All Authors Blog Blitz 2013: Paul Papa

Today I am participating in the All Authors Blog Blitz, and as part of that, I will be hosting another author on my blog! His name is Paul Papa and he is the author of the following books. He seems like he’d be really interesting to know in person!

Haunted Las Vegas: Famous Phantoms, Creepy Casinos, and Gambling Ghosts

Check out my interview with him! He was a really great subject to interview!

What made you want to become a writer?

First of all, thank you so much for letting me be part of your blog. I really do appreciate it; now, to your very good question. As a kid I was never much of a reader, but I always loved hearing a well-crafted story. Some of my earliest memories of storytelling came from people like Paul Harvey on the radio. I lived in a small town and it typically didn’t take more than 5 minutes to travel from one side of town to the other. I can remember not letting my mother or father (depending on who I was riding with) shut the car off until I was able to hear the conclusion of Harvey’s story. I think it was those stories—called The Rest of the Story¬—which sparked my interest in telling a good tale. Later in life I became a reader and that led to me one day saying to myself, ‘you know, I think I could do this.’ The rest, as they say, is history.

Which of your books is your favorite and why? 

As you know, your books are kind of like your children. It’s hard to pick one as a favorite. I’ve written three so far and I like each one for different reasons. It Happened in Las Vegas will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first published book. The book is an easy read because each of the stories is only about 1,500 words long and they don’t have to be read in order. I’ve included in the book what I believe to the 25 most intriguing events that helped shape Las Vegas into what it is today.

Haunted Las Vegas was one of the most fun—and most scary—to research. I really enjoyed taking a different view of my city. I had a blast writing this book because it isn’t meant as an in-depth investigation into ghosts and hauntings. Instead, it is simply about the ghost stories I discovered, or was told, about Vegas—some old Vegas and some new. I got to visit many spooky places while researching and event snuck into a few at night. Scary fun!

It Happened in Wyoming was great because I was raised in Wyoming and I really enjoyed learning more about the state I used to call home. Like It Happened in Las Vegas, It Happened in Wyoming is an easy read that reveals little known tales about life in the old and modern west. I chose stories specifically that I believe showcased the pioneer spirit that made not just Wyoming, but all of the US great.

What kind of odd research did you have to do for Haunted Las Vegas?

Well, I don’t know if it was odd, but I did sneak into a haunted house. As I started researching the story about the Hell House, I was so intrigued by what the people who lived there had to say that I had to see it for myself. So, flashlight in hand, I snuck past the large metal gate in front of the house and made my way to the back. I found an open door and went inside. The house—which is no longer occupied—has been reduced to studs on the inside. That fact didn’t make it any less scary. I was also able to pinpoint the room where the mob killed off their rivals. It was creepy. I took photos and they can be found on my website (http://paulwpapa.com/) or my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PaulWPapa).

What’s it like living in Las Vegas?

I love living in Vegas. For a town that only turned 100 in 2005, Vegas has a very intriguing past. As a story teller, how can you go wrong with a town built on people’s vices? Everything you want is here in one place—the mob, the Mormons, the millionaires, the bootleggers, the Hollywood stars, a massive dam, an atomic bomb—everything! There are so many stories to tell and I’m just getting started.

What is the strangest thing you’ve seen there?

I worked security in several of the casinos and saw many strange things—far, far too many to mention…
What is your favorite thing about Las Vegas and how do you think the people there differ from the people in the rest of the US?

My favorite thing about Las Vegas is that it’s really a melting pot. Outside of places like New York or Los Angeles, Las Vegas is one of the only places where you can be exposed to almost any culture in the world. Have a craving for a particular food? We have a restaurant you can go to. We have both a China Town and a Korea Town. We have Italian, Mexican, Greek, Asian, and Hawaiian Festivals and it’s great to dive into other’s customs…and, of course, food.

What’s next for you as a writer? 

I’m finishing up my fourth book as we speak. It is called The Crime Buff’s Guide to Outlaw Nevada and as you may have guessed, it is about notable crimes that have occurred in the Silver State. I am also writing a biking trail guide and a book about food in Las Vegas. Additionally I am publishing a children’s book I wrote. Which reminds me, I better get back to writing. Thanks Stephanie for hosting me and Y. Correa for putting together the Blog Blitz. And don’t forget to follow me at http://paulwpapa.com/ and on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Paul-W.-Papa/e/B002KXW69S/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1370961508&sr=8-1

Thanks, Paul!