Official Interview: M. Rebecca Wildsmith

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Today's Chat with Sarah features M. Rebecca Wildsmith author of Verity Easton.

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1. When did you decide you wanted to try your hand at writing a book?

I wrote my first short murder mystery story when I found an old typewriter in my parent's closet at the age of 8, and I've wanted to be an author ever since! Later, I began writing my first book, Hattie Vavaseur. After about 13 years of writing it off and on, I finally committed to finishing it during the pandemic. I first published a chapter per week on my blog and was lucky enough to gather a following. After I published the final chapter, I had readers clamoring for a physical copy. I decided to find an agent, but they told me that would take too long, and showed me how to self-publish. Soon after I completed that process, that original group of readers spread the word, and Hattie Vavaseur became an international bestseller on Kindle and Audible in a matter of months. Now, I've sold over 20,000 copies of my books, worldwide.

2. Who influenced your writing most?

Daphne du Maurier. Her descriptive writing style, character development, and imagination have always thrilled me. I visited Cornwall about 11 years ago, and it was marvelous, just basking in all of the beautiful places she wrote about.

3. Let's talk about your book Verity Easton. How did you come up with the idea for the story?

I wanted to follow up Hattie Vavaseur, but I didn't necessarily want to write a series. Instead, I chose to use a crossover character, Vamelda Anstruthers, the medium who helps Hattie along her journey. As far as Verity Easton goes, I was kind of feeling powerless in my life and noticed that other women I knew were feeling the same, due to societal pressures and people-pleasing habits. I felt like they needed a voice that didn't necessarily end with her becoming a badass, but rather, by making the ultimate sacrifice. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to the will of others in order to maintain peace. I also didn't want the story to revolve solely around romance, as Hattie's story did.

4. Why Egypt?

I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt. When I found out that my maternal grandfather had North African heritage, it all finally clicked. I've also always loved the story of Dorothy Eady. When she was a child, she visited the British Museum, and, after seeing a photo of the temple of Seti I of Egypt, she claimed to recognize it as home, and ran through the halls, kissing the feet of the statues of the ancient Egyptian goddesses and gods. She eventually claimed to have visions of Pharaoh Seti I and began sleepwalking, but she was sadly placed in sanatoriums several times for these behaviors. She learned and studied Egyptian, collected artifacts, married an Egyptian student, and, finally, fulfilled her dream of moving to Egypt. There, she began writing down her visions from Set I, who related to her that she was the reincarnation of Bentreshyt, an ancient Egyptian priestess. After separating from her husband, she began to work as a secretary and draughtswoman to an Egyptian archeologist and soon became a prolific and talented writer and expert about ancient Egypt. Perhaps the most fascinating part of her history is when she moved to Abydos and worked on the site of the Temple of Seti, where she claimed she had been a priestess in her former life. As a child, when she saw the photo of the temple, she claimed that the gardens were missing. Upon visiting the excavation site, she told the archeologists working there where they would find remnants of the gardens, and, when they excavated them, she was proven correct. She also openly worshipped the ancient Egyptian goddesses and gods, observed the holidays and traditions of their religion, often slept alone in pyramids, and even befriended and fed a cobra! Verity Easton is very loosely based on this idea, as Verity needed to tell her own story, but Dorothy Eady was certainly part of the inspiration.

5. What character do you relate to most? Which one do you find most annoying?

I think all of my characters have a little of me housed within them. I adore Lady Bethy's command and determination, and she was a lot of fun to write. Even though I relate to Verity's experience the most, she also annoys me a little bit, because she refuses to stand up for herself, but I have to let the characters do what they want!

6. This book is set in the 1930s. How much research did you do for the book?

Research is one of my favorite parts of writing. Although my stories are woven with the supernatural, I try to make them as close to the period for writing style, language, and historical events, so the reader can truly immerse themselves in the era. I'm constantly reading historical documents and novels from the time, and following historical experts on social media in order to hone my craft.

7. What audience would you recommend this book for?

Anyone who loves classic literature, history, the supernatural, or mysteries. My readers often say that if you like Agatha Christie or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, you'll enjoy my books.

8. What's next for you?

I have almost completed my third novel, Evelina Fontana, which takes place during the 1940s in Italy. It's a WWII spy/insane asylum mashup, which sounds a bit off the walls, but I think it's working, so far! I was hoping to have it out this year, but I don't want to rush it, so it will probably be released in the spring. Keep an eye out for a crossover character from Verity Easton who will make an appearance in Evelina Fontana! Also, my first book, Hattie Vavaseur, had secret messages scattered throughout. In that same vein, Verity Easton will be used as a cipher to decode secret messages in Evelina Fontana!

I like to end with fun questions.

9. What place and time period would you want to visit if you could time travel?

Do I have to pick just one?! I think ancient Egypt would definitely be at the top of the list, but I've also always had a fascination with Victorian England. Any society that had an obsession with – and interesting customs surrounding – death or the afterlife is of particular interest to me!

10. What's your favorite holiday?

Halloween, of course! I come alive during the spooky season. (And it's the best time to recommend my books to readers who are eager to get their hands on anything supernatural!)

11. What snack do you like to have while writing?

I don't really snack when writing, but I am a drink goblin. I usually have three drinks with me at all times: one for hydration, one for energy, and one for protein. It becomes quite a parade if I decide to move locations around the house while I'm writing.

12. How do you relax?

Reading, first and foremost (I'm in my audiobook era right now)! I also love singing and playing the guitar or playing classical music on the piano. I was able to secure a gorgeous, antique German piano from the 1800s for $100 (it was going to be scrapped because it's short four keys), and I really love making it sing. I also adore collecting seashells on the beach (it makes sense that I collect the husks of dead animals as a murder mystery writer). I love traveling, as well. I've been to 46 of the 50 United States and 12 countries around the world, and I'm looking forward to adding to that list of countries next year!