The Book
Title: Mojo
Author: Kris Sedersten
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Supernatural, Horror
Review copy provided by the author. Visit the author’s website.
Read my review for Mojo.
Author Interview
1) Hello Kris! I really enjoyed reading your novel Mojo. I’ve heard that you’ve written one other novel prior to writing Mojo. Can you tell us something about that novel?
I wrote my first novel, The Spirit Seekers, in 2008. It is the story of Scottie Brown’s first encounter with the paranormal; a prequel to Mojo. It was sort of a goof and I put the story together without ever intending to publish it. But, one thing led to another and I did decide to publish. The Spirit Seekers is a good story but the text is pretty rough and it I now believe I published it too soon. I did not work with an editor then and the manuscript could have used more editing and rewriting throughout. Through the experience of writing that first novel I realized how much I love to write and I decided to take the whole process much more seriously. Over the past three years I have worked toward improving my writing skills and developing a creative style while learning everything I can about the publishing business. I am now working with an editor who constantly challenges me and I think that was a good step for me.
2) Mojo is all about ghosts, haunted mansions, ancient family secrets, devil worshipping, and other scary things that go bump in the night. Why did you choose to write a horror novel, and why focus on these subjects?
I’ve always loved horror stories and I have a passion for the paranormal so I can’t even imagine writing about anything else. Much of the paranormal fiction today focuses on vampires and werewolves. There aren’t too many good old fashioned ghost stories out there and I wanted to write something original that would appeal to those who appreciate a good scare.
3) Now, I really have to ask this question because it’s been haunting me ever since I read Mojo, and fell in love with the description of the haunted mansion that plays a large part in the novel. Is the Bennet family mansion based on an actual house, or just a result of your imagination?
It isn’t based on one specific house but it is a combination of “haunted houses” I have explored at one time or another. Much of the “mojo” in the mansion is how I imagine a haunted southern plantation would look like and feel to a visitor.
4.) What was your favorite scary movie/book/story back when you were a child?
I always love watching The Wizard Of OZ as a child. My sister and I would cuddle together and watch the movie. Then, we’d be too afraid to go to bed. Our Dad would get so disgusted with us! There was a soap opera called Dark Shadows that came on every afternoon when I was in grade school. The main characters were vampires, witches, ghosts, and any combination of paranormal creations. We loved that show too.
5) To stay in the spirit of ghosts, haunting, and other scary things: have you ever seen a ghost? Or just had the feeling that a place was haunted?
I am the founder of Synergy Paranormal Investigations. We are a new group of paranormal investigators from central Nebraska. I have been in places that I absolutely believe are haunted locations but I have never seen a ghost—so far! It’s on my list though! I have experienced “cold spots”, electrical appliances turning on by themselves, and other unexplained phenomena that help to inspire my writing and motivate me! Exploring the unexplained is so fun!
6) Are you currently working on another novel? If so, can you tell us something about it?
I am in the process of rewriting The Spirit Seekers. As I mentioned earlier, it is a good story but it needed some work. I decided to polish the story and later this year I will publish it under the title, Lost Mojo. It is in the editing process at this time. I am also working on the third installment of the Mojo series. The first draft of that story is finished, now comes the tedious task of tweaking the craftsmanship, deciding what to leave in and what to take out! I plan to publish a non-fiction collection of ghost stories I am compiling from my website, the case files of Synergy Paranormal Investigations, and stories from other teams in the area who are willing to share their experiences.
So, yeah, I am crazy busy! I want to thank you so much for inviting me to join you. I’d love to hear from anyone who has read Mojo. All comments are appreciated. Mojo is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. (also in Kindle version) Please feel free to visit my website <a href=”http://www.krissedersten.com”>http://krissedersten.com</a> and leave a comment or share a story.
Thank you so much for the interview, Kris!
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