Lily Scott Spouts Off!

Exclusive interview with dream-walking sleuth and Salem witch, Lily Scott

by Nancy Gardner

I knew I was in trouble the moment Lily arrived. She parked her purple Vespa as if she owned the cobblestones of Salem, and stomped over, trailing the faint scent of mugwort and trouble.

Lily: “Let’s get one thing clear,” she said before I could even start the recorder. “I’m not doing you any favors.”

I had planned a cheerful chat about her latest dream-walking adventure. Lily had other ideas.

Me: So, Lily, tell us about your newest dream-walking adventure?

Lily: No way am I doing you any favors! It’s time for the truth. You continue to fill my nights and days with monsters, murders, and mayhem. Darn if you don’t take inordinate pleasure in messing up my life from the comfort of your quiet little desk, your peaceful bed, and your dull-as-dirt dreams.

The crow on her shoulder croaked in agreement.

Me: Um, but I—

Lily: When you first brought me to life, I had it all — a loving husband, a bright daughter, and a mansion on Chestnut Street. Then you wrecked it all. That’s not storytelling. That’s just plain cruel.

Me: In my defense—

Lily: Slowly, brick by brick, you tore down my comfortable life, turning me into a distraught widow with a daughter accused of murder. As if that wasn’t bad enough, you threw in an old friend’s suicide, a stalker haunting my dreams, and a killer abducting me during Halloween season in Salem.

Me: Paranormal mysteries require monsters, murder, and mayhem.

Lily: Quiet! It gets worse. In Book 2, you continue to pile on my troubles with new villains, new monsters, and questionable new love interests.

Me: Readers need —

Lily: Shush! You mess with my dream world challenges, doubling down with a powerful new dream-walking opponent bent on my destruction.

Me: I don’t know what you want from me. You’re a fictional character.

Lily: I want a movie deal, and Meryl Streep plays me.

The crow squawked, “Deal, deal, deal.”

Me: “Are you done?” I asked.

Lily: “Not even close,” she said.

Me: “Well,” I sighed. “I am.”

Silence except for the click of my recorder shutting off.

Editor’s Note

Lily Scott appears in Nancy Gardner’s paranormal mystery series Dream Stalker and its forthcoming sequel. The making of this interview harmed no authors (much).

🎥 Watch the video that inspired this reporter here.

Interviewer’s Notes:
Crow = surprisingly judgmental.
Do not mention the “plot twist” to Lily.
Bring a sprig of rosemary for protection next time.

What are your thoughts on Lily Scott? I’m genuinely curious about what you’re thinking.