We’re so excited to have the fabulous talented–and incredibly funny–inspirational romance author RACHEL HAUCK with us today! 
After meeting her at the Florida-STAR chapter, I picked up her book Viva Nash Davis and became a big fan. (Miss you Rachel…and all the other STAR’s!)
Rachel is the author of ten, going on eleven novels, and has recently become an “acclaimed” author. (Yeah, funny how that happened. Some dude found her lottery stub stuck to the bottom of his shoe and tried to “acclaimed” her. But her husband refused to pay out.)
Living in central Florida with her husband of sixteen years, two dogs and one ornery cat, Rachel is a graduate of Ohio State University and a huge Buckeye football fan. One day she hopes to stand on the sidelines next to Coach Tressel as a famed, acclaimed OSU alumni, beloved for her work in literature and letters. (She’s written at least a couple hundred letters in her life time.)
Her current release, Love Starts With Elle (July 2008, Thomas Nelson…and isn’t that a GREAT title!?!) is set in the South Carolina lowcountry, and earned 4.5 Stars and Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Club.
Visit her blog and website at www.rachelhauck.com
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Greetings to every one in Plotmonkeyville. I’m so honored to be here. Thank you, Leslie, for inviting me to post this month.
Reading over so many of the great Saturday blogs, I wasn’t sure what to write about so I just opened a Word doc and started typing. Myths of a Writer’s Life came off my fingertips. I decided to go with it. Sometimes it’s worth writing by the seat-of-your pants.
So, a few myths I’ve dealt with in my publishing journey. I hope my perspective will encourage some of you.
Myths of the writer’s life as observed by Rachel Hauck, and only Rachel Hauck, so don’t get mad at the plotmonkeys.
Myth One: You’ll make a lot of money
Hahaha, still laughing over that one, holding my sides. Yeah, don’t I wish. Double dog wish. Making money takes time. Money takes sales, lots and lots of book sales. Book sales requires promotion and marketing, which means a budget from the publisher or rubies from the family fortune.
There are those rare books that “just take off,” like The Shack which hit the best seller list on a few hundred dollars of promotion. But those are so very rare. Don’t hope for it.
When I quit my corporate job to write full-time, our household income was cut in two-thirds. Not half, two thirds. We made budget adjustments, paid off a few things, and determined to live within our means. I had one, small category romance contract when I resigned.
We understood it would be years before I made decent money, now I realize it might be decades, but I loved leaping out in faith, grabbing hold of my own destiny.
The money I earned with my corp job pales in comparison to the deep satisfaction I get from writing.
The month after I left my job, I received two more contracts, one for my first trade fiction, a chick lit with Steeple Hill Café.
I’ve been a working, not-so-rich, elated writer ever since.
Myth Two: The contracts will keep on coming.
And with larger advances, too. No. I went eight months with out a new contract, though previously contracted books had yet to be released. When I did sign a new contract, with a new publisher, I increased only a few dollars in advance money, but only a few.
I’ve heard of authors who gained in advance money only to take a lower dollar amount on a subsequent contract.
Advances are not like getting a raise at work. Once you reach a certain level, you can’t go back.
So, don’t despair if it takes time to earn another deal. Keep at it. One thing is for sure, you won’t get a second or third contract if you quit.
Myth Three: Your editor or agent will be your friend.
It’s nice to consider the possibilities, but consider how many authors an editor might deal with in a year. Or how many relationships an agent may have after five, ten, thirty years in the business.
The chemistry for something beyond a working relationship takes time. The first time I met with my current editor I felt sure I left the “bungling idiot” impression behind. I’m still amazed she wanted to work with me. Though, I recently discovered she doesn’t remember our first meeting, so, hey, you mean I wasn’t memorable? Even as a bungling idiot? Hmmm…
All you need is a confident, open dialog relationship with your editor and/or agent. Business first. Becoming friends is icing on the cake.
In the mean time, look for ways to build rapport with editors and agents, those you might like to work with in the future. They will remember your kindness.
But remember, no one likes a suck up.
Myth Four: All writers get writer’s block.
I hate this assumption. Sometimes I think writer’s get blocked because they worry about being blocked!
