March 12, 2009 by maineghosts
And I found another interview by the author of this book. I'm in the process of buying a copy of it. :)
My name is Ray Garton. Back in the early nineties, I wrote a book called IN A DARK PLACE: THE STORY OF A TRUE HAUNTING. It was published as "non-fiction", but that was just marketing. I went to Connecticut to meet with the family involved in the alleged haunting of their former house, which used to be a funeral home. I was never able to see the inside of the home because the people who were living there by then wanted nothing to do with the "haunting", which they said was utter nonsense. It was my job to get the family's story down on paper and into a book. I worked with the family, and with the "ghostbusters" or "demon hunters" (whatever they happened to be calling themselves at the moment), Ed and Lorraine Warren. The article above claims "the family had little involvement" in this book -- that is simply a lie. They were DIRECTLY involved with the book -- it was them, the Warrens, and myself, nobody else. I attempted to get their story. Unfortunately, the members of the family couldn't seem to keep their "facts" straight. Their individual stories simply did not fit into one smooth hole. The article above states that the book I wrote "remains a source of controversy." The only source of controversy was the family, because they just couldn't keep their stories straight. I went to Ed Warren and told him the problem. He laughed. "They're crazy!" he said. "Everybody who comes to us is crazy, otherwise why would they come to US? Just do the best you can. You write scary books, right? That's why we hired you. Use whatever you can of their story, make the rest up, and make it scary." And that's what I did. The book IN A DARK PLACE is a combination of elements of the family's story and stuff I made up -- because it was a for-hire writing job, AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD TO DO. If this family is saying they had "little involvement" in this book, then they are bald-faced liars. They were involved from beginning to end, and THEY COLLECTED THE CHECK FOR IT. They were deeply involved in IN A DARK PLACE, and they were PAID for it -- their names are on the cover of the book along with my name and Ed and Lorraine Warren. I never got to meet their allegedly ill son -- I was only allowed to speak with him briefly on the phone. Although there was much talk of his illness, it was NEVER verified for me, although he did have a drug problem. It turned out that the girls in the family who claimed to have been groped by so-called invisible, demonic hands were actually groped by HIM. The Warrens and their nephew John Zaffis claimed they had videotape that clearly showed supernatural activity inside the house, and they told me numerous times that they would SHOW me that videotape. Somehow, during our time together, they just couldn't manage to find it. Not only did I not see that footage, I never saw an actual VHS videotape at ALL. Since my experience with the Warrens and this family, I've talked to other writers who have written books for Ed and Lorraine, and they've told me THE EXACT SAME STORY. This is how the Warrens have always worked. They find a very "emotional" family with claims of some supernatural activity in their lives, convince them there's money to be made if they just shape this into a better "story" (and this family was very eager to make money -- at the time I knew them, the mother was involved in some kind of interstate lottery scam), then they hire a writer of horror fiction to write it up as a book -- "Make it scary," Ed told me -- and they've got themselves a package, a piece of merchandise that they can hawk on talk shows and that the Warrens can discuss in their VERY lucrative lectures. And perhaps they can convince someone in Hollywood to make a movie of it. Of course, in THIS case, the book I wrote has been shoved aside and isn't involved in the making of the movie THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT. It will be VERY interesting to see how much of this movie contains the material that I WAS TOLD TO MAKE UP. We'll see.
March 12, 2009 by maineghosts
While searching for a copy of "In A Dark Place" I ran across this interesting link:
http://www.amityvillemurders.com/interviews/rgarton.html
March 6, 2009 by maineghosts
Welcome Heidi!
I hope you find our forum to be interesting, fun and informational!!! It sounds like you have had some cool experiences. Feel free to share them!
Again, Welcome!
Robin
Co-founder, MGHS
March 5, 2009 by maineghosts
Hello all!!
Julie and I just want to say welcome to the MGHS Forum! We hope that you enjoy this board and find it to be a great, accepting place to discuss all aspects of the paranormal. It's crazy to think that the forum has only been up for less than a year!
Thank you for all of the support!
Robin and Julie
Co-founders, MGHS
March 5, 2009 by maineghosts
Hello all!
That episode of A Haunting..or, "A Haunting in Connecticut" was the first from the "A Haunting" series that I saw. It truly freaked me out. I can't imagine what that poor family went through while living there.
I am very interested in getting the book. I knew that one was written, but I never really searched for it. I can see that i'll have to shell out a good bit of cash to get a copy!
From what I've seen of the trailer, they did dramatize a good bit of the events. I hope they keep it closer to what actually happened, but of course with Hollywood being involved, it's not likely. One of my favorite horror flicks is the newest "Amityville Horror." But, it did change many of the events. Who knows! I do know that I will be going to see it!
January 27, 2009 by maineghosts
Hello everyone!!
I have been surfing the forum and just wanted to say thank you for all of your continued support for Maine Ghost Hunters Society. We began as a small group, but now, with your support, are growing very quickly into one of the most well-known groups in Maine.
There are several new items to mention. We have recently gotten SEVERAL investigation requests so please keep checking back for new evidence. As always, this will be made known in the forum. We are highly excited, as we are investigating several WELL-KNOWN locations.
We also have an option right now where if you get us an investigation, you get to come along and investigate with us. Keep your eyes and ears open!
Again, thank you for all of your support. Without you, we would not be Maine Ghost Hunters Society.
Robin C.
Co-founder, MGHS
207-907-8763
January 26, 2009 by maineghosts
Hi Lynne, we are more than happy to come out and take a look at what might be going on because there is definitely something happening up there. KASPR is joining us on our investigations right now so feel free to submit an investigation request on the main page of the website. As our "honorary member" we would come see you with bells on at the excitement of finally meeting you. Thank you for all of your support over the last year for Maine Ghosts Hunters Society. It's encouragement, sharing of knowledge and participation like yours that keeps our group growing and moving forward.
