What Scares You, Lauri Schoenfeld?

It’s a rainy, gloomy day as I post this interview with the wonderful Lauri Schoenfeld. This weather seems fitting, however, since we’re discussing dark and gloomy subjects like possession and revenge!

Lauri resides in Utah, overlooking the mountains from her front yard. She’s the host of The Enlightenment Show, an editorial manager at Twisted Whisperings Press, and the author of the psychological thriller, Little Owl.

Read on to discover her greatest fears, writing worries…and the time she died.


What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is my kids getting kidnapped or being possessed.

What is your favorite urban legend?

Homey the Clown. As a kid, I was convinced the killer clown was on the loose. It didn’t help that “IT” by Stephen King came out shortly after that. I also found Bloody Mary pretty terrifying. In sixth grade, I struggled to look in the mirror, afraid that she’d see me.

 How do you deal with fear?

I have a fear journal. When something comes up for me, I write down my thoughts and feelings about it so I can begin to investigate where it came from and why. It helps me to think I’m partnering up with Nancy Drew as I solve this mystery within myself.

What is your greatest fear as a writer? 

Not having my writing received well is a hard one for me. It’s something I’m continuing to learn along the journey to remember that I don’t have control over how people choose to receive things, but it’s still this itch of fear in the back of my mind that sticks around.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever written?

I have a few hidden stories about possession. The idea of being possessed and no longer being yourself feels so real and terrifying. It’s my way of trying to understand the paranormal experiences I’ve had throughout my life.

People often say death is their greatest fear. What are your feelings about death/dying?  

When I was thirteen, I died from a morphine overdose for six minutes. I’ve lived with this interesting survivor guilt about it, and also some panic that I already died once, so I don’t get a second chance. The past year, I’ve been really working on using meditation and breathing techniques when that fear comes up.


“When I was thirteen, I died from a morphine overdose for six minutes.”


What’s creepier: clowns, dolls, or wax figures? 

This question has me rolling. All the above. Oh my gosh. These are all nightmare-filled items for me, but clowns are probably the worst. 

Which evil, murderous persona most matches your personality and why: slow-walking psychotic serial killer; vampire stalking victims in the wee hours of the night; rich megalomaniac with grand plans to take over the world; centuries-old demon witch looking for revenge; or Hyde-like, fueled with rage and no impulse control?

This question is amazing! I’d be closest to the centuries-old demon witch looking for revenge. I mostly get this with the mama bear part of me. I’m super fierce and protective of the ones I love, specifically with my kids.