Ask the Author: Rachel Thompson
Answered Questions (9)
Rachel Thompson
I ask myself that question all the time, Dennis! But no, ultimately, I don't feel that way. I'm an advocate of 'writing what scares us,' and I feel that's especially true for myself.
The only way to really dig down into those dark, scary places is to analyze what I don't want to discuss, what others are afraid to ask, what people don't talk about. That is what fascinates me and what I delve into in my writing. I don't think I could write any other way at this point.
The only way to really dig down into those dark, scary places is to analyze what I don't want to discuss, what others are afraid to ask, what people don't talk about. That is what fascinates me and what I delve into in my writing. I don't think I could write any other way at this point.
Rachel Thompson
That's easy: Mancode: Exposed. It's more pure humor. A Walk in the Snark has several serious pieces in it, because when i wrote it, i was dealing with the death of my ex-lover. It was a raw time for me.
It may not have been the best choice to include those more serious pieces in this book, but it was the honest choice. Thanks for asking, Stefan!
It may not have been the best choice to include those more serious pieces in this book, but it was the honest choice. Thanks for asking, Stefan!
Rachel Thompson
Hi Matthew! Great question.
Regardless of whether the review is positive or negative, I thank the person for taking the time to read and review my work.
Writing is art. Art is subjective. Not everyone will love my work, particularly poetry. I get that. I don't love everything I read! So I decided long ago to be thankful, grateful that people are reading me, even if they are mean or rude in their review of it.
Sure, it can sting. I'm human. But I hope I can learn something for future books or at least as a person.
Thank you for asking!
Best,
Rachel
Regardless of whether the review is positive or negative, I thank the person for taking the time to read and review my work.
Writing is art. Art is subjective. Not everyone will love my work, particularly poetry. I get that. I don't love everything I read! So I decided long ago to be thankful, grateful that people are reading me, even if they are mean or rude in their review of it.
Sure, it can sting. I'm human. But I hope I can learn something for future books or at least as a person.
Thank you for asking!
Best,
Rachel
Rachel Thompson
So far, I haven't experienced it. Sure, some days go better than others, but that's the case in any field or heck, life.
If I feel stuck, I go for a walk, listen to music, read, play with my kids. I view writing as a wonderful, amazing, creative job. But it's still a job. Butt in the seat, every day. Write. Even if it's a tweet, or a blog post, or three lines of a poem. Write something. Every single day.
If I feel stuck, I go for a walk, listen to music, read, play with my kids. I view writing as a wonderful, amazing, creative job. But it's still a job. Butt in the seat, every day. Write. Even if it's a tweet, or a blog post, or three lines of a poem. Write something. Every single day.
Rachel Thompson
Being creative. Having people read our work. Connecting with others.
I was in a corporate job for many, many years that quashed individuality and honestly, put me into a depression. I knew I wasn't meant to be strictly a marketer or salesperson.
So I still wrote almost daily, but it took decades before I did anything with it.
I was in a corporate job for many, many years that quashed individuality and honestly, put me into a depression. I knew I wasn't meant to be strictly a marketer or salesperson.
So I still wrote almost daily, but it took decades before I did anything with it.
Rachel Thompson
Trust your vision. Everyone has an idea of what you should or should not write, but it's your name on the cover. Make it your truth.
Hire a great editor, formatter, graphic artist, and proofreader. If you can't afford it, use a crowdsourcing platform like PubSlush to find sponsors. Don't skimp on your work that the world will see.
Hire a great editor, formatter, graphic artist, and proofreader. If you can't afford it, use a crowdsourcing platform like PubSlush to find sponsors. Don't skimp on your work that the world will see.
Rachel Thompson
The next 'Broken' book, titled 'Broken Places,' due Fall, 2014. I was signed by Booktrope (a hybrid publisher) last summer so they'll be releasing the book with their imprint.
They've great to work with, too. I couldn't be happier!
They've great to work with, too. I couldn't be happier!
Rachel Thompson
I find that I become obsessed with a word or phrase, and run it over in my mind almost non-stop, so when I sit down to write, it's just comes out.
I also don't self-edit with that first draft. I just let it flow.
Music helps me immensely, also. I love deep lyrics by Tori Amos, Poe, Imogen Heap, Jonatha Brooke (mostly female artists).
I also don't self-edit with that first draft. I just let it flow.
Music helps me immensely, also. I love deep lyrics by Tori Amos, Poe, Imogen Heap, Jonatha Brooke (mostly female artists).
Rachel Thompson
I really planned on writing my third humor book, but a confluence of events (dealing with the loss of an old lover to suicide, reading journals, finally coming to terms with the childhood sexual abuse I suffered at the hands of a neighbor dad) all decided that their stories needed to be told.
Broken Pieces was born.
Broken Pieces was born.
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