Rachael Ritchey is the author of The Beauty Thief, a first in the Chronicles of the Twelve Realms series, who also hosts a weekly writing prompt on her website called Blog Battle. She’s a native Idahoan who knows next to nothing about potatoes except that she likes them. Now she can be found hiding in her basement in Eastern Washington, tapping away at the keyboard and exploring made-up worlds in her head.
What was the funniest mistake you’ve made as a writer?
I don’t know how funny it is, but I’ve gotten character names mixed up a few times. When I go back to edit I will stop, double-take, wince, & then furrow my brow while wondering if one of my beloved family members has sneaked onto my computer, switching the names with delighted mischief. I kinda wish it was the case. But no. That would be too easy of an explanation. 🙂
What about your upcoming work?
My upcoming work is book two in the Chronicles of the Twelve Realms series situated in a fantasy realm where magic exists. But any kind of sorcery is almost unheard of in the Twelve Realms. The second book, Captive Hope, follows a supporting character from The Beauty Thief on an adventure across the Opal Sea. The book is with my editor right now, so I wait in anxious anticipation to receive it back.
Any basic writing philosophy or tips?
My writing philosophy? I suppose I agree with those who’ve come before. Write if you need to write. If you can quit, then quit. If you can’t, then write. Not everyone will love what you write. Not everyone will understand it, but you cannot please everyone.
Do you have any revision tips to share?
When revising I’d say it’s easier to do it several times, but each time look for something different. As an example, maybe one revision could be focused on story flow, one on content (to make sure everything makes sense and is in order, and your character names are not mixed up!), one revision for repetitious words and out-of-place phrases, and so on. It may seem like a lot, but if you break it up into different revisions, it’s actually easier to catch all that stuff. This is something I learned the hard way.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
The best advice I can give is if this is something you’re passionate about, being willing to make sacrifices. Don’t let all the busyness of life, all the unimportant little things that add up get in the way. I’m not talking about showers and laundry. Trust me, people appreciate when you don’t smell like a week of BO and that bag of sour cream and onion chips you ate while typing away at your next big story.
What’s the best part about being a writer?
Would it be dumb if I said writing? It’s the fame, the fortune. Yeah, uh huh. Not! It’s the adoring fan’s review, the constant fear of rejection or disappointing someone, the hours sitting at my desk until my rump is numb, too much coffee, and the disappointing lack of sales on the report when I check on my book babies’ progress. Oh wait. It’s none of this and all of it. The best part about writing is the writing. I get to tell my stories, to free the crazy, amazing characters in my head, explore things that are hard and attempt to put them into words. Yes, it’s definitely the writing.
How did you decide on your genre?
The genre was kind of decided for me by the first story. See, The Beauty Thief came out of a hard place I was in my life, my own ugliness and disconnected discontent. It has elements of fantasy in the fact that is works much like a fairy tale. There is wicked evil in the form of magic, but the world isn’t populated by fantastical creatures. It’s almost mundane in that regard, but when magic is present in the story, it’s dark and unmistakable.
What is the best part about being an indie author for you?
The best part about indie is that I get to make all the final decisions on everything and retain full control over the whole process. That being said, I value and take to heart everything I’m blessed with as far as editing, peer and beta feedback, design consults, marketing advice, interviewers, reviewers, etc. I never want to take for granted the myriad of people who help and make this whole indie publishing process possible.
What’s something most readers would never guess about you?
I tend to think I’m an open book, so there’s not much left to guess. Maybe they’d be surprised to know that when I open my mouth to speak it’s often to say the most awkward and weird things. Words will flow between brain and fingers pretty well, but getting them from brain to mouth seems to lose something in translation.
Besides writing, what are your favorite things to do?
I love to read and draw, watch TV with the husband, baby-talk to the dog, hang out with my kids, hike near the river, and spend time with friends in person and online. I think the list of not favorite things to do besides writing would be much longer and include dirty words like ‘laundry,’ ‘dishes,’ ‘mopping,’ and ‘shopping.’
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Find out more about Rachael Ritchey at http://rachaelritchey.com/.
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Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.
Cathleen Townsend 
As a lover of interviews I have to say: great interview!
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Thanks, Solveig! ❤ 🙂 And thanks, Cathleen for the fun opportunity! 🙂
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It was my pleasure. I hope the new book does even better than the last! 🙂
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Me, too, Cathleen. I appreciate all your help and support. It means a lot to me!
