Westerdale
Westerdale was dictated to me by Spirit when I was 19 years of age. It was inevitable that the novel would surface again as it is the second book from the pen of Emily Bronte which was destroyed by her sister Charlotte before it was finished. It was only when I visited the Haworth Parsonage and saw this spirit again and the portrait of Emily that I realised who she was. She was one of the most difficult spirits I have worked with as a Spirit writer as she was a real perfectionist!
In what ways does writing help you through times of depression and anxiety?
I find it a release of pent-up "bad" energy and a means of escape from the faulty brain chemistry I was born with. Losing myself in a story that Spirit and I are creating is both calming and invigorating. Most of the spirits that come through bring a lot of love and many have a great sense of humour as well which lifts me even on my darkest days when it is impossible to leave my bed.
When did you frost realise that you had psychic abilities?
I was five when I started hearing and seeing Spirit. My grandfather came to me and told me that he was sad he passed just before I was born. He told me I had special powers and would be required as a channel in my adult years. Now I do healing as well as Spirit writing but they are totally different and require tuning on alternate levels with different energies. As a healer you must remain passive and be used as a channel but with Spirit writing I can give as good as I get energy-wise!
One review said that it should be made into a TV drama, so who would play your main characters if that were to become a reality?
As far as Heaton goes I have no idea who could play him! The man has remained an enigma since he first burst into my brain over thirty years ago. To me he is so ethereal and elusive I would defy anyone to portray him since he exists on so many levels. But I am sure someone with a greater brain than mine could cast him. As for Elizabeth I think Keira Knightly in her gentler moments could do justice to the role and for Rachel I visualise someone with a strong character like Nicole Kidman.
How much inspiration do you find when walking on the isolated Yorkshire Moors?
Walking in isolated scenery far from the madding crowd is always conducive to mental stimulation for me. The stresses and strains of everyday life seem to recede into the background so fresh ideas come to the fore. The Yorkshire moors have always been close to my heart because of their connection with my much loved departed father and the peace that transcends whilst on them starts my creative juices flowing. On a more scientific level the endorphins released during walking helps my depression.
How long have you been a vegan for and why did you decide to become one?
I was brought up to treat animals as my equals and respect all living things so I have been vegan most of my life. I cannot view an animal as food and I believe that they are not ours to eat, experiment on. shoot for sport, hunt or abuse in any way. My spiritual view of ahisma means harm nothing and nobody as you pass this way and being vegan ensures this. The diet is absolutely amazing nowadays and you can get a vegan version of just about anything even marshmallows! Wish they had been about in my youth!
Please tell us about your strong spiritual views that leave no room for money or materialism.
To me the very core essence of life is Spiritualism - it is how I live every aspect of my existence. I follow a strict spiritual code that rejects any form of religion but means I live a morally "good" life without embracing any form of doctrine. Since money and materialism are soulless objects and meaningless to me I have no desire for them and any profit I make from my books will be used to upgrade the cat rescue I run with a friend. We try to provide a better life for the strays of Morley, West Yorkshire. That is the only spiritual purpose of money - to put it to good use and bring a better life to those who suffer. Thus the only things I value in life are simple pleasures such as time spent with empathetic friends, the beauty of an autumn sunrise and my darling cats. All the money in the world could not bring me this richness of spirit and despite material poverty I am indeed a blessed individual.
Who are your favourite authors?
It has to be the Brontes and of course that classic masterpiece Wuthering Heights. I also enjoy Thomas Hardy and other classical writers like Dickens. A Christmas Carol is a perfect moral example of the dangers of coveting riches.
What is next for you?
I have just started my eighth novel, Winter Violet, communing with a spirit called Violet Winter who is anxious to tell her sad story through my writing. And I am hoping there will be a prequel to Westerdale telling the early story of Heaton's life, if Spirit will oblige. I ask nightly that my books generate enough money to build a proper cattery and so ensure no abandoned felines of Morley sleep rough and hungry.