Hello Sarah, I am doing a book report on your book, My Daylight Monsters, what inspired you to write these series? What is significant about this book?

Sarah Dalton Hi Harley,

Wow, a report. That's exciting! You'll have to let me know how it turns out. :)

My Daylight Monsters was only supposed to be a short story. It was based on an idea I'd had for a while. I've been a fan of Gothic literature for many years, and one huge aspect of Gothic literature is the setting. Usually, the settings for these books are in large, imposing and grand buildings like Dracula's castle. But I wanted to explore the modern equivalent of that imposing building, and to me, that's a hospital.

I was working in a hospital for a few months, and I absolutely hate them. I hate the smell, I hate the lights. They make me feel really uncomfortable and anxious (which is why I only worked there for a few months!!). So I wanted to explore the idea of a spooky story set in a modern hospital, and explore the terrifying idea that the people who are supposed to care for us are actually trying to hurt us instead.

My Daylight Monsters was supposed to be where it stopped, but I found myself leaving the ending open, and when I wrote that, I knew that it wasn't over. I keep coming back to Mary as a character because she overcame her fears in the first book, and I just love writing her.

Significance... well, the main themes that stand out for me are to do with control. Relinquishing control to doctors and nurses. Putting your life in their hands. Also death and mental illness and how we deal with them.

If you want to get in touch to ask any more questions, just let me know!

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