Jessica Verday is the New York Times best-selling author of The Hollow trilogy. She wrote the first draft of The Hollow by hand, using thirteen spiral-bound notebooks and fifteen black pens. The first draft of The Haunted took fifteen spiral-bound notebooks and twenty black pens. The Hidden took too many notebooks and too many pens to count. She lives in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, with her husband. You can visit her online at www.jessicaverday.com. She was happy to take some time to answer questions about her new book Of Monsters and Madness.
Q&A - OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS (I asked the questions in red).
1. I really enjoyed your book Of Monsters and Madness. How did you come up with this title? - I’m so glad you enjoyed OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS! I’m not really sure where the idea for this title came from. I was thinking one day about the book overall, and how it was sort of a mash up of mad scientists mixed with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and that made me think of monsters. Then the title just kind of popped into my mind. Originally, EDGAR & ALLAN was the title when I wrote the book, but it was changed after I had a discussion with my publishing team and we agreed that the title drew too much attention away from Annabel, our leading lady.
2. Why did you choose Edgar Allan Poe’s writing to connect with your ideas for this book? Do have a personal connection to any of his stories? - Like a lot of people, I grew up reading Poe and would be hard pressed to name just one or two stories that were my favorites, but I was always particularly drawn to Annabel Lee. The funny thing is that when I first had the idea for this book I was imagining what would happen if Edgar Allan Poe had been inspired by real life events to use as fodder for his dark stories. Once I had that idea, the connection to Annabel Lee came from there.
3. There are lots of unexpected moments in the book and surprise turns. Is there one part that you enjoyed writing the most? - I really enjoyed writing the medical scenes that took place in Father’s basement laboratory. They took me really far out of my comfort zone and I’m quite proud that I was able to write them. (Usually, I’m so squeamish that just the sight of blood makes me feel queasy!) But there was something uniquely fascinating about watching these scenes unfold.
4. Is there any hidden meaning behind Annabel wearing the scarf? - Ahh, very astute of you to pick up on this. There most definitely is a hidden meaning to Annabel wearing the scarf and while you see the reason why she wears the scarf at the end of this book, book two reveals even more!
5. I read you write all your books by hand using lots of notebooks and pens. Did you also write Of Monsters and Madness by hand? How many notebooks and pens did it take? Do you then type the whole thing? - OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS was initially started in a notebook, and then I switched to a computer as my deadline drew closer. I only used one notebook and three pens.
6. Do you want to share any ideas that you are developing for the sequel? - The sequel (tentatively titled OF PHANTOMS AND FURY) picks up where book one left off, and introduces another fantastic literary character -- Dorian Gray. Not only does he have quite the impact on Annabel’s life, but she learns more about her background and who she truly is. Book two was a really exciting book to write and I hope you like it as much as OF MONSTERS AND MADNESS.
7. Are there any other literature characters or authors you would like use in future stories? - I do have one famous author in mind that I’m working on a story for, but I can’t give it away just yet... I’m always on the lookout for interesting stories that can be retold or famous people to write about. I keep a running list of future stories to tell.There are so many to choose from!
Come back for more about this new title on September 11 and enter for a copy below.
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