Karen Kunawicz has been writing about all things dark and beautiful. She’s a writer, a TV personality, sometimes a pirate, and always a fan of Johnny Depp. She’s been called Manila’s Queen of Goths, and is a prominent figure in the local music scene. I’m honored to have her on my blog. Find out more about Karen here.

Do you believe in ghosts/ elementals and have you seen one? Can you tell us about it?

I believe very much in things and forces beyond our realm of normal sight. I believe in magic and other beings and different creatures sharing this world with us.

Have I seen one? That’s hard to answer. I’ve joined the Spirit Questors but don’t believe I’ve seen one but I do have friends who I think are fairies, pixies, angels, devils, wizards and vampires in their own way.

What’s the scariest place you’ve been to? Why was it scary? Did you end up experiencing anything supernatural there? Do you plan to go back?

I love New Orleans very much–voodoo, vampires, pirates, magic, mysticism, ghosts, fortune tellers in the French Quarter, history, oak trees shrouding the full moon. The old plantation homes, the cemetery–I am very attached to it.

Despite that, the scariest places I’ve been to are:
Auschwitz / Birkenau
The Killing Fields in Cambodia

Because they are grim reminders of the cruelty people (I can’t even use the word “human”) are capable of. I think Maguindanao would belong on many people’s lists. I don’t think I would want to go back. Those are heavy heavy places.

What’s the scariest ghost story you’ve heard?

How has your supernatural experiences (even 2nd hand) influenced your work?

I would say it is my belief in magic and an unseen world that has influenced my work. Some might think me a bit too old for that but I can’t imagine myself without it.

Believing pirates, vampires, wizards, jedi, sith, angels, devils, pixies, gargoyles that come to life, ogres, fairies, king and queens of strange kingdoms, corpse brides, boys with scissors for hands, elves, orcs, trolls, oracles, knights, hobbits, unicorns; seeing MORE is a part of a lot of what I do.

I need to dream to live and some times when I have dream come true or a miracle happen how can I not believe in the extraordinary.

Any advice for someone who comes face to face with the supernatural?

If the ghost is a really not doing anything bad, a hi and bye and thanks for dropping by, it’s time to go home is fine.

If it’s disruptive then you may have to negotiate a bit to make them chill out or “go into the light.”

If they’re doing bad things, just remember–they can only do the nasty stuff if you allow them.

At the end of the day, man is still the most vicious creature on the planet.