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Today we have with us author, Jessica Verday! Her debut novel, The Hollow will be released.. TOMORROW! If you don't already own a copy, consider yourself deprived. I've read nothing but good about it so go out to the stores and get yourself a copy...NOW!
Are you working on anything after The Hollow? If so can we get a sneak peek if not can we get a peek at The Hollow?
I'm currently working on book two of The Hollow. I'd give you a peek at the first line, but my first chapters tend to change. So instead I'll give you a peek at the first chapter of THE HOLLOW, available now on my website.
I like to start out my days with a laugh. Soo… What makes you literally LOL?
I can Haz Cheezburger pictures, the Subway commercial where people's pants are splitting and buttons are flying off...that one gets me every time.
Has anything AMAZING happened to you as a writer? (Other than getting published?)
Getting emails (and gifts!) from people who have read my words, or who haven't read my words yet, but want to... That's absolutely amazing and humbling.
How about something EMBARRASSING?
No, not yet. Fingers crossed it will stay that way!
What/Who inspired you to become a writer?
There is no easy answer to this because I feel like there are so many things that inspired me. Music, movies, pictures, paintings, books, snippets of conversations... One day I just took all of those bits and pieces floating in the back of my mind and sat down and wrote a book.
What would you do/be if you were not an author?
I don't know. Life presents us with any number of paths depending on who we meet/where we are at a certain time, so if I wouldn't have ever written a book? I don't know where I'd be right now.
How do you associate with your fans? Are there any who've made a strong impression on you that you can't forget?
One of the ways I try to reach out to my fans is by offering them a 'Get the Goods' pack via my website. I know that I LOVE to get mail and give presents, so I thought it would be cool to combine those two things. People sign up on my website and I send them envelopes filled with goodies. Stickers, postcards, temporary tattoos...sometimes I even throw in strange little things like paper bats punched out of colored paper. It's just a fun way for me to say 'Thanks for visiting me!' As far as fans who have made a strong impression on me, two people from Myspace, Jessy and Autumn have been supporters from wayyyy back in the early days. We've exchanged gifts and emails, and they have just been so, so awesome. They were some of the only people to personally receive an ARC from me from the small stash I was given and I am truly grateful for their friendship.
awww. that is too sweet. click here for a "Get the Goods" pack
Who's your best friend? How long have you guys (gals) been friends?
My husband Lee is my best friend. He's my biggest supporter, fan, cheerleader, brainstorming partner... He's the best. We've known each other for about 12 years and every day is still fun and exciting. We have the best fun just hanging out (and telling inside jokes!)
i heart inside jokes
What's a typical day like, when you're not writing?
Every single day is different for me. Usually though, it involves some type of checking email, responding to email, doing "non-writing"-writing tasks (like interview replies, talking to my agent, tasks for my publisher, etc...), catching up on writing news. All stuff that every author has to deal with crammed in during business hours.
What's a weakness of yours?
I am very bad at reading an email, and mentally composing a reply but not actually sending the reply until much later. It's terrible. I get so far behind that way and feel really bad for people who are waiting on my response each time I find out that I didn't send a reply when I thought I did.
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet right now?
My boots. I don't know if they really count as a piece of clothing, but I wear boots everywhere. Love 'em.
What could you eat all day long and never grow tired of?
Strawberries! Whole, sliced, in smoothies, on ice cream, on cereal... YUM!
What's your favorite fairytale? Have you ever thought of re-doing it?
Picking one is hard, but one of my favorites is Hansel and Gretel. The evil witch, the candy cottage, the horrible oven. I haven't ever really thought about re-doing that one, but I do have a story in mind to do a re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood.
that would be pretty sweet. i remember an epic of That's So Raven on Disney Channel where there was Little Red Riding from the Hood. it was cute.
When you get stuck writing, how do you unglue yourself?
Sometimes I watch movies that inspire me and get me thinking, sometimes I read new books that I've been waiting for... But sometimes it's just a matter of waiting for inspiration to strike again. (And hope it doesn't take too long.)
Which character from The Hollow do you relate to the most?
I relate to all of them in some way. With Kristen, it's the desire to be the best friend she can be to Abbey. With Abbey, it's little bit of how she feels like she can't always say things right and the way she views the world. With Caspian, it's the way he wants so desperately to fix things, to make things work any way that they can. I even relate to Abbey's parents a bit!
If The Hollow were to become a movie, who'd you like to play the main characters?
For me, Abbey has always been Alexis Bledel, and Caspian is a cross between Tom Felton (the hair) and Gaspard Ulliel. I'm not sure who could play Ben. Any suggestions?
Can you relate your book title, The Hollow to your life in someway?
Hmm, not really. THE HOLLOW title is slang for the town that Abbey lives in, Sleepy Hollow. In the book she mentions living in 'The Hollow' when talking to Caspian about Sleepy Hollow.
What's your favorite book?
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Where's your favorite pace to travel?
So far, it's been Reno/Las Vegas, Nevada. The air is dry and warm out there (I'm not a fan of humid heat), you can see for miles in every direction, and the landscape is just breath taking.
sounds nice. yea, i'm not a fan of humid heat either. talk about gross!
Which character, from The Hollow do you like the most?
They all are special to me, but I think Nikolas is my favorite. In my head I kind of see him as a Johnny Cash type character and I think he'd make a really great grandpa.
Anything else you would like to share with us?
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me! I hope you all enjoy THE HOLLOW...and remember, it's the first in a trilogy. There will be more answers in book two!
You were a pleasure to have Jessica. Wishing you more success with The Hollow and it's followers!
Be sure to friend Jessica on Myspace and Facebook and visit her at her website.
