It’s been a few weeks since my last post here on Sensibility and Sense, and I’ve missed you all! Life breaks in with so many wonderful things, that sometimes, blogging and writing just have to take a back seat. My son graduates from college tomorrow, and my daughter had her last day of high school today! She graduates in just two weeks, and the last month has been filled with final concerts, recitals and awards ceremonies. So much joy, so much fun!
Today I have a special treat for my readers. Author Erin Fanning was kind enough to stop by Sensibility and Sense today as part of her current blog tour. Erin’s new book, BLOOD STITCHES (Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press) was released on May 12th. Erin divides her time between Northern Michigan and Idaho. BLOOD STITCHES is Erin’s seventh book.
Welcome to Sensibility and Sense Erin! Can you tell us a little bit about your new book?
EF: It’s called El Toque de la Luna—The Touch of the Moon. At least that’s how nineteen-year-old Gabby’s older sister, Esperanza, refers to the magical powers she inherited from their Mayan ancestors. Esperanza says women with El Toque weave magic into their knitting, creating tapestries capable of saving—or devastating—the world. Gabby thinks Esperanza is more like touched in the head—until a man dressed like a candy corn arrives at their Seattle home on Halloween. But “Mr. C” is far from sweet…
Soon, Gabby and her almost-more-than-friend, Frank, find themselves spirited away to a demon ball, complete with shape shifters—and on a mission to destroy Esperanza’s tapestries before they cause an apocalyptic disaster… And before it’s too late to confess their true feelings for each other.
SS: Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
EF: In 2009, an Italian woman, trapped underneath her bed after an earthquake, kept herself occupied by knitting. I read about her around the same time I was learning how to knit. I imagined firefighters digging through the rubble and finding her wrapped in a knitted afghan.
The story tumbled around in my brain, somehow intersecting with my interest in Mexican culture. From there, I discovered the Mayan twin myth and the battle with the demon Vucub Caquix. Bit and pieces of Mayan mythology adhered themselves to my imagination, morphing into a history of magic and needlework.
Soon Gabby and her family formed, along with a question: what if you could not only knit your way to safety but also create a disaster through knitting. It wasn’t long afterward that Blood Stitches pushed its way through my fingertips.
SS: Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
EF: Never give up: the publishing world rewards hard work and dedication. Sometimes I think success in writing has more to do with patience, perseverance, and the ability to revise than raw talent.
SS: And now for a few fun questions… Who is your favorite literary character? Any why?
EF: It’s hard to pick just one character,since I love so many. But my favorite book is Persuasion by Jane Austen so the main characters, Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth, are among my favorites. Captain Wentworth writes Anne just about the most romantic letter ever written.
SS: If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?
That’s easy—Italian. It has to be the smoothest, most melodic accent (and language) in existence.
Thanks so much for stopping by Erin, this was fun!
Learn more about Erin at www.erinfanning.com
See the BLOOD STICHES trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giNx53F7P3E
Sensibility- Getting to know authors and their books can help inspire your writing and improve your craft.
Sense- Set a goal to read at least one new author each month in your chosen genre.