Interview with paranormal investigator, Denise Mott
When I first met Denise Mott, in September of 2011 at a paranormal investigation, I was immediately struck by her passion for the paranormal. Being somebody who is attracted to this subject myself, I quickly became engrossed in the evening's investigation – and Denise's warmth, intellect and desire for serious study of this fascinating subject was something that immediately grabbed me.
Curious about the paranormal since the tender age of 6, when Denise saw a mysterious figure at the end of her bed, Denise has been gaining insight and knowledge about this subject for many years. She runs Compass Paranormal Events, a group where she leads people, with the help of staff, into some of the UK's most haunted locations. Also leading a UK theatre tour called Psychic & Science, Denise is involved in many areas of live investigation.
I have met Denise twice, and I have found her to be a wonderfully fascinating person. I asked her if she'd do an interview for this blog and she happily agreed. So if you have any interest in the paranormal, I hope you find something to grab your interested in this question and answer session!
Happy reading.
1. Denise, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what first got you interested in the paranormal?
Hi Fiona, now if I answered this question fully I would give away all the details of my book that I am currently writing and hoping to get published early 2012. It's all about my journey and how I came to work in the Paranormal world so I hope you understand if I don't answer the question – the book has yet to be given a title so any suggestions from your readers would be welcome!!
2. You run a paranormal investigative team called Compass Paranormal Events. How did you first conceive of running a group like this, and what has your experience been like so far?
Having spent years doing private investigations I wanted to show others what we were experiencing rather than just telling them about our nights and so it was a very natural progression into the public arena in forming Compass Paranormal Events, again not to give too many details away it's been a rollercoaster of a ride, some good, some bad but on the whole a very good experience meeting lots of wonderful people on the way it has been hard work but so rewarding and enjoyable .
3. Do you feel you have genuinely experienced paranormal happenings at any your events?
Yes I do Fiona, a lot of things can be explained rationally but what I would like to add is we give our guests when they join us the opportunity to step into our shoes and become the Investigators for the night.
It is their night and their experiences we are as a team there to guide and help them and I personally think it's wonderful when they take on board what we say and genuinely open their minds and thoughts to what they see, feel, and experience whilst they are with us. So to answer your question we have had many a fantastic a night when we cannot hand on heart rationalise the things we have heard and seen. If anyone would like to read our Past event reports they are always on our site.
4. You have been fortunate enough to work with some of the world's most respected mediums. Most Haunted's Barrie John, Chris Conway and Brian Shepherd have all worked with you. What are these men like to work with, and how did they become involved with your group and tour?
I have been very fortunate to be able to work with these fabulous people, they are all extremely caring and genuine people and I am very lucky to be able to call them my personal friends. Ba rrie John has been with Compass from the very beginning and his continued help and support over the years has been amazing, however due to his own work commitments at this time is not as available to work every weekend with us (hopefully this will dispel any rumours that Barrie is no longer working with us) Chinese whispers in the paranormal world are notorious, probably just wishful thinking from a small negative bunch. Barrie and Chris are very professional mediums who have astounded me and guests with their accuracy and messages of a personal nature which they have always delivered with true professionalism. Brian Shepherd due to his ill health last year has not worked alongside us for a while but I am so pleased to see that he has made a full recovery and so I hope that in 2012 he will be able to join us for some events. rian is a true gentleman and very gifted in his psychic art which our guests truly enjoyed on our events.
5. What do your family and friends think of your passion for the dark side of life? Have you had any strange reactions when you tell people what you do for a living?
It sounds like I work for Star Wars with your statement "The dark side of Life" mind you there are a few people out there that say I remind them of Yoda!!! My family and my close friends have been very supportive over the years and do not think what I do is strange at all after all what is normal?
I personally have not had any strange reactions, more often than not when people find out what I do for a living they open up and want to share their own experiences glad that they can talk to someone who understands. One funny incident comes to mind when I was in New York when a man after asking me what I did for a living became over excitable and I never thought I would be able to get away from him!!I really thought he was going to drag me to his apartment which he thought was haunted much to my husband's amusement.
6. You use the Ouija Board many times in your investigations. There are a lot of myths and fears surrounding the use of this tool. What have your experiences been like using the board? Have you ever had any negative encounters, and do you have any tips for those nervous of using it?
I have been using an Ouija board for over 34 years and I have never been possessed nor has my head spun around 3 times and I have never projectile vomited pea green vomit!! Personally I think a lot of the misplaced fears about the use of an Ouija board have been hyped over the years by films and TV programmes.
I always encourage our guests to watch and learn from its use rather than run away scared it is after all just another method of connecting with spirit like many other items we have and if used in a respectful manner can pass on wonderful messages.
7. You are involved in a live theatre tour, called Psychic & Science. Can you tell readers what this show is about and what people can expect from it?
Every moment of the 2011 Psychic and Science tour has been extremely memorable and enjoyable. I feel so privileged to have been a part of this amazing show, it is a truly audience participation night and no two shows have been the same. We had absolutely no idea what to expect each time as we worked only to a format and not a script This gave way to the audiences reactions and the results of our experiments.
What I would like to say to your readers Fiona is if they would like a night out at a theatre with a difference check out our website Psychic and Science to see if we are coming to a theatre near them in 2012. Our next show is going to incorporate new and exciting experiments!!
8. Have you ever felt scared during a show or investigation, or at any paranormal event?
I have experienced every type of emotion during my investigative years ranging from euphoria to despair and I have even given out the occasional scream (which I don't like to admit but cannot deny as it was caught on film). There have been many times when I have been left speechless by the things I have witnessed which for anyone that knows me will find that this is paranormal in itself for me to be lost for words.
9. Do you have any tips, hints or advice for anybody wishing to get involved with ghost hunting?
Personally can I just say I don't like the term Ghost hunting (it sound as though we go armed to hunt and kill ghosts) which isn't possible they are dead already!!! First of all you have to separate reality from all films and TV shows as what we do is a totally different experience. I would recommend that anyone who would like to know more about paranormal investigations would be best to find a reputable company who carry out investigations and not ghost trains with a twist.
There are many companies out there who do what I do and I always say a recommendation or review is a million times more informative than a website.
10. Finally, can you tell readers where they can learn more about you and your work online?
I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to do this interview and your readers for taking the time to read this. If you would like to know a little more about me and my ventures feel free to check out the following websites…
www.compassparanormalevents.co.uk
On Twitter @Compass_Events
Or Facebook Compass Paranormal Events
* ALL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY FIONA DODWELL, EXCEPT THE PROMO PHOTOGRAPH FOR PSYCHIC & SCIENCE****
