[author title=”Rachel Hauck” image=”https://www.almostanauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Hauck_3049_WBP-1.jpeg”]
Rachel Hauck is a USA Today Best Selling, and award-winning author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle, and Once Upon A Prince.
She also penned the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist, Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel, Softly and Tenderly, one of 2011 Top Ten Inspirationals.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.
She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.
Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.
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One of your books, The Wedding Dress, recently made USA Today’s bestseller list in June, how does that kind of success make you feel as an author?
RH: Hitting the USA Today list took me by surprise. Usually those achievements come with effort behind a new release. The Wedding Dress is 3 years old. So I was honored and really grateful. It was one of those God Things. It’s a goal of every author to hit a bestseller list along the journey because it’s a nice line on your bio. It makes a difference when media folks and retailers are deciding who to reach out to for interviews or who to give prominence on bookshelves. In a word, I was really happy to hit the list!
Can you share a little about your recent book – How To Catch A Prince?
RH: This book is the third in the Royal Wedding Series and special to me because writing it was both creatively and physically difficult. I hit a physical issue about a month before deadline. I was already struggling with the story and the concept. Then to add a physical issue of which I had no control, really made it tough. But with a lot of prayer and the support of my husband and publishing team, and my writing partners, I got ‘er done.
This book deals with the pain of death, the grief of war and the choice of loving well even when you are not loved in return. So it’s more than a royal fairytale but a story of hope and healing. With a bit of royal magic woven in.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
RH: I write because I can’t NOT write. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a girl and it’s humbling to be able to do what I do. I’m grateful to the Lord.
I don’t think I started out with a theme in mind. I’m not sure many writers can nail down what they will thematically touch on their stories until they’ve written a few. The theme, message, heart of every book begins to emerge as the author develops in his or her craft and passion.
Destiny, God’s love for us, His purpose for us, His presence with us seems to permeate my stories. I usually have a supernatural element that “shows” God tangibly invading the natural world.
My over all goal is to write a story layered with truth in an fun, hopeful, entertaining way.
How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?
RH: I’ve been writing full time for 11 years. But I started my first book in ’94. An epic WWII novel that took 2 years to write. Then I stopped for awhile, went back to the corporate world. When I began in earnest again in ’99, it took 3 years to land my first contract – a category romance with Heartsong – which I co-wrote with an established author. I landed my first trade paperback contract in ’04. In reality, I moved along pretty quickly. I think I only had five or six rejections by the time I was contracted. #blessed.
How long does it take you to write a book?
RH: I can write a book in three months but I prefer 4-5 months. I don’t feel I’ve touched the heart of the story in 3 months. But I look for more during the rewrite and editing phases.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
RH: If I’m on deadline – meaning 3- 4 months out from the due date – I write five or six days a week. I try to be in my office, backside in chair no later than noon each day. I shoot for 2K-3K words each session. If I fall behind, I work on Saturdays. I write for 2 months until about 85k-90k words, and then I start over, rewriting from the beginning, taking the last month or two to polish and fine tune the book. I try to be diligent with my writing time so I don’t fall behind. Even when I ran into the physical issue in 2014, I still turned the book in on time. I had no ending and was a mess, but I turned it in!
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
RH: Ah, the Pandora’s box of quirks. Well, I have to have the right lighting. No over head or bold, bright lighting. I have muted, soft lights. Lamps. Also, I have to feel the story. While I’m a “thinker” on my Myers-Briggs test, there’s a “feeling” I get as I write the story. Susie Warren and I call it the “ping” and until the “ping” I’m never sure the story is working. But as I write, the ping always sounds.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
RH: Getting reader letters. Especially from international readers who don’t have easy access to Christian fiction. It’s humbling, eye-opening, and moves me to tears every time. It would take years as a missionary (and I love missionaries!) to reach someone’s heart so quickly. But that’s the power of story! I pray the Holy Spirit uses my words to reveal love and truth to each reader.
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
RH: The aforementioned 2014 physical issue. I couldn’t sleep which created stress. I couldn’t think. I felt as creative as a rock. I would be awake at 3 a.m. and say, “Lord, I’m just going to quit. I’ll call my publisher and tell her, ‘I’m out.’” But I never had peace with that decision. When I said, “I guess I have to walk through this,” then I would have peace. I’m hear to tell you God’s Word works, prayer works. Even in the darkest hour. Even when your body is going sideways on you. Stay with it. He will answer.
Which of your books is your favorite?
RH: Great question. I do love them all but I think Softly and Tenderly, a book I wrote with country artist Sara Evans is one of my all time favorites.
Who is your favorite author to read?
RH: Well, there is a boat load of great authors in the Christian market. Susan May Warren, Denise Hunter, Beth Vogt, Melissa Tagg, but I’ve recently discovered a general market author, Beatriz Williams that I adore. Very clever literary author.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?
RH: I pretty much listened to everything said to me. I knew I didn’t know everything I others who’d gone ahead were my guiding light. So, I’d advice aspiring authors to listen to those who’ve gone ahead of you. Don’t get defensive and stubborn about your work. Learn. Take input. Mostly I see new authors not willing to pay their dues to learn to write a good novel. With the advancement of indie publishing, they are rushing their books out there and frankly, they are not that good. So work with editors and line editors, proofers. Learn the craft. Keep learning the craft. Read, read, read, read.
What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox?
RH: Prayer. Honestly. Go to the Lord, get ideas, ask for anointing and inspiration. Be His partner to unlock the stories of heaven here on earth.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection?
RH: I’ve not faced many rejections. One agent and about five publisher rejection letters. But the biggest rejection issues for me came on the other side! Publishers have an order to their in-house authors. Those they choose to promote and market more than others. That was a hard lesson for me to learn and I really had to submit my heart to the Lord when I discovered I was NOT one of those in-house favorites for quite a few years. But I was and am His favorite (as are you!) and I look at what He’s done for me and wow… I’m so grateful!!
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
RH: How much space do we have? Ha! I love the scenes in Softly and Tenderly between Jade and her mother, Beryl. I won’t say more. You have to read the book. I love the jail scene in The Wedding Dress. Yes, the jail scene. I love the coronation scene in Once Upon A Prince. I love the discovery of the red shed in Princess Ever After. I love the kiss at the end of How To Catch A Prince.
Where do you get your ideas?
RH: Everywhere! I hear things in conversation. Hear a phrase. A story in the news. And ping! Story idea…
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
RH: Getting ahead of themselves. Trying to publish too soon. And trying to write to the market or trends and NOT sticking with a genre to help build their craft and their reputation. If you go to a conference and sit in front of an editor or agent presenting romance, that’s how they’ll think of you. But if you sit in front of them the next year with a Fantasy, they’ll think, “Well which is it?” Then the following year, with a spec fiction or children’s story, they’ll think “This author doesn’t know what she wants to do.” And they might be hesitant to reach out thinking you’re fickle or easily bored. Newsflash: writing is boring. Yes, it can be really boring. And tedious. But also very fun and exciting. So you have to stay with a genre or kind of writing to establish who you are and what you write before and after publishing. Once that’s done, you can branch out.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
RH: Go to conferences, network, meet people. Study the craft. Join ACFW, My Book Therapy and RWA to meet people. So much of my career was launched forward by meeting people, making connections.
We love helping your growing in your writing career.
Thanks for having me. Pardon my few typos, folks!! 🙂 GREAT site!!
Rachel