Kathy’s regular blog, “God, Ghosts and Gut Instincts” will return on Wednesday, Jan. 23.

Thank you to Janice Oberding  for sending this traveling blog my way. This strong woman played a pivotal role preserving my sanity during the odd experiences I faced before, during and after the Goldfield Hotel. She continues to inspire me today.

Writing about my spiritual life ranks among one of the more uncomfortable hurtles I’ve faced. You see, like most passionate authors, I’m compelled to share what’s in my soul. It isn’t my choice. It is my destiny.

 What’s the working title of your book? A Reluctant Spirit: A True Tale of God, Ghosts and a Skeptical Christian.

Where did the idea come from for this book? My experience at the Goldfield Hotel (in central Nevada) shook me to my spiritual and intellectual core. I could no longer hide behind my convictions that “smart people don’t believe in the paranormal” and “Christians can’t interact with the spirit world or they’ll go to hell.”

What genre does your book fall under? Spirituality memoir/nonfiction paranormal. Yes, nonfiction ghosts. I imagine the eye rolls of many of the agents I’ve queried. I’ve written myself into a tough spot: my book isn’t New Age, yet Christian publishers wouldn’t dare publish my manuscript since it would give many conservative Christians the vapors.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Meryl Streep and Robert Redford from the Out of Africa era. I’ve been told I’ve resembled Streep since she was in Kramer vs. Kramer and Ken (my significant other) has the same rugged, determined good looks Redford possessed in the ‘80s. And, since Janice Oberding features prominently in my book, I honor her choice to be played by Angelina Jolie!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? I think I’ve generally conveyed that already, so instead I’ll share my overriding message: never close yourself to the greater reality of our world.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? As I write this, an agent is reading my manuscript. Since my small niche correlates with an even tinier agent pool to query, I’m considering the eBook route to further boost my author platform and get my story out.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? About five months. I rewrote the book five times in the first year. My manuscript was polished in 2010 (thanks to the critique group I belong to) — about 24 months after I started it.

Who or what inspired you to write this book? The experience, mired in my mind, demanded attention. I believe the Divine is behind all inspiration and creativity.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Hollywood’s portrayal of the paranormal is completely wrong.

A week from today the Next Big Thing Blog will appear at Susan Winter’s blog, http://createontheside.wordpress.com/

Tune in a week from tomorrow for Kathleen’s next post: “Something supernatural lurking in your home? Perhaps it’s a jinn.”