First and foremost, tell us a little bit about yourself, a mini bio that tells us all need to know about you in just 3 sentences.
Three sentences? Well...I am just a plain
average girl who was inspired to write by some I hold very close to my heart. I
prefer the simple things in life; a walk along the beach, the love of my
family, friends and my amazing partner. Oh and I love a good horror movie,
popcorn and a duvet to hide behind, you can’t beat it.
What’s
currently cooking in that brilliant brain of yours?
Well at the moment I am currently working
on a few things, my first novel is well in progress and I have slowly begun
planning and making notes for a second and third novel. But my mind has been
going around in circles as to where to put each character's main points. This
is a whole new experience for me; the most I have had experience with is
writing fan fiction and a few short stories, none that have gone anywhere.
But at the moment my first attempt at
writing a novel seems to be going really well, I am already on the sixth
chapter and the words keep flowing out of me. Something that I never felt
before and I have no intentions of letting it stop.
But there are going to be a few unusual
twists thrown in, some may seem predictable, some unexpected. But I am trying
to keep it simple; I don't want to overwhelm everyone. But all I can do is try
my best.
But what can I say? My first novel was
inspired for a few very close friends that I have, although I don't think I can
name them, but they know who they are. They gave me a chance to join a close
community and spread my wings; they gave me a chance to explore what had been
locked away in some corner of my mind that had remained in the dark. So it’s
for them that I am doing this, and also to prove to myself that anything is
possible.
What
part of the day motivates you most?
I am not a morning person, never have been
and never will be. You could say I prefer the night; it’s a lot calmer and
quieter. I find it more relaxing and getting into that frame of mind is a very
quick transition.
Dr. Seuss, Dr. Who or Dr. House?
Oh Dr. Who...Dr. Who always. To have that
much power and ability to influence and travel through time. To see the things
that he see's, to see the world change.
That is probably every scientists and
writers idea of a dream. Now that would provide so much writing material, a lot
of work. But I am sure dedication could get you there. And if not, you could
always ask the Doctor to take you there.
Favourite
author and why?
Ohhh favourite author, now that is a tricky
one. I have always been a fan of Anne Rice, a love a good vampire story.
Charlaine Harris is another one of my favourites; she has been my idol for
quite some time. L.J Smith, god she can
take you to another place entirely. I guess you can see that there is a vampire
theme going on here. I love vampire stories, so if you’re writing a vampire
story/novel send it my way. Also there is one other particular favourite of
mine, she knows who she is, and well of course there are two. E.L James, now
she is a complete different story altogether, who wouldn’t dream of their own
Christian Grey? Well without the paddle and the crop.
Do
you have a certain style of writing or are you still trying to find it?
Well at the moment I am straddling between
two, but I believe both could and would work in the right circumstances. But
you could say that I am willing to try almost anything to get to the place
where I am most comfortable.
Music
when you write? If so, what’s on your playlist?
How long do you have? We could be here
forever telling you my playlist. It varies; it can start of at Barry Manilow
and end up at Leona Lewis. But I must say I am a sucker for musicals. I find
that music helps me to focus, if I am writing a sad scene I find that the theme
song 'Life and death' composed by Michael Giacchino helps me get into the right
frame of mind. And for other scenes it can vary, I have no set song for other
scenes that I am writing, but I find it easy getting into the frame of mind to
write a sad scene. I can't explain why, but it’s something that I connect with
easier than the others. Maybe it is time I developed and put together a proper
playlist. That might help.
Start of New Playlist –
·
Courier – Between
·
Athlete – Wires
·
Within Temptation – All I Need
·
Barry Manilow – Can’t Smile
Without You
·
Frankie Vallie – Can’t Take My
Eyes of You
If you can think of anymore, I am always
welcome to new suggestions ;)
Do
you have a particular genre you’re obsessed with?
I don’t particularly have a genre that I read; well you could say that I was obsessed with vampires. The supernatural, I love vampires, zombies, werewolves. I guess you could say that I was brought up reading those kinds of books. Although I would never attempt to write one myself, not unless I had a very good idea.
But all the great horror stories we have
today have been from someone who believed in what they were writing. I mean we
have True Blood, Twilight – And I am not ashamed to say that I read Twilight. I
guess all I could do was wait and see what happens in the future; maybe another
great horror story is brewing inside my head somewhere. It just needs the key
to help unlock it. Who knows?
Twilight
Zone, Snapped or Reality Shows?
Reality shows, they are my addiction. I
love X Factor, Big Brother UK, Britain's Got Talent. Although I do have an
addiction to fantasy shows, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Game of Thrones. I
find a comfort in them, an escape from my own reality to theirs. I guess that
is how any writer feels, a chance to escape to another world. See something
through another writer’s eye. See what inspired them; what drove them to act
upon their desire.
Pen
name or using your own? If using a Pen Name, what inspired your choice?
Well, for my pen name I wanted to use
something that was close to me, Russell is my mother’s maiden name and as
someone whom I admire deeply. I felt that it was right to write under Rachel
Russell. My mother has always been there for me, through the good times and the
bad. Although we may have not always seen eye to eye on certain things. But we
have always worked through it one way or another. And for that I am thankful,
so this is sort of my way of idolizing someone who is extremely important to
me.
Favourite food or drink?
Pasta, chicken and anything with lots of
garlic. Pepsi, lots of sugar. I am not one for all those healthy drinks. Lots
of sugar to keep me awake and keep me writing. I am not one of those who follow
a healthy strict diet, I love to indulge, Chocolate has got to be my favourite.
Who doesn’t love chocolate?
Finally, give us some advice you’d have for all the dreamers out there who want to become doers.
Don’t just let dreams become wishes. Make them happen. We are all capable of doing anything we want; just because we don’t think we have the ability to achieve it doesn’t mean we can’t. All you have to do is reach out and grab it; it is yours for the taking. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. Everything in this world was created by someone who had a dream, a vision and they achieved it. And you can do the same, all you have to do it believe. Never put yourself down, never self doubt yourself. It is possible.
For more of the amazing Rachel, you can follow along with her FB page:
LOVE THIS!!
ReplyDelete