And lucky last in our motley crew of Love Sabrists is Rachael Howlett. Today she tells us a bit more about her writing journey…

So Rach, tell us about yourself in 3 sentences.
Mostly Melburnian, Scandophile, easily obsessed, distracted without difficulty, pop culture enthusiast, sweet treat eater, drinker of wine and good coffee. I’ve spent most my working life either in The Thick Of It or Utopia, which makes escaping into writing so pleasurable. I have serious wanderlust, and love heading overseas whenever I can to explore new cities and places—I saw the word ‘selcouth’ on a Pinspiration board that kinda sums it up—When everything you see and experience is unfamiliar and strange, yet you find it marvellous anyway.

How long have you been writing?
Ever since I can remember, storytelling has always been an important part of my life. I’ve been creating stories in different formats, from entertaining friends with stories written about the daily commute from high school to writing a screenplay instead of a Uni assignment. After living overseas for a few years, it took me a while to reignite the spark. But while working, I studied Professional Writing and Editing part-time which lead me down more of a non-fiction path.

A few years ago I enrolled in a Romance Writing short course at the Writers Victoria with Kate Belle, and it CHANGED EVERYTHING. It helped me refocus on my creative writing, and opened up the world of romance writing for me. And of course, it brought me into the fold of a fantastic community of writers who tell an amazingly diverse range of stories. I joined Romance Writers of Australia, and haven’t looked back.

What genre do you write?
I’m drawn to anything that with a healthy dose of humour which always help me cope with the ups and downs of modern life, so I write contemporary commercial fiction—romantic comedy or Chick lit.

What draws you to this genre?
While the romance is the common element, it’s not the sole focus with romcom. Social issues and modern ailments such as addiction, depression, domestic violence, and illness get treated in a way that makes you cry, hope and laugh as the characters undertake a transformational journey. It’s also really fun!

Where do you get your ideas?
What’s that saying about the best comedy coming from real life? I think that applies to my ideas. Much of what I write is grounded in real life experiences. Whether through eavesdropping on conversations between strangers, or collecting snippets of life experiences from friends, family and fellow travellers, all of it helps my story ideas to germinate.

Tell us about your process, how do you get into a writing mindset?
I’m a visual writer who sees the story and writes their way towards it. So, of course I feel completely justified in spending some time researching lots of things on the internet before I get started.

Usually I’ll shift into writing mode in the evening and write into the night as I’m a-hit-the-snooze-button-at-least-three-times type of morning person. Although lately I’ve also being forcing myself to use my lunchtime at work and have been surprised at how many words I can get down in a short time.

I’m trying to learn to plot. Really I am but I’m definitely an organic writer. However, I understand how plotting will help me… but, ooh, look—what’s that heartbreakingly cute animal video over there!

What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment, I’m polishing a contemporary romantic comedy that follows the homebody heroine on an overseas holiday gone very wrong. With love mishaps, plenty of missteps and an jungle laden with creepy crawlies, the novel also touches on modern threats to endangered species. I’ve also started an early first draft of a romcom story based in Melbourne.

