Author Interview: Jessica Verday

Jessica Verday wrote the first draft of The Hollow by hand, using thirteen spiral-bound notebooks and fifteen black pens. She likes: things that smell nice, rainy nights, old books, cemeteries, Johnny Cash, zombie movies, L.J. Smith books, abandoned buildings, trains, and snow. She is currently hand-writing her second novel, the continuation of Abbey and Caspian’s story, from her home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

When did you first consider yourself a writer? Um, when I wrote my first book?

I wasn't sure whether or not I'd actually be able to finish it, so a lot of my thoughts hinged on "When I reach the end, I'll have a whole book!" and "Then I'll be a real writer!" Being an author was always this kind of far out dream that I never really thought would happen so I didn't plan for it. I greatly admire other people who know early in life that they want to become an author and work to achieve that goal.

What author(s) have most influenced your writing?

L.J. Smith, Caroline B. Cooney... and I'm really terrible about remembering names for questions like these. I've read too many books that I've loved!

How did you feel when you found out you were going to be published?

What did you do to celebrate? I was shocked. Totally surprised. I had no idea my agent had even submitted my book to publishers yet, so when she called to tell me that she let an editor take a sneak peek at it and we had an offer on it the very next day...yeah, I was completely shocked. And very happy. The couple of days in between the deal making and the auction sort of all happened in a blur, so I don't really remember what I did to celebrate. I think I went out to dinner and went shopping.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Not being able to write the perfect book I see in my head in one draft. I can see it, this beautiful thing, but to capture it on paper is frustrating and elusive. Even now, I sometimes think about totally re-writing THE HOLLOW from a different time, a different place, a different point of view... I fear that this fancy to re-shape my words will always be there and I don't think any book of mine will every truly be "done." (At least in my eyes.)

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating The Hollow?

Hmm, how to answer this without spoilers...? There are certain elements in my book that are not in other books. To work around these limitations and still craft a compelling love story? I thought it would be easy. Not so.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Perusing Etsy for handmade jewelry, napping, reading, visiting historic places, trying to find the perfect postcard in an antique store that sparks my imagination, and buying presents for people.

What’s next for you/what can we expect in the future?

I just finished book two, tentatively titled SHADES OF THE HOLLOW. It will be released in the fall of 2010. I also have several other ideas not set in THE HOLLOW world that I'm anxious to get started on. One involves magic and robots, another involves demons and cotton candy, and the third is for a spinoff character that you'll meet in the last book of THE HOLLOW trilogy. Whichever one starts whispering in my ear first and/or the loudest, wins my attention.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thanks for taking the time to read this interview. I hope you all enjoy THE HOLLOW...and remember, it's the first book in a trilogy. There will be more answers in book two!

Thanks Jessica!

For more information about Jessica Verday and her books please visit her website here.