craft . . . keep submitting, writing and publishing. The general public takes writing for granted and doesn't realize what hard work it is and how much energy it takes to keep going. My advice is to never give up and to just keep working at it. If you want to succeed badly enough, you'll make it. It will take time and patience (something I am sorely lacking!) but it will happen.

Part II: Riverboat Molly's Book Company and Haunted Illinois

Relevant Links:

• Illinois Spotlight: Riverboat Molly's Book Company
• Ghosts of the Prairie
• Whitechapel Productions Press
• The Haunted Museum
• American Ghost Society

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