Today, I’m chatting with Kathy Conder about her debut book, Hauntings, Spirits, & Eats Michigan.
Seasoned paranormal investigator, Kathy Conder draws on her experience with the paranormal to highlight different locations throughout Michigan that are reportedly haunted. Â She includes restaurants, pubs, and hotels for those travelers who want to add a little paranormal spice to their trips. Â Each establishment is listed by its location in the state and offers readers the history and hauntings connected to each. Â For those who are interested in exploring the mysterious world of the paranormal, this book is a great starting point for planning your next Michigan trip.
Q & A
CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today. Share a bit of your background before we delve more into your book.
KATHY: I was a Zoology major in college. I wrote for my university paper and have written articles on the paranormal for other publications. This is the first time I have written a book.
CHRISTINA: Tell us about your new book.
KATHY: As director for a paranormal group, I am often asked where the haunted places are in Michigan. I decided that by writing a book, I could list places that I knew in an organized format that was user-friendly. I would also be able to include some history on each location and my personal experiences if there were any. While I loved the idea of basing the book on Michigan’s “haunted hot spots,” I didn’t want it to read like a road atlas. People love a good story – especially a scary one and I had lots to share!
CHRISTINA: What inspired you to write this book?
KATHY: For some reason, I felt the timing was right. I was still somewhat reluctant to begin and even more so, admit to friends and family that I had. That meant I was accountable. It was official. Once I made that commitment, the rest was easier. I had days where the words flowed and others where I stalled and sat on the floor assembling Lego sets for the grandkids. The most important thing to me was to complete the book. I did and for me it will always be a symbol of my accomplishment.
CHRISTINA: What kind of research did you do?
KATHY: Most of my research is done on the job. I admit that I find myself in more than my share of reportedly haunted places, studying and exploring. What I have learned over the years has been through my experiences. Evidence of paranormal activity is often anecdotal. There is, as of now, no scientific evidence to prove its existence. I do extensive research on the history of different locations since hauntings can often be related to what occurred there in the past. For that information, I have found the local historical societies are a valuable resource. Local libraries and on-line sources have a wealth of information as well.
CHRISTINA: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?
KATHY: Writing is hard!
CHRISTINA: How long did you take to write the book?
KATHY: I think it was a year-long process.
CHRISTINA: Describe your writing space.
KATHY: I write at my husband’s grandmother’s desk. I have surrounded myself with things that make me happy. I tried hard to make it my own. I find that once I sit in that space, my mind seems to switch to writing-mode.
CHRISTINA: What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
KATHY: Disciplining myself. Doubting myself. I tend to second-guess a lot!
CHRISTINA: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
KATHY: I don’t think it is interesting, but I have found music to be extremely grounding. From day to day, the music varies with my moods. I thought it might be distracting but it is the opposite. It helps me to focus.
CHRISTINA: Does writing energize or exhaust you?
KATHY: Both, equally!
CHRISTINA: What advice would you give to new writers – someone just starting out?
KATHY: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Writing is a learning process. Set up a writing schedule and stick to it, even you don’t get much written.
CHRISTINA: Where can we learn more about you and your book?
KATHY: You can find my book, Hauntings, Spirits, & Eats Michigan on Amazon and Goodreads, and you can find me on Michigan Paranormal Encounters on Facebook.
MY REVIEW
Kathy has done a great job researching over eighty haunted places in Michigan—lighthouses, inns, pubs, museums and more. I enjoyed reading the history of the sites as well as Kathy’s personal accounts as a paranormal investigator with thirty-eight years of experience. The perfect road trip book for all things spooky and historical in Michigan.
As a writer, I’m constantly asking my fictional characters about their motives, backstories, hopes, dreams, and fears. Over the years, I’ve become more empathetic to the choices we make in our own lives.
