An Interview with Writer and Poet: Raven Pederson
Interview by Emerian Mordrige for Dark Lives magazine

Raven is an extraordinary woman with the soul of one who has lived many lives. Spiritually minded and dedicated to the splendor of prose, she writes of our dark world as a spider spinning it’s silvery web. Like the spider, she connects our hearts with others by the utterance of quandaries we all share. Her script reminds us that night is not to be feared but to be embraced and that love no matter the outcome is worth the disenchantment that it can bring. On May 22^nd, 2003, she agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about life, love and her work.

DL: What are you inspired by?

R: I am most inspired by life and nature. Just look around you and you'll see what I mean.

DL: When you were little, who did you want to be?

R: My mother. She was my ultimate role model. She was caring and stern. She worked, but still spent time with the kids. She was everything she needed to be. She’s also someone in my life that I would not be able to live without.

DL: What is your favorite novel of all time and why?

R: Broken Date by R.L. Stine. Why? Because though I read it as a preteen the story is still very vivid in my mind, and I wouldn't mind finding it so I could read it again. Otherwise... all novels by Anne Rice.

DL: What was the best day of your life?

R: Wow this one is a toughy... uhmmm... I guess the answer would have to be everyday. Every day I wake up and feel connected to the earth, and know that no matter what is going on it will be all right.

DL: What was the worst day of your life?

R: Being forced to do something I did not want to when I was 14 years old.
DL: If you could meet anyone from the past who would it be?

R: Jesus Christ

DL: Really? Why’s that?

R: I would talk to him about how many religions sprang from his teachings, about how off track these religions became, and about how many people were killed in his name. And I would ask him if this is what he really wanted. Though I know the answer would be no, I'd love to hear HIS thoughts on it.

DL: What is your favorite work that you've written?

R: Hmmm... I'd have to say, that is... the best thing that is completed that I have ever written is my poem Season of Dying. Otherwise... it's a story I've been working on. I just need to finish it.

DL: Would you mind telling us what it's about?

R: Well the title is called The Reunion. Funny thing about how this came to be, a friend of mine dared me to write him an erotic short story. So I started writing, and the story was born. So yeah it is explicit in areas. The base of the story is this: A noble man and peasant women fall in love despite his father's wishes for him to marry nobility. The story begins in present day where her love happens upon her, centuries later. Then the past unfolds to him. So there are a lot of "flashback" scenes in it.

DL: Is there a point to our existence? What do you think that is?

R: Yes, there is a point to everything. We are here to learn, grow and increase our enlightenment to ultimately return to deity.

DL: Do you collect anything?

R: Yeah, Craft related things, and apparently gargoyles, being that they line my entire room. People just keep getting them for me!!!

DL: Do you remember a time when you felt helpless or depressed?

R: Oh yeah... feel like that on and off all the time.

DL: What did you do to get out of that feeling or situation?

R: Scars... bruises (damn walls are hard!) Or when I am venting positively... interesting poems.

DL: What makes you happy?

R: Knowing I am making a difference in this life.

DL: If you could pick any period of time to live in, where would it be and why?

R: During the Egyptian Dynasty, because I just feel sooo drawn to that period. Otherwise... Renaissance/Middle Ages.

DL: How do you feel about being involved with Dark Lives?

R: Oh I love it. I can't thank Emerian enough for stumbling across my stories and poems all those years ago! She's got a great heart, and I wish more people would help out independent writers and artists!

DL: Do you have anything to say to our readers?

R: Don't be afraid... submit your work here!! Em is great to deal with! She's always nice, and helps you in anyway she can!!

Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts with us Raven. I appreciate the honesty that you bring to your answers and hope that others can take comfort in them. As always, Dark Lives is excited to have you as one of our crew.

Pub. June 1st, 2003 darklives.com
© Emerian Mordrige Email: darklives@sbcglobal.net