Jessa Holloway

Ever wonder what inspired Jessa Holloway’s character? A few things. Jessa suffers from anxiety like I do. She was my outlet. My way of getting out of my own head and life and into someone else’s story. Jessa was my way to do that.

Jessa is an amazing woman. We begin her story when she’s eighteen and a Freshman in college. She refuses to admit she struggles with anxiety, but when we first meet her, she’s in the midst of a mini panic attack. Like me, scents calm her down. I bought the type of cologne by best friend wore because it was his scent that calmed me down. In Sweet Lies, Alex’s scent calms her. In Billion Dollar Love Story, it’s Jason’s.

Throughout Sweet Lies, we see Jessa’s anxiety get worse as the events that happen in her life unfold. Like me, being held tightly calms her. Weight calms her.

Jessa goes through a lot in Sweet Lies and Billion Dollar Love Story, but she prevails. She shows her strength. She shows that she is able to get through anything. She becomes more independent. Less anxiety ridden by the end of the story.

I wanted to make her relatable. Jessa needed to be strong because I wanted to show that no matter what your inner personal demons are, you can get through. You can come out stronger in the end. You may think you’re weak, but you aren’t. Everyone has the inner strength to get through whatever tribulations and strife that life throws at them.

My hope is that Jessa be the character that shows how very true that is.