The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes Interview Questions
About the Book:
1. How did you get the idea of writing The Seventh Sun?
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient civilizations and Mesoamerican civilizations in particular. When my parents decided to move back to Mexico, I knew I wanted to write a fantasy based on ancient Mesoamerican mythology. I started researching (my mom is a research librarian and trained me well haha!) and came across the myth of “The Five Suns”. The idea for the story really took shape from there.
2. What is the key message in this book?
The key message for me is the importance of following your heart, even in the face of incredible opposition. I think so many times we don’t share what we think or we don’t stand up for what we believe in because we are afraid of the consequences. We are afraid of being true to who we really are. But as Mayana learns in the book, “if you ignore the heart for too long, when it finally does grab your attention, it often screams and demands that you listen.”
3. What was your favorite part of the book?
I don’t want to give anything away, but there is a huge twist at the end that was my absolute favorite scene to write. I love scenes that have extreme emotional tension, and this scene was just so tense! Mayana struggles so much with animal sacrifices because of an experience she had as a child, and let’s just say it comes back to haunt her and she has to decide if she is willing to take a stand for what she believes or not.
4. Which princess are you more similar to?
I definitely relate the most to Mayana. I poured so much of myself into her when I was writing. As my own mother will tell you, I am incredibly stubborn and bull-headed. I hate being told what to do or put in a box, and I fight with everything I have to be true to myself. I am also a highly empathetic person, so I really related to Mayana on that level.
5. Which kingdom would you choose to join and why?
I would probably choose Atl, the city of water. Coming from a family of surfers, we believe in the soul-healing power of water. I’ve always felt a connection to the element that is cunning enough to change its path when trapped but also powerful and persistent enough to break through rock. I would legitimately be a mermaid if I could.
6. How did you design the cover?
I worked with the incredibly talented Katherine English, who really brought the cover to life. I had some general ideas of what I was hoping for, but Katherine really took my idea and created something even better I could have ever imagined.
7. Where can readers purchase your books?
I always love supporting independent bookstores, so please check out IndieBound.com. You can also find it anywhere else books are sold (Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon, etc.)! The Seventh Sun was also selected by Fae Crate for their February box!
About You:
1. Where is your favorite place to travel?
I love anywhere that I can learn about history, whether that’s medieval castles in Ireland or the TIkal ruins in Guatemala. I also love getting to visit my family in Mexico. My favorite trip I’ve taken recently was to Belize where I got to trek into the ATM caves and see the skeletons of ancient Maya sacrifice victims in person.
2. What are some of your favorite tv shows and movies?
I love anything historical or fantasy. I loved Game of Thrones and Outlander, and I am a huge fan of The Crown. My favorite movies of all time are Sense and Sensibility and Memoirs of a Geisha. I especially love stories about strong women who overcome hardship.
3. If you could invite one person to dinner (fictional or real), who would it be and why?
(Ah! That’s such a hard question. Can I skip this one? There are too many and I can’t one hahaha!)
4. What is your favorite part of being a writer? (traveling, interviewing, writing in general, etc.)
My favorite part of being a writer is getting to escape into different worlds. The biggest compliment I get on my writing is my world-building, and I think that is because I love to get lost in other worlds. I feel like Anais Nin describes it best when she says “I believe one writes because one has to create a world in which one can live. I could not live in any of the worlds offered to me — the world of my parents, the world of war, the world of politics. I had to create a world of my own, like a climate, a country, an atmosphere in which I could breathe, reign, and recreate myself when destroyed by living. That, I believe, is the reason for every work of art.”
5. What famous author do you wish to be your mentor?
I am a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson because of his talent with worldbuilding, but also his ability to incorporate humor into his characters. I don’t think I ever laughed so hard reading a book as I did reading his novel Skyward. I also adore Sarah J. Maas and would probably pass out if I even got the chance to meet her in person. She is another author I admire for her worldbuilding. I also love her ability to create emotional investment in her characters and hope I can someday have even a pinch of the talent she has.
6. What are some of your favorite 2019 reads?
I really enjoyed Skyward by Brandon Sanderson because of the humor and world he created. I also devoured We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal, Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin, Queen of Nothing by Holly Black, and Fireborne by Rosaria Munda. I have heard amazing things about Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim and it is next on my TBR pile!
