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Author Interview: Rachel Hauck Posted on October 8, 2009 12:00 AM MST by Tiffany Kinerson
My favorite part about your writing is that you do two things in your work: make it at once light and deep. I’ve tried it before in my own writing, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Sigh. Without accusing me of noodling for free tips, will you tell us about some of your background, perhaps, that has led you into this name brand of fiction? RH: I love romance, romantic comedy. I’ve always read romance, and books with strong characters, so it just seemed like a natural place for me to start writing. Chick lit came along and I found my voice. I kept diaries for seventeen years, so telling stories about girls in love came naturally. Ha! Another great quality of your writing is that you create strong female heroines. Perhaps they have wavered in decisions as they try to balance expectations with heart, as Caroline does in her story, but in the end they are focused women, sometimes they go against the reader’s very expectations. You also have men who are assuredly un-clichéd. In Sweet Caroline, Mitch O’Neal about steals the show wherever he goes, but in spite of a history of self-absorption, the guy’s got true heart. Tell us some thoughts on characters, and perhaps how this has applied in your own life and friendships. RH: Characters have to be a combination of fact and fiction. They are both real and larger than life. The best way to write great characters is create an every day character then add some aspect that makes them heroic or larger than life. For Mitch, he was a famous country artist, self-absorbed and selfish, but he was humble enough to see the truth about himself. This makes characters relatable, likeable. For my own life and friendship, I steal characteristics from my friends, eavesdrop on things they say and use them for my characters. I had a friend say how angry she was that her father hid his German heritage. That intrigued me. I’ll use it for a character one day.
RH: Wow, great question. I loved Caroline, of course, because she was so sincere. I also loved the Frogmore’s cook, Andy, but Mercy Bea, the waitress with an attitude, was fun to create. Elle might have been my favorite secondary character. Probably why she came to have her own book! Beaufort was also a great setting. Small town with a sophisticated feel so I had liberty to broaden the story. And speaking of broadening a story, Love Starts with Elle is the sequel to Sweet Caroline. Would you like to tell us about Elle’s progression from side-kick to star? RH: Yeah, she was so lively and fun. I knew I wanted to create a sequel with Caroline’s friend, so I tried to look for ways set her up for a story. Her name was originally Edie, but when I changed her to Elle, she took on a whole new life. Sidekicks are great characters to write. It’s a bit more challenging to turn them into the star. I had to deepen Elle’s heart and motivation. Continuing with the side-kick to a star idea, you recently co-wrote a book with Sara Evans: The Sweet By and By. I assume with her country music roots, this book will run along the same lines of your Southern-rooted prior novels. Would you like to tell us a bit about this book and how you came to partner with Ms. Evans? RH: We are really excited for this book to release. It has a southern and mid-west setting, inspired by Sara. Thomas Nelson paired us together when publisher Allen Arnold approached Sara about a book project. It’s been such a God thing. We’ve had a great working relationship and are excited about what God will do with these books. We are writing four fictional stories together – based on characters we brainstormed. So to be clear, the stories are not autobiographical of Sara’s life. Is there anything else you’d like to add, Rachel? RH: THANKS for having me! It’s been a great honor. |
 
Blog Roll 101 Cookbooks ACFW Blog Amber Stockton, Author Angela Hunt, Author Athol Dickson, Author Books & Such Literary Camy Tang, Author/Editor Carla Stewart, Author Chip MacGregor, Literary Agent Chris Richards, Writer Christianity Today Movie Blog Christianity Today Political Blog Craft Cinema Girls Write Out Hearts at Home Hero Arts Blog Jan Parrish, Bold and Free Ministries Jody Hedlund, Author Kasey Heinly, Writer Lisa McKay, Author Megan DiMaria, Author Michael Hyatt, Leading with Purpose Nancy Rue, Author Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent Nichole Baart, Author Patti Lacy, Author Paula Moldenhauer, Writer Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent Red Hot Read, Denise Holmes Robbie Iobst, Writer/Speaker The Pioneer Woman Tina Ann Forkner, Author Yummy Treats |
Rachel, congratulations again on winning the American Christian Fiction Writer’s 2009 Book of the Year for Sweet Caroline. I don’t want to make you toot your own horn, so I’ll go ahead and do it for you. In addition to the above award, you’ve received a Maggie Award of Excellence, a Romantic Times TOP PICK, a RITA final, a Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence final, and I’m sure I’m missing some others. You have always been up there as a favorite of mine, so I feel like I’m climbing the rungs alongside you. It’s pure joy to be able to say, “I read you when.”
That’s hilarious. I think authors should wear a disclaimer at all times: be careful what you say, you may be in my book someday. People are so interesting and fun, it’s no wonder stories are a constant in life. What is the most fun you had in writing Sweet Caroline? Was it my favorite group of retirees – the Breakfast Club Boys? The “Lowcountry” small town setting you created? Was it Caroline’s quirky employees? Her honest friendships?