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Reblogged this on Rachael Ritchey and commented:
Cathleen Townsend, one of our great Blog Battle Buddies, was kind enough to interview me this week! Was lots of fun answering her questions. 🙂
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I’m proud and privileged to know you!! ❤
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Ditto, Rheva. You are one of those who’ve made a positive and lasting impression on my life. ♡
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Wonderful interview, and great questions asked! I’m looking forward to when your new book is out, Rachael. 🙂
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Thanks, E! & Me, too. All is silent on the editor editing front at the moment, so I’m trying not to imagine the worst. Haha!
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Uh-oh, the dreaded silently waiting period while editor is at work! *shudders* Am not looking forward to that when it’s my turn. XD
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Haha! It’s always in the back of your mind. Hmmm.might explain why I’ve been on edge the last couple days. ;P you’ll get through it!
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Any good news about Captive Hope yet? Editing wise?
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Still waiting. Need to send final payment, too. Had some car trouble so that’ll delay a few days, too. I’m getting ridiculously nervous. 😉
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Car trouble, it tends to happen when we are least prepared, haha.
Here is a cup of chamomile tea for you, to calm the nerves. 🙂
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ooo, I do so love chamomile. Thank you! I feel better already. The next couple days are going to be busy with chaperoning of field trips, but after that I will be replying to your email. 😀 It has a big yellow star next to it in my inbox and I haven’t filed it away! haha Mostly I’ll be pestering you with questions about your novel and progress and the like. 🙂
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Field trips sound like fun during this autumn time of year! Well, if it wasn’t so chilly here, haha. Been using the heater off and on. 🙂
Yay! 😀 I shall pester you in return with questions. 😛 😉
I’m going to post an October updates/overview post soon, and a newsletter, after I’ve been slacking on doing that the past two months, haha. 🙂
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It’s been five for me. I’m terrible at it!
Field trips are chilly this time of year, but I had a tin of fun with the kids. 🙂 letter will be coming some time tomorrow, before the book signing. I had an unexpected, but welcome, day of babysitting my cousin’s 1 1/2 yr old. 🙂
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Great insight and tips. Also, yes, writing is the best part of writing. 😀 It has to be because one never knows… Best of luck with the new book.
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Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
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An illuminating interview, Rachael. I enjoy learning more about you. You’re fascinating. ❤ 🙂
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You’re so kind, Tess. I tend to think I’m boring and at best, weird, but I’ll glom fascinating and run with it. 🙂
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I guess we are all hardest on ourselves. I believe I’m the most boring person on earth. Top that! 😀
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oh no! I totally take the cake when it comes to that category. 🙂 You are nowhere NEAR the most boring person on earth. 🙂 You are fabulous, intricate, entertaining, creative, kind, thoughtful, resourceful, energetic and so forth. You do not qualify for the boring category, my friend.
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NoNoNoNoNo We’re not going there.
If I have to talk about myself, I draw a blank. I believe a lot of us do.
I always think everyone else in the world is exciting and far from boring.
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It’s a reciprocal feeling/thought me thinks. 🙂 haha
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❤ ❤ 🙂
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Thanks for the interview. Yes, in revising as in writing, we do it many times, more than the normal person would think possible. And yes, the writing itself, the process, the words coming to mind, is what matters most.
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I can’t believe the number of times I’ve rewritten novels. I take hope from my short stories–they seem to need less work. But I don’t just draft it and have it be good. I suppose it could happen some day, but I’ll be happy with being a more efficient editor.
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Cathleen, Ernest Hemingway said a writer shouldn’t write much more than he needs for a draft, to keep the words to a minimum over what the writer will probably need for a good draft. But I find that extremely difficult. Right now, I’m working on a book from which I’ll have to cut 30,000 words. And F. Scott Fitzgerald said there were two kinds of authors: putter-inners and taker-outers. I’m forced to be a taker-outer.
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I find it amazing how many different takes famous authors have on the process of writing. I’m a bit more of a taker-outer . . . or a revamping-changer? I imagine Ernest Hemingway was a meticulous sentence writer. That could almost be more painstaking than editing twelve times.
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Thanks, David. It’s good to know there are others who understand the dedication of repetitions we make in editing our books. You’re right that non-writers have no idea how much work goes into making books more than presentable. Such a pleasure to meet you. 🙂
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Cathleen, congratulations what a lovely interview of Rachael, now I feel that I know Rachael even better and lots of interesting tips for budding authors like me to take on board.
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Marje, you’re so sweet! I’m so glad we’ve met and continue to get to know each other! 🙂
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Hi Rachael, lovely to get to know you too! Have a great week Rachael. 🙂
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