Sharon: At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Rachael: I knew I wanted to be a writer by about five, from the moment that I realized letters made words, words made sentences, and sentences made the books I loved to read. I come from a family of readers, and to us, authors, the people that made the magic of fiction, were magical, and I always wanted entrance to that kingdom.
Sharon: I think it’s fascinating that you have combined your love of writing and your love of knitting together in your novels? How did you come up with that idea?
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| Sweater designed and inspired by "How To Knit A Love Song" |
Rachael: I've been a knitter since about the time I could read, also. I realized I wanted to combine my loving of knitting and writing on October 31st, 2006. That was the day before I tried NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, an online novel-writing challenge that takes place every November), and I desperately needed a plot. I decided that if I was going to write fast, I was going to have to write what I loved. What did I love? Knitting and romance. Why not write about a knitter and a sheep rancher? The book almost wrote itself because I was having such a good time. (Of course, then there was editing, which didn't go quite as quickly.)
Sharon: At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
Rachael: Famous? I'm not famous! I'm a just a knitter who loves to write! No, really, having fans like my work is absolutely the best part of my job. My goal was always to write for the woman who's sitting by herself, in a hospital waiting room. If I can make that woman forget her worries, just for a few minutes, then I've achieved my goal, and getting to actually hear from women like that, in email and in letters, is a greater honor than anything else I can imagine.
Sharon: Who are some of your favorite fellow authors? Who inspires you? Do you have a favorite knitting designer?
Rachael: My favorite fellow authors are Sophie Littlefield and Juliet Blackwell (both write fantastic mystery), Barbara O'Neal (stunning women's fiction), and Sarah MacLean (gorgeous, funny historical romance), but those are only to mention a few. I read constantly, and my Kindle is never far away from me. I'm always looking for my newest favorite author. I have two favorite knitwear designers: KiraK Designs (fashionable, wearable current designs) and Joan McGowan-Michael (oh-so-sexy, detailed, old-fashioned detailing).
Sharon: What projects do you have coming up in the future? Both knitting and writing!
Rachael: Right now I've just turned in my third book in the Cypress Hollow Yarns series, and I'm relishing the feeling of a little time off while dreaming up the next goings-on in my fictional coastal town. Hijinks restoring an abandoned lighthouse will ensue, I think. And as to knitting: I'm currently trying to master more complicated lace (although at the very moment, I have third version of the cardigan from How to Knit a Heart Back Home on my needles -- made of a silk/cotton blend, it's the perfect shape and size for spring!).
Sharon: What advice would you have for anyone wanting to take their writing to the next level?
Rachael: Anyone wanting to take their writing to the next level only needs to do two things: Write. Write everyday, even if it's just for a few minutes. Everyone, no matter how busy, can fit writing into their lives if it's important enough, and the more writing one does, the better one gets. Thankfully. And reading keeps you in touch with not only current topics and trends, but keeps you in tune with how our language is ever-changing. That, and it's just plain fun.
My Thanks to Rachael Herron for taking time to share a little of her life with us, and to Christine Maddelena at Harper Collins for arranging this interview.
About The Author:
Rachael Herron received her MFA in writing from Mills College, and has been knitting since she was five years old. It's more than a hobby; it's a way of life. Rachael lives with her better half in Oakland, California, where they have four cats, three dogs, three spinning wheels, and more instruments than they can count. She is a proud member of the San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America and she is struggling to learn the ukulele.
Check out her incredible website at http://www.yarnagogo.com/ for more information on her writing and knitting!
Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a fabulous handpainted craft bag full of goodies! Check out the button on the sidebar to enter!
Check out her incredible website at http://www.yarnagogo.com/ for more information on her writing and knitting!
Don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a fabulous handpainted craft bag full of goodies! Check out the button on the sidebar to enter!