I’ve been writing full-time for four years and never ever had writer’s block. I’ve been slowed down, stuck, frustrated, sleepy, bored and irritated, but never blocked. I can always think of something to write. Doesn’t mean it’s good or that the paragraph with five “was’s” and six “should have been’s” will make the final manuscript, but at least I wrote something.
A solution to being stuck or momentarily “blocked” is writing partners. I love the relationship between the plotmonkeys. What a great idea. Having a plotting partner is a great way to make sure you don’t stump yourself or write into a corner.
I have a friend, author Susan May Warren, who is my plotmonkey. Yes, for a bunch of bananas she’s available at my very whim. When I reach a critical story point, or fork in the plot road, I call her. She knows my story and characters well enough to brainstorm solutions or tell me, “No, very bad idea.”
She also keeps me from my biggest writing nemesis – changing too much of the story mid-way.
Which leads me to another myth…
Myth Five: You should have a critique partner.
Critique groups have grown in popularity and have helped many authors improve his or her craft, but there’s a down side to this phenomenon.
One, the members tend to write “too much alike.” Their pet peeves become the same and they can’t recognize the uniqueness of each other’s voice.
Two, it can be the blind leading the blind. Several years ago I agreed to read a manuscript for a woman who told me, “my crit partners just loved it.”
She was ready to pitch her story at a conference, convinced an agent or editor would snap it up. But her critique group did her a disservice. The manuscript needed a lot of work – not only the writing, but the plot and premise.
Just reading the synopsis I could see the story’s trouble spots. This woman’s crit group didn’t recognize the story’s flaws, or they loved her too much to be honest. Neither one is a good option for a writer aiming for a publisher’s contract.
A good crit group has to have honesty and savvy craft understanding.
Three, crit groups can make writer’s lazy. The author depends on the critters to find plot holes and characterization flaws. Over time, this kind of relationship hinders the author from growing and learning, gaining confidence in his or her own ability.
When we kids, learning to ride a bike, training wheels made sense. But sooner or later, the wheels had to come off. Ever see a teenager riding her ten-speed with little wheels connect to the back tire? (No, but it would be kind of funny…)
Don’t get me wrong, critique groups are invaluable for catching typos, misspellings, anomalies, and helping new authors. But if you’ve been writing for a few years, challenge yourself to write an entire manuscript without input from your crit partners – or very limited input – then submit it to them when you are sure your story is publisher ready!
Myth Six: Writing gets easier with time.
Not complete a myth, but if you’re hoping for he smooth sailing season, forget it. Writer’s never arrive. We should never stop seeking to improve our craft.
After a few rewriting processes with my two fabo editors, I’ve learned a few things. Mostly what they like and don’t like. Ha! But, I’ve also learned my strengths and weakness. I’m great at dialog and characterization. Decent at setting and pacing, not so hot the actual prose. I could use some beautification. So, I read and learn.
Also, I want to master the art of arriving late to a scene and leaving early. You know, where it feels like you walked in on two friends mid-conversation. You’re intrigued and have to listen close to catch what’s going on. Then, just when the conversation is getting all juicy, your cell rings. It’s your boss and you have to answer. By the time you hang up, your friends have finished their conversation and left the room. Hey, what happened? Hello? Fill me in.
Sure, keep reading!
I love that kind of writing. I love the evolution of writing, the changes it can sustain and creativity is fosters. It’s cool to ponder, “How can I approach this book different than my last?”
Myth Seven: Once I get published, the books will fly off the shelf, my numbers will astound my publisher, I’ll be immediately popular, everyone will want to buy my book, all the reviews will be five star and stellar, Oprah will call, I’ll lose ten pounds, and Hollywood will buzz, “Baby, where have you been?”
My first trade books did “okay.” Great reviews (shew) but slow sales. I’m building readership, and it take time.
Friends and family are bored with me already and I barely get an “oh, good” out of them when I gush about a new release or review.
Oprah doesn’t know I exist. Big surprise.
I gained ten pounds over the last few years ‘cause I sit on my butt all day writing. Gotta tell ya, it’s not that far to the kitchen from my office. Even less steps to the bathroom. At least in the corp world, the girl’s room and copier were on the far side of the building.
I’m a legend only in my own mind.
I write because I love it. If you have dreams of fame and fortune, try out for Survivor or The Great Race.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my myth busters. I had fun writing them. Be encouraged and have fun discovering your unique writing journey.
Learn from others, be teachable, think outside the box, take the common, every day and turn it upside down. What do you see? Write about it.
Most of all, have confidence and patience. When I started writing I thought, “if I keep at this, day-by-day, year-by-year, I won’t wake up when I’m eighty and think I wasted my time. Sooner or later, I’ll be published. Sooner or later.”
And so will you.
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Rachel is giving away a copy of her book LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE today to one lucky winner!!
:banana:
A random winner will be chosen from everyone who comments today. Be sure to check back tomorrow for ALL this week’s winners, including Diana Peterfreund’s winner from Wednesday, this week’s Jungle Madness winner from Friday, and today’s giveaway from Rachel!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, Rachel! So great to have you here. Fabulous advice, too.
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Rachel, thank you for clearing up those pesky myths! It was great fun reading about them. I love the title of your new book – very witty!
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Thank you for swinging in the jungle with us today and for the great myth busters. So true! Love the title and cover of your new book.
Have a terrific Saturday all,
Cher
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:flower4you: :flower4you:Welcome Rachel to the Jungle. Thanks for the myth advice. Have a great weekend. :flower4you: :flower4you:
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Great advice, Rachel! And love your new cover! And what a great title too. Looking forward to seeing you at the ACFW Conference in September!
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Great post, Rach, and so very YOU. Loved it!
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Great post, Rachel. I just sent my 60th release to my editor yesterday
and I’ve been writing a few {{cough cough}} more years than you. But I don’t think the myths or the mythbusters have changed much since I got my start.
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Hi Rachel,
I really enjoyed your interview. Lots of helpful advice! Great cover on your latest book, LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE!! Continued blessings in your writing career. :heart1:
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Great interview and the myths…how true!
Good job
T
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Welcome to the Jungle Rachel! I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Rachel’s books but I love learning about new authors.
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Welcome Rachel. I enjoyed the interesting interview and your books look so appealing and unique, Best of luck and much success.
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Hi Rachel! This was so much fun to read this morning! Thanks for sharing these myths and putting them in perspective. All your covers are great, and I wish you the best with your newest release. (May this be the one Oprah picks up. :wink:)
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Welcome to the jungle Rachel…I really enjoyed your blog…it answered some of the questions I have had over the years…writing and getting published can be so intimidating and the worry just makes it that much more difficult…
The image of a teen riding a 10-speed with training wheels was hilarious…
Do they still make those? Can’t tell when I last saw one…
Rachel, I have not read any of your books, but the titles sound very interesting, and they are catchy too…love the play on words in the title, Love Starts With Elle…
What I find to be really difficult after publishing and being on the market is finding the time to promote your work…how do you go about doing that?
Les, I finished Heated Rush and it was wonderful…I loved Sean when I first met him, and it was good to find out more about him as a character…Annie was a great foil for him…absolutely loved the scene at the Daycare center…I actually didn’t expect it…so kudos to you…I remember reading the excerpt you gave us, but did not expect what happened…awesome job…
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haha Totally loved that blog. It was funny. And I highly respect those who can laugh at themselves and be totally cool with it. I think it’s really awesome that you decided to leave a well-paying job to do something you love. Many people I know only focus on a career choice for the money, not the satisfaction. I rather choose something I love as well. Well, keep writing despite the low sales, I’m sure you’ll make it big time. =)
Please enter me in the contest. Truth be told, I’ve never heard of your books, but now that I have, I’m a little interested by the titles and the cute covers. haha.
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Happy Saturday Rachel!! I enjoyed the blog this morning and I really appreciated the honesty of the myths. As a reader it helps somehow to know that the author is still a real person with a real life- don’t ask why because I don’t know. My favorite part about the plotmonkeys blog is that readers get a chance to see the community that authors have created for themselves. I’m sure that some aspects of being a published author involves competition but the blog stays supportive and funny. The guest feature also helps find “new” and talented writers- always on the look out for another favorite! So while I confess to never having read your books- sorry sorry- I will now add your name to m authors to read list and head off to the bookstore
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LOVE STARS WITH ELLE
Has been added to Julys book store shopping list.
Leslie: you have realy done a terrific job with these new releases.
They are both super sexy and mighty fine.
Zoey will check in later. I think she is re-reading
HEATED RUSH under the covers by flashlight. LOL
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Thanks for stopping by! Always nice to meet new authors and good advice as well.
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OOPS “LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE”
Look at that! A goof, reason to get the title more attention.
I will now write on the black board ten times.
LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE
LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE
LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE
LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE
LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE
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Hi, Rachel! I really need to get back to Florida to visit one of these days!
Those myths are amazing. I know Myth 5 INTIMATELY! The hardest thing I’ve had to do is find someone who will critique my work the way it NEEDS and I WANT it done. I don’t want to know how good it is. I want to know what is wrong so I can fix it and I want to know what I need to do to make it better. It’s embarrassing to be told by an editor that one’s work appears to be a “first draft” – after numerous edits and critiques. Ouch. But…I took the editor’s advice and I’m reworking that particular project.
I’m not sure how any writer can be blocked… A current project may be stalled but I always have other plots and characters swirling around ready to step into the breach.
Thanks for some enlightenment, excellent advice, and a made-me-smile dose of humor. I hope you’ll come back to visit the Jungle soon!
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Nice job on those myths. I always say that if you want an easy and I-know-what-to-expect job, don’t be a writer. But if you want the joys of creativity and poverty, go for it! Funny how those two go together,
Gayle
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Great myth-busters, girl! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see you!
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Hiya, Rachel! :wave: Great article, you myth buster, you.
:monkee2: Reminded of that, I whipped out my trusty GMC charts and voila! I found the answer. Surprised me, though. It was a really cool one I hadn’t expected. So yeah, I think true writers block is a myth.
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Your covers are beautiful. I like your author photo as well. It’s great to hear about another writer doing it for love.
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Welcome, Rachel! I enjoyed your interview and I’m looking forward to reading your books!
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Great interview! :wave:
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I loved this. thank for sharing, will be looking for your books!
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Great interview… thanks for sharing!!! :flower4you:
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Thanks for this interesting interview. Love your books which look captivating.
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Great article, Rachel! Thanks!
And oooh, I like this one: :darth: (Battling those myths … yeah … )
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Glad you could be here today, going to check out your site now!
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This was really insightful! I really loved it! ‘busting myths!
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Hi Rachel,
Thanks for visiting with us today.
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Really enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
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Hi, Rachel. Thanks so much for guest blogging here at Plotmonkeys.
Out of circumstance, I’ve had to write a few books without critique…and it sucked. Just sayin’. I pulled it off, of course, but having that extra set of eyes allows an author to take chances. I like that part of the process. I’ve had the same critique partner (not counting the Plotmonkeys) for over 15 years and although process has changed, we still depend on each other and I can’t see why this is a bad thing. We don’t critique every word anymore (time constraints) but she’s one of the people I go to if a scene isn’t working.
I think a good critique situation can be invaluable. But it’s not for everyone.
Your covers, by the way, are fabulous. Just stunning. Titles, too!
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Nice to see u swinging around Jules…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Welcome to the Jungle Rachel
Geat blog
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Carly
I got
Property today 
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Welcome, Rachel. Hope you enjoy your stay in the jungle!
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It’s great to see a fellow Buckeye doing something they love and excell at. I totally agree that as long as the money is sufficient to meet your basic needs, a job has to feed your soul as well. You must have a wonderful relationship with your hubby to have made that move and succeded so well.
I have never read your books, but will look forward to finding one soon.
Go Bucks
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Rachel, I loved your mythbusters. They are definitely things people need to think about when going into the business of being an author. Thanks for stopping by the jungle to point out those realities! :)
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Hi Rachel, Welcome to the jungle. I enjoyed reading about “the myths”. Each time I read about the creation of a book I appreciate all the authors more & more. I am an avid reader with no desire to write! I’ve never read any of your books but I will be tracking one down soon. It is always fun to discover another author that writes books I love.
Thanks Plotmonkeys & Leslie for introducing us to another talent.
Enjoy your Saturday.
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I enjoyed the myths; you are a new to me author so please enter me in the draw.
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Loved your myth busters!
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Great blog subject, Rachel. Really enjoyed your myth busters. I’ve been writing a lot of years and have suffered through believing some of those very myths. Now I’m trying to take it one book at a time and hoping readers will want to pick up one of those books. I’m sure they’ll love reading your new book. Ann H. Gabhart
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It’s great to have you here with us Rachel. I recently purchased “Sweet Caroline” but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I hope to get a chance to read more of your books. :wave:
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Jeannie…if Zoey can read AND hold a flashlight at the same time I think you need to call David Letterman.
Thanks so much for the kind words–I’m so glad you liked them! :banana:
And Rachel, thanks again so much for being here! Your myths really resonate with me, every single one of them.
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Great blog and fabulous myth busting rules! Thanks for the advice. You made me laugh. :wave:
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Hi Rachel,
I enjoyed your post! I have not read any of your books, but that is going to be remedied. :flower4you:
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Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great comments and encouragement.
i was out all day, but was thinking of y’all. Went to a STAR meeting, Les. We learned about Glocks and other pistols and revolvers.
Julie, your comment about a crit partner is so true. I know several other writers who find a great chemistry and remain critters for years. I hope for people who are struggling to find a critique partner cut themselves some slack.
For me, I used to feel like if I didn’t have that person, I’d never finish a book.
So, I decided to train my hubby to be my critter before submission. Who else can I ask to read a 85K manuscript in a week? 
Carly, Leslie, Janelle and Julie, thanks so much for having me. Thanks to all the plotmonkeys for making me feel so welcome!
And Robin Lee??? Sixty books! Wow! You are amazing, truly! Love ya.
Rachel
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Rachel,
Too, too true! My only writer’s block is deciding what to write. I have new ideas every few minutes and have to block them so I can finish what I’ve started. :wallbash:
I have read your books and love them. Keep it up.
Great seeing you today on Tortoise Island. Why didn’t you mention your blog?
Marian
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Hi Rachel (waving from ACFW and Book Therapy)!
I love what you said about writer’s block. I always have new ideas and if I sit still long enough, I’ll write something. Yes, I get stuck but usually reviewing what happened last, and maybe my synopsis, are enough to get me on my way. What I write be terrible, but something is better than nothing.
PatriciaW
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Rachel, you get the best covers!
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Those myths — I think you nailed them all. Wouldn’t it be nice if just one was true LOL
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Welcome, Rachel! It was great to read your myths to writing. I agree with the others. Your covers are fabulous!
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Hi Rachel, its nice to see you here. I loved the myths you have posted about writers. I loved the one about writers block. Since I am not a writer I keep writers block, I don’t think I am cut out to be a writer. Although I can make you a quilt very well.
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As an aspiring author, I find it hilarious that the first thing that people think of is that I going to be the next Nora Roberts and make millions of dollars selling my book. Heck, I will be happy if a publisher will read it. LOL
Thanks for the myths, they made me smiling and laughing out loud. My hubbie thinks I’m crazy now. LOL
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Quilt lady, hang in there. You’ll figure out if writing it for you… I however couldn’t color a quilt on paper let alone sew one. I’m so impressed!
Patty, keep writing! An editor will read your work one day if you keep at it.
Rachel
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Love reading about all the myths. I guess most people really believe that writers are rolling in money once they get published. My uncle is a writer, so I know from him how long it takes to finally make a living from writing.
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Nice blog.
I love the covers of your books! Havent read any yet – they look good.
:monkee2: 
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Great post. Loved the myths.
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What a fun blog reading your writer’s myths. Good luck with your wrtiing.
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Welcome to the jungle, Thanks for coming I look forward to what other authors have to say. I’ve always enjoyed reading and writing when I was younger then life took over and I pushed it a side I’ve always be thinking of characters and situations sounds crazy but I hear voices talking in my head not like I’m crazy but creating characters. It wasn’t till after moving to Florida two years ago I started reading again and the voices talked to me louder and like a light bulb went off in my head i started writing. though I’m just beginning and really have no clue as to what I’m doing (getting it from my head to paper and liking it is whole other venture) So I love hearing from people who have been doing it and seem to know what they are doing. so Thanks and I’m going to go look up your website and take a look at your books. :wave: