Today I’m sitting down with author Rachel McClellan for a little insight into her writing world.
Rachel is the author of the hysterical–and touching–mommy memoir, Confessions of a Cereal Mother, published by Cedar Fort.
Q: You’ve written two YA paranormal books and now, Confessions of a Cereal Mother, within the space of a fairly short time. Have you always wanted to write, or is this a new passion?
A: I’ve always enjoyed writing, but never took it seriously because I didn’t believe I could ever be an author. Who would want to read what I write? Those were my thoughts anyway. But in 2007 I went on trip to Ireland and something there gave me a burst of confidence and I’ve been writing ever since.
Q: Your mommy memoir Confessions is hilarious! Is life at your home often this funny?
A: Funny, scary….sometimes there isn’t much of a difference. When things are going wrong (i.e. kid throwing up in the car), I’m often thinking, “How can this be happening?” But later, sometimes much later, I can laugh about the events. However, as I grow older, I find just about everything funny and don’t take life so seriously.
Q: With four busy young children, how do you find time to write? Do you have a favorite time of day to sit down and create? Do you have a special place in your home where you can retreat for quiet, or is that sort of a joke? (I know it have been when my kids were little!)
A: My best place to write will probably surprise you. It’s at the gym. Why there? Because they have a place for my kids to play while I “workout”. I drop the kids off then go sit in the lobby and exercise my fingers.
Q: What authors have influenced you the most?
A: When it comes to writing, it was Obert Skye (Leven Thumps) who first showed me how far you can take characters, Markus Zusak (The Book Thief) who showed me how to make words come alive, and Dean Koontz who taught me good story structure. As for authors who influenced my beliefs, I love Ayn Rand and C.S. Lewis.
Q: In what other ways have you learned the craft of writing? Do you enjoy classes, conferences, workshops, etc.?
A: I attended a writers group for a long time in Idaho. They really helped me hone my work. Conferences can be good, too, if you find the right ones. There’s also a couple of killer writing books that helped me immensely like “Writing the Breakout Novel” by Donald Mass and “On Writing” by Stephen King.
Q: Can you name a favorite book/author?
A: I can name several. I love the Odd Thomas series, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Angels are the Repears, Angelfall, Hunger Games, and many, many more.
Q: Any comments on the state of the LDS fiction market?
A: There are some amazing reads that have come from LDS writers, and what’s been wonderful about this is they have proven that you can write a great book free from language and sexual content.
Q: You’ve also written two other books in a young adult paranormal series, Fractured Light and Fractured Soul. Do you enjoy writing fiction?
A: I love it! It is so much fun to create new worlds with all kinds of characters both funny and scary. I like to illicit emotions from my readers and aim hard to do this.
Learn more about Rachel and her books at her website, Rachel McClellan.
