7 Deadly Questions with author Jessica McHugh

1. Your novel Rabbits In The Garden has everything a good horror novel should – thrills, chills, a mystery to unravel, and even an asylum. The story centers on a 12-year-old girl, Avery Norton, and her discovery of a secret crypt in the basement of her home. Talk to me about the challenges of having a 12-year old be the main character in a story written for adults and with adult themes.

Luckily, I'd had some experience in writing young characters by the time I wrote "Rabbits in the Garden". I learned a thing or two while writing my Arthurian Legend novel, "Camelot Lost". The characters of Mordred and Amr (King Arthur's sons) are young children in a violently ambitious world. Similarly, the character of Delaney Lortal in my novel "Song of Eidolons" is childlike, despite being 22. Until that age, she'd never been outside her grandfather's house, which made her an innocent character to suddenly barrage with the world's rough edges. I find 'youth in turmoil' very fun to write because I remember being a youth in turmoil. Although I have no firsthand experience with stumbling upon a basement full of corpses, I can surmise how my 12 year old mind and body might react to such a sight. I can surmise how I'd react if a bunch of adults were telling me I was crazy. Even if I was 100% sure I was sane, they are adults and they know more than me. Maybe I wasn't 100% sure. Maybe they saw something in me I just couldn't see…Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Characters like Avery Norton are absolutely real to me while I'm writing them, so I'll admit I feel a bit bad about what I put them through. But I like to think it makes them stronger by the end.

 2. Setting plays a critical role in your story. Martha's Vineyard is rarely associated with darkness or evil. How did the setting for Rabbits in the Garden help you develop the story?

A good portion of "Rabbits in the Garden" came straight from a dream. It was one of those magical dreams that had a beginning, middle, and end, and I actually didn't change a lot of the plot as I dreamt it. Although I'm not versed in the history of the decade, I woke up knowing it was based in the 1950s. Although the setting in the dream wasn't clear, it seemed a sweet, sleepy place where horror and sorrow couldn't trespass—and did. Martha's Vineyard was my first, last, and only choice. I'd actually been wanting to set a story there for quite a while, as I spent many childhood vacations there. My mother's side of the family is from Martha's Vineyard, so while I had many vivid memories I wanted to use, I also interviewed my mother, aunts, and uncles about their childhoods. Those stories really breathed life into "Rabbits in the Garden". Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful place, but it can be quite pricey. So, if someone wants a glimpse of the island but doesn't want to spend a lot of money, read "Rabbits in the Garden". It's a lot cheaper.

As for choosing Taunton Asylum, there really wasn't any choice in that either. It turned out to be something of a spook story on Martha's Vineyard and the Massachusetts mainland. Even my father growing up in Ashland had heard tales of Taunton. Sometimes I have to try to find the perfect setting for my stories. Sometimes they find me. "Rabbits in the Garden" unfolded itself in the way every writer hopes.

 3. The relationship between Avery and her mother plays a pivotal role in the story. How do you incorporate your own personal relationships into those of your characters?

First off, I'd like to state that my mother is nothing like Faye Norton. She's not nearly as scary and she's way less judgmental. Luckily, no one I've met is like Faye Norton. As for my characters' relationships, I don't usually set out to base them on real life ones. I will put in personal touches based on real life events or conversations though. For example, I've never set out to capture the relationship between my mom and me, but elements sometimes come out. I actually explore the parent/child dynamic quite a bit, but I don't stick to personal experiences. I like to explore all kinds, especially the kinds I don't have.

When it comes to inventing characters, I'm a people-watcher. It sounds a tad creepy, yes, but it helps me develop my characters. There are so many different personalities and relationships in the world, and it's much more fun to venture beyond my own.

4. Sanity is also central to Rabbits in the Garden. As a horror writer myself I am often asked about my own sanity. Do you think writing horror makes us more or less likely to cross that line?

Absolutely. I think we have to be willing to cross that line. A lot of people might think I'm a little wrong in the head; a lot of people ask me how I'm able to sleep at night. It's something that non-writers don't automatically understand. Writing is playtime to me. I can't be afraid there. Even though I try to scare myself when I write horror, ultimately, I can't be afraid. Writing allows me to do anything I want without consequence. It also allow me to do things I'd never want to do…but some might. It goes back to my love for writing characters that aren't anything like me. I understand the "insanity" label because it does sound a bit like I have D.I.D., but I don't believe "sane" and "insane" apply to writers, especially horror writers. We can't be insane because we make a conscious decision to delve into the darkness and let it bleed across the page.

I think everyone has those twisted thoughts inside, but some people are just too timid to expose it. And if you're not an artist, why would you want to expose it? I'll admit I had some reservations at the beginning of my writing career. A lot of horror I wrote when I was 19 is incredibly tame compared to the horror I'm writing at 29. Pieces of "Rabbits" were actually written when I was 21 as part of a different story, one I stopped writing because the gory bits freaked me out. I don't have that problem anymore, especially after writing my most recent novel, "PINS". After describing murder scenes in "PINS" to my husband, he looks at me like I've really lost it. I feel like I've finally found it.

There's a freedom in it, and yes, it's scary. But to a horror writer, that's the goal.

 5. Describe your personal writing space.

Inspired by my favorite author, Roald Dahl, I created my own little Writing Hut. It's actually just a 2nd bedroom, but once you wade in through the notebooks and binders and endless sea of drained pens, there's no doubt it's a writer's cluttered little world. But I will write anywhere. At any time. I carry a few pens and notebooks in my purse, but I've scrawled passages in lipliner on my arms and legs more than a few times.

 6. What is the last book you read that completely blew you away?

One was "Crooked Little Vein" by Warren Ellis. It was so bizarre, and it was so frank about being bizarre. I tore through it, and I'm sure I will at least twenty more times. The other was a book called "100 Jolts" by Michael A. Arnzen. It's an anthology of one hundred pieces of flash horror. I did a sci-fi/fantasy/horror panel with Michael at the Frostburg Small Press Festival this year and I got the chance to learn a little bit about his style. This past year I've developed a great love for flash fiction, especially horror flash, and the pieces in "100 Jolts" are some of the finest I've ever read. It's disgusting. It's hilarious. It's very very cool.

 7. Where can people go to learn more about you and your work?

I spend most of my time at my official author page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.Jessic... , but I also chill at my blog "No Vacation from Speculation" at http://mcnito.blogspot.com. www.JessicaMcHughBooks.com is a great place to check out excerpts from my books, watch my trailers, and check out my gallery. My books are available in print and ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the various other booksellers across the web, but feel free to contact me through any of my sites or @theJessMcHugh on Twitter with any questions.

About Jessica

Jessica McHugh is an author of speculative fiction that spans the genre from horror and alternate history to epic fantasy. A prolific writer, she has devoted herself to novels, short stories, poetry, and playwriting. She has had ten books published in three years, including "Rabbits in the Garden", "The Sky: The World" and the first three installments in her "Tales of Dominhydor" series.

More info on Jessica's speculations and publications can be found at JessicaMcHughBooks.com.