Ask the Author: Rachel Eliason
Answered Questions (9)
Rachel Eliason
It doesn't take much of a mystery. In fact, the small mysteries of life are great fuel for creativity.
The other day I was at the grocery store. I saw a woman in her thirties arguing with an older woman over vegetables. There was something about the way the younger woman rolled her eyes that told a story, a story of woman forced to play the mother role with her own aging mother.
I filled her backstory in as I shopped and by the time I left I had a new story idea; a lesbian romance about a woman who goes home to take care of her aging mother and meets the woman of her dreams in the process.
The other day I was at the grocery store. I saw a woman in her thirties arguing with an older woman over vegetables. There was something about the way the younger woman rolled her eyes that told a story, a story of woman forced to play the mother role with her own aging mother.
I filled her backstory in as I shopped and by the time I left I had a new story idea; a lesbian romance about a woman who goes home to take care of her aging mother and meets the woman of her dreams in the process.
Rachel Eliason
My first three novels were contemporary YA and I published them under my given name Rachel. When I started publishing more science fiction and fantasy I wanted to create some separation from those books, because they are different demographics of readers.
I didn't want a true pseudonym, I wanted fans to be able to find my books. But I wanted them to know at a glance whether the novel was in the Sci-fi/Fantasy genre or contemporary. So I went with my initials: R. J. Eliason.
It did enter into my thinking that using my initials was more gender neutral, and that some female authors in the past have done so to obscure their gender. Examples include C. J. Cherryh and J. K. Rowlings. But that wasn't the whole intent.
There is also a strong tradition of male writers doing this as well, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, H. G. Wells and even G. R. R. Martin are known either officially or unofficially by their initials. I don't claim to be as good as any of the writers (male or female) mentioned here. I would be incredibly proud if, after years of honing my craft, I was listed among them somewhere.
Thanks for the question and I hope that answered it.
I didn't want a true pseudonym, I wanted fans to be able to find my books. But I wanted them to know at a glance whether the novel was in the Sci-fi/Fantasy genre or contemporary. So I went with my initials: R. J. Eliason.
It did enter into my thinking that using my initials was more gender neutral, and that some female authors in the past have done so to obscure their gender. Examples include C. J. Cherryh and J. K. Rowlings. But that wasn't the whole intent.
There is also a strong tradition of male writers doing this as well, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, H. G. Wells and even G. R. R. Martin are known either officially or unofficially by their initials. I don't claim to be as good as any of the writers (male or female) mentioned here. I would be incredibly proud if, after years of honing my craft, I was listed among them somewhere.
Thanks for the question and I hope that answered it.
Rachel Eliason
Write. The only thing separating a wanna be from a real writer is a hundred pages of writing. So get cracking. Write anything and everything until you figure what process works for you, and what kind of writing sparks your passion the most. But it all starts when you do.
Rachel Eliason
The best way to get inspired to write is to write. It sounds counter intuitive but it's true. I often struggle to get started on writing, but once I've started I quickly fall in love with what I'm writing.
Rachel Eliason
Where I get most of my ideas, day dreaming. I am an unabashed day dreamer. My favorite thing about being a writer is this; when people say "pay attention," I can answer, "shut up, I'm working."
Rachel Eliason
I have read a few Mercedes Lackey books. Part of the whole mage war series. I should look them up and add them. Thanks for mentioning them, I hadn't thought of them in years.
When I get bored I surf through listopia lists, best books in certain categories. I often see books I've read but not added, so I add them. That's why a bunch of stuff will appear suddenly in my goodreads feed. I don't really read that many at once. ;-)
Thanks for asking the question.
When I get bored I surf through listopia lists, best books in certain categories. I often see books I've read but not added, so I add them. That's why a bunch of stuff will appear suddenly in my goodreads feed. I don't really read that many at once. ;-)
Thanks for asking the question.
Rachel Eliason
I am currently trying to get Bear Naked 3: the Hunter and Hunted written. It's completely storyboarded in Scrivener, so it's just a matter of getting the words down on paper now.
Rachel Eliason
I've always said that the best thing about being a writer is this, when people say "pay attention" and I can answer "shut up, I'm working."
Rachel Eliason
I have said before that writer's block is largely a myth, and the root of it is another myth, that writing is easy.
Beginners think that "real" writers always feel inspired and the words always flow easily onto the page. The reality is that writing can be easy, but often it's hard work. Real writers accept this and learn to write even when they don't feel inspired.
I use to call it those times when I wasn't inspired or was struggling to figure what to write "writer's block." Now I accept those times as part of process. I slog through them and eventually get back into the groove.
Beginners think that "real" writers always feel inspired and the words always flow easily onto the page. The reality is that writing can be easy, but often it's hard work. Real writers accept this and learn to write even when they don't feel inspired.
I use to call it those times when I wasn't inspired or was struggling to figure what to write "writer's block." Now I accept those times as part of process. I slog through them and eventually get back into the groove.
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