The inspiration behind the tale is twofold.
During that journey she learned about urban legends involving certain abandoned residences in the city.
A case of a real-life haunting in Japan she read about.
‘White Smoke’ by Tiffany D. Jackson.HarperCollins
It completely freaked me out because she was living by herself, and I live by myself.
The TV show or movie you watch when you need a thrill
Unsolved Mysteries.
The music you play to help you write
I play this classical music loop on YouTube.
It just puts me in the mode of “it’s time to work.”
I feel like some people don’t like it, but I love it.
The thriller novels that inspire you
I loveGone Girlby Gillian Flynn, of course.
Those are the main ones that were always inspiring me with their tension.
The writing lesson you wish you’d learned earlier
Be grateful for rejection.
It helps you go in the right direction.
A New York Cityset story you love
Coming to AmericaandGhostbusters.
She wrote this really cute book,Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry.
A book that made you feel seen
The Bluest Eyeby Toni Morrison.
A YA book that always makes you laugh
Opposite of Alwaysby Justin A. Reynolds.
I want to give that to the next generation.
A horror story you return to time after time
The Hauntedby Danielle Vega andBird Boxby Josh Malerman.
White Smokeis out Sept. 14 on HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books.
