What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Verity Easton?
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient Egypt. I was particularly struck when I heard the story of Dorothy Eady, a British woman who believed she was the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian priestess.
Another impetus for writing this book was that I had been laid off from my day job. If you look at the dedication to Verity Easton, I wanted my daughter to know that no matter what happens to her, she can still put effort into doing something worthwhile.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Verity Easton, what would they be?
I’m not sure about specific songs for my characters, but I almost always listened to Egyptian music whenever writing it. YouTube and Spotify have some amazing playlists that gave me the perfect atmosphere to immerse myself in that world.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I do love murder mysteries, but I always say, “I read dead people,” meaning that I rarely read books by authors who are still alive. My degree is in British literature, so I do love reading all the classics, but especially Daphne du Maurier and, of course, the queen of mystery: Agatha Christie!
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My husband recently purchased a compilation of classic spooky stories for me that I’ve been slowly making my way through. It’s been absolutely delicious so far!
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Anywhere with the parrot, Bartholomew! He was always a thrill to write about – particularly his relationship with his owner, Lady Bethy.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I used to need to have everything perfect in order to write – either in absolute silence or with instrumental music in my headphones. Now, with a husband and child, I’ve learned to tune it all out and just write whenever I can. I am a night owl, so that’s when I do my best writing, and I do have a favorite writing spot: in my office (that’s decorated in golden pineapples), ensconced in my comfy massage chair.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
I learned that people treat you how they feel about themselves. If they’re rude, it’s about their own issues and problems. If they’re consistently kind, it’s because they’re a good person.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I would like my readers to know that all of my books will have a crossover character. In Hattie Vavaseur, the character of Vamelda makes an appearance in Verity Easton, and I’m already writing the next one that has a character from Verity Easton in it. Reading them all will make the stories more interesting!
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