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Scott
Nicholson has written a rather intriguing ghost story.
The title alone is what got me to click on the icon
and buy the kindle book version. Speed Dating with
the Dead. “Dead” in the title told
me there would be a constant morbid theme of the deceased,
while at the same time, having the title start with
“Speed dating” gives it a modern era feel.
On
a personal note, this is my first kindle book. I do
realize I am way behind on this as this is nothing new
in the electronic age, but I figured it was better late
than never. At first I wasn’t sure how I would
like it, but fortunately this story did help. I can
see why so many have latched onto this kind of reading.
Where
to start?
Scott
Nicholson writes in very simple terms but not to the
point that it is dumbed down. The characters. The different
perspectives of each character are what had me continuing
to read. My favorite character is Kendra. There are
so many different characters I am sure that there is
someone for everyone to gravitate towards and claim
as their favorite, yet Kendra was mine from the first
moment she first made an appearance. Of all the characters,
she is the one I found I connected to the most. Her
past, never seems to be in the past, it haunts every
waking moment of her life yet she pushes on and has
found an outlet for her pent up angst. She can be very
strong, outspoken and forthright. Then again, she has
her moments where she comes across as vulnerable, which
I found to be a very endearing trait.
As
far as the descriptions of each background. Every scene
seemed to leap of the pages, to the point where you
can picture every room, and imagine every scent.
Then
there is the story itself. Is there real ghost activity
here in the pages of this story? There is a constant
game of cat and mouse throughout the whole story on
this question. Sometimes it appears that we only see
what we want to see. Then again, there are some moments
that told you we are not alone. Quite honestly, those
were the moments that had me taking a quick deep breath
as they caught me off guard every time. The different
perspectives seemed to show that the book about the
afterlife is a lot more than a black and white issue.
Here in these pages it became a diamond. Full of different
facets, and depending on what direction you faced it,
you saw and felt things completely different. Basically-
forget about everything else you have ever read about
ghosts, as this book is about to blow up every theory
that has been formulated in the past.
Highly
recommended reading.
I reached out to Scott recently and asked if he would
be okay with a short Q & A, to let the readers of
myshelf.com
get to know him, and he has taken time out of his busy
schedule to do just that.
Corky:
Good day Scott. Thank you for your time. Just a few
questions to let your readers know a little about you
and possibly a few people who don’t know about
you to do the same.
How
do you get started with writing Speed Dating with
the Dead and how did you get the inspiration for
it?
Scott
Nicholson: I was pursuing paranormal investigation
as a hobby and hosted a couple of paranormal conferences.
One was held at the Green park Inn, an ancient resort
on the Eastern continental divide in the Blue Ridge
Mountains. We had Some very interesting experiences
with about 120 gHost hunters filling up the place and
prowling around with equipment. I had the sensation
of being “touched”—my only personal
paranormal experience ever—and some video and
imaging equipment yielded intriguing results. Plus the
people were really cool. In fact, part of the reason
for hosting the event was to get experience to write
the novel!
Corky: Do you have a favorite character in Sdwtd,
and if so who is it?
Scott
Nicholson: I’d have to go with Digger Wilson,
since he’s an extension of my character. I used
to dress up as “THE DIGGER,” a narrator
character in my comic series “DIRT.” He’s
basically a crusty undertaker who introduces stories
like that “Tales from the crypt” guy, only
hopefully with slightly better looks.
Corky:
The hotel (the white horse inn) seemed very specific.
Is there a hotel that fits this description?
Scott
Nicholson: Yes, a lot of it is directly from the
Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, NC. You can google to
learn about its ghost stories. It even has a green horse
statue outside!
Corky:
Your characters seem very genuine and real, especially
Kendra, Roach, and digger. Are these characters based
upon real people in your life?
Scott
Nicholson: Sort of based on a lot of the people
there, although a lot of the time it is several people
blended into one. I did have a Real team—PARANORMAL
SCENE INVESTIAGORS, or P.S.I.—organizing and leading
the hunts, so they were the basis for my fictional SPIRIT
SEEKERS INTERNATIONAL.
Corky:
The book deals with paranormal activities. Have you
ever experienced anything like what happened in the
book?
Scott
Nicholson: Well, I am sort of an open-minded skeptic.
I believe in the possibility of ghosts but have yet
to encounter convincing evidence.
Corky:
If approached with the right offer, would you consider
having Sdwtd turned into a movie?
Scott
Nicholson: Sure, I think it would be fun and it
wouldn’t cost much to make. Are you listening,
Speilberg?
Corky:
If your readers only take one thing from sdwtd, what
would you want it to be?
Scott
Nicholson: I’m primarily interested in the
big questions of “Why are we here, what does it
mean, and what happens after that?” So that runs
through all my work, the search for love and faith and
belonging amid the bigger mysteries of life.
Scott
Nicholson's Website
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