Character interview with Fay from Rabbits in the Garden by Jessica McHugh

1. Why do you find rabbits procreating to be so dirty?
It's not the procreating that bothers me. It's the partner-swapping. I marked every rabbit in my garden with matching colors the first time I saw them making love. When I see them again, if the colors don't match, well, I don't like that at all. Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I was raised to believe that our bodies are sacred gifts from God not be shared with anyone but our husbands and wives. I can't abide naughty rabbits, and I certainly can't abide naughty children.

2. Do you ever feel bad for making Avery take care of the rabbit problem?
Not at all. I've seen so many children led astray by parents who didn't have the courage to stand up and say "This is right and this is wrong. This how you grow up to be a good, clean person and this is how you end up a hussy." I didn't want my daughters to turn out like that, so I gave them the garden to teach them responsibility, to teach them what can happen when they allow their lives to be poisoned by careless passions. I only wish they had listened.

3. What's the reason behind your dislike of men?
Men are fine when they toe the line. As long as they remember their manners and keep their hands to themselves, we get along just fine.

4. If you knew that Avery was going to snap would you do anything differently?
I raised my girls with their best interests at heart. It is not my fault they chose to deviate from the path I paved for them. It's also not my fault that Avery takes after her father. She's always been headstrong and impetuous, just like him. And just like him, she's always delighted in defying me. I had to teach her a lesson. What else could a loving mother do?

5. What happened to Avery's father?
It's not polite to speak of the dead, especially when his death was such a tragedy. Poor Avery, she doesn't even believe she was at fault. Not that I can blame her. I denied her madness for a long time too. How could I not? I wanted to keep her safe. I didn't think I'd have to keep Jason safe too. I suppose I failed them both. Now it's my job to make sure Avery gets the help she truly needs. Taunton Asylum is really the best thing for her. She has to accept her sins. It's the only way she'll ever survive in this world full of alluring monsters. After all, not everyone is as sweet as me.

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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.