Q&A with Avery

What inspired you to become an author?

I’m sure this might be a common answer—maybe or maybe not—but I was in the sixth grade when I picked up my first book. My English teacher at the time, Mrs. Coleman, encouraged me to read and my aunt, Jenni, also got me into reading. I’m a little embarrassed but also proud to say that the first book I picked up and read was Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. After I read the first book, I was hooked and my imagination ran wild with writing my own book. 

Do you have a specific writing style?

I have to say my writing style for poetry is more on the free verse style. I’m not into rhyming with words since I believe that poems don’t necessarily have to rhyme or have a meter in order to evoke an emotion or give a message. 

Do you write in different genres?

Yes. 

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

I write urban fantasy, supernatural, New Adult, and fantasy.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

The title of my poetry collection was created after I was released from the hospital. I was in an extremely dark and lonely place in my life when I began to write the poems that fill Hurricane Vignette. These poems were part of my therapy and rebuilding my mental health—rebuilding me. I decided to name the collection after a hurricane because my life felt like I was in the greatest, most terrifying storm I’d ever experienced. I chose vignette because I wanted to focus on one particular part of my life: the trauma, the depression, the anxiety, and my recovery. 

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

The minute I decided to write this collection of poetry, I knew what I wanted the title to be. That doesn’t always happen, but for me, I typically title my book first. 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I want people to hear my story and know that you’re not alone. That you’re important. That you’re loved. I want people to know that you can get through the storm and make it into the eye where the seas are calm and peaceful.

What book are you reading now?

I actually just finished Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa and plan on reading her next book in the Bargainer series. 

What books/authors have influenced your life?

Patricia Briggs, Stephenie Meyer, Chloe Neill, Sarah J. Maas, and Elise Kova to name a few.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

My friend is actually a graphic design major at Mississippi State University. Anna Claire Garrard did such an amazing job designing the cover, and I feel like she took what I had in my mind and put onto paper. To give a little shout out to her, she also has an Etsy shop where she sells stickers and more!