Help me welcome my friend Rachelle Ayala! I met her through World Literary Cafe last year, and have been blessed by her friendship ever since. Rachelle has a new release, "Hidden Under Her Heart." Her first novel, "Michal's Window," addressed the controversial issue of sex in the Bible, and wouldn't you know it, "Hidden Under Her Heart" deals with another point of contention, but Rachelle's ability to not only see, but write in an objective, yet caring manner, makes this story enjoyable for everyone.
So, pull up a chair and get to know this wonderful author.
1.
When did you know
you wanted to be a writer? What were some of your first steps toward making
your dream a reality?
I dreamed of
being a writer as a little girl. I loved to read and make up imaginary stories
by daydreaming. Sometimes I’d stay awake in my bed until 3 or 4 in the morning
playing these movies through my mind. But I rarely wrote them down and didn’t
consider writing a novel until I was in a college honors course where I wrote a
children’s travel adventure story.
2.
Tell me a bit
about your computer background and how it has affected your writing .
I was one of
the fortunate ones who grew up with the computer industry. My first programming
job was on mainframes, CDC 7600, IBM 360, Prime, Intel hypercube, Sun
workstation, DEC, HP, etc. Back then, you learned a new operating system with
each vendor. Nothing was standardized. It meant you really understood the low
level file systems, device drivers, and command line language. Uh… probably
boring everyone here.
How did it
affect my writing? I’ve experience every type of programming paradigm from
spaghetti code to highly structured design patterns. To relate it to writing,
the code/test/debug/recode process is similar to draft/critique/revise. I’m not
too concerned about getting everything right in the first draft. Writing is
ultimately freeing, because unlike performing arts, such as violin playing
where a single mistake ruins the concert, writing and rewriting allows me
“do-overs”. This is similar to coding.
3.
Tell us about
your books. Genre, titles, any favorite characters? What can we look forward to
from you in the near future? WIP’s, upcoming releases.
My three
novels are of different genres, but all feature women facing serious issues. Michal’s Window got people to empathize
with a strong woman who was suppressed by her time in history. Broken Build deals with grief over
violent crimes and shows the power of forgiveness. Since I published Hidden Under Her Heart, many have shared
with me their personals stories, or those of their friends and relatives. My story
is compassionate and shows how people who are burdened under layers of guilt
can find peace.
I’ve been
bitten by the romantic suspense bug so the next one will be full of action and
mystery. My first three heroines are strong women, but caring and compassionate,
nurturers who seek love. This next one is going to different. She has a surface
charm, but she refuses to fall in love. The hero I’m pairing her with has
similar issues, so it’s going to full of fireworks to see who will give in
first.
4.
Is there a common
thread in your books? How do your values show up in your writing? What do you
want readers to take from your writing?
I am a
Christian, but did not become a Christian until age forty, so I have a very
different outlook than someone born and raised in the church. The common thread
in my book is about acceptance and compassion over judgment. My characters are
flawed, make mistakes and seek forgiveness. Many Christians are too quick to
judge others when they have not walked in their shoes. My current story, Hidden
Under Her Heart, deals with a woman who has been raped and considers abortion.
I’ve heard
from friends who say they’d never consider abortion, that it’s heinous and
wicked. Well, ahem, maybe you’ve not been in her shoes either, or you were
fortunate not to be faced with a circumstance beyond your control. As my main
male character says at the end of the book: Even
though she chose wrongly, she didn’t need judgment, but understanding. She
didn’t need condemnation, but forgiveness.
5.
What do you look
for in a good book?
Dramatic
storylines with vivid characters facing huge problems and obstacles. Great
storytelling that keeps me turning the page, and occasional twists and
surprises that gets me to think. I like to think that I write this type of
story, but of course the reader must be the final judge.
6.
What are some of
the best social media, marketing, and publicity tips you’ve come across?
Particularly those that have worked for you. Any time-saving advice?
Oh,
goodness, don’t I wish I knew of time-saving tips. Actually I enjoy social
networking and meeting people. Facebook is the place I hang out with my friends
and find out about events and happenings.
7.
What are some
things you know now about writing and being an author that you wish someone had
told you at the very beginning?
Not to
expect family and non-writer friends to care or support your writing efforts.
One person told me how liberating it was when she realized her husband’s job is
not to affirm her and that she shouldn’t be looking for approval from him.
Writing and marketing are so time consuming that your immediate family or
physical friends think you’re taking time away from them and their needs.
You’ll get emotional support from writer friends and satisfaction from readers
responses.
8.
Along that same
line, what are some of your favorite resources?
Definitely
my online posse of fellow writers who critique each other or share/swap
marketing tips, exchange blog posts and take phone calls to chat or
commiserate.
9.
What lifts your
spirits when you’re discouraged?
Strange as
it seems, it is reading the funny parts in my novels. For Michal’s Window, it
is all the Ittai scenes. For Broken Build, it is Claire and Melissa scenes. I
even managed to sneak in a few funny moments for my latest book, Maryanne’s
tour of the Melissa’s Woodside mansion before Halloween and the Epilogue with
Lucas’ biggest prank.
10.
What tips can you
offer towards building and maintaining a strong support system as a writer? Any
groups or sites that are particularly helpful?
Give others
a hand and they will give you one back. I enjoy chatting with other writers in
forums from private Facebook groups to places like Kindleboards. Sharing
experiences is a great way to bond with fellow writers. The World Literary Café
has several forums as well as tweet teams where authors can do blog swaps and
cross promote. I also love CritiqueCircle.com where I can trade critiques with
other authors. I’ve gotten to know many people from giving and receiving
critiques.
11.
What are your thoughts on finding balance as a
writer – time to write, first and foremost, and time to expose your writing to
a real audience (marketing, publicity, social media)?
I’m not a
very balanced person. I tend to do things in spurts because I like to focus and
do the best job in any task I work on. I’m currently not writing a draft or
revising, so I’m doing a lot of interviews, blog hosting and promoting. When
I’m deep in writing and revision, I cut back on social media and marketing.
Thank you so much for
participating in Fridays with Friends, Rachelle!
Learn more about Rachelle by clicking on these links:
Visit her at: http://www.rachelleayala.com or follow
@AyalaRachelle on Twitter.
Buy Her Books
Stalk the Author
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