Interview with Jessica Verday

A life-long book lover, and avid reader, Jessica Verday wrote her first story when she was much younger. Titled "Bobby's Bazillion Bananas" it was about a boy named Bobby who planted a banana in his backyard and it sprouted into a banana tree overnight. There were - you guessed it - a bazillion bananas.
If she could have any superpower, she'd want to have X-Ray vision and the ability to make no-calorie cupcakes appear out of thin air. When not daydreaming about moving into a library of her own, she can be found working on her next story, taking a nap, or buying vintage furniture. She likes: rainy nights, warm blankets, old postcards, baby animals, cemeteries, Johnny Cash, handmade jewelry, zombie movies, L.J. Smith books, abandoned buildings, trains and snow.

1. How do you think that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow inspired The Hollow and The Haunted?

I've always loved the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but the town was the real inspiration. Being able to walk where Washington Irving walked was amazing.

2. On your blog, you talk about how music inspires you. What songs are currently helping you write more?
Good question! I've been listening to She Moved Through the Fair by Skully, White Houses by Vanessa Carleton, If You Could Read My Mind by Johnny Cash, Cat and Mouse by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Endlessly, She Said by AFI and The Ghost of You by Good Charlotte.

3. Abbey makes perfume and you also have a perfume line for the book. What compelled you to do that?

I thought it would be really neat to have the chance to bring Abbey's fictional hobby to life, and when I started doing research on perfume making I found several people who made perfume exactly like how I pictured Abbey making perfume. I found the whole process so fascinating (And addicting! I make my own perfume now too), that I wanted to share that experience with my readers.

4. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about writing?

Favorite thing is finishing, my least favorite thing is getting started.

5. Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thanks for having me! I hope you enjoy THE HAUNTED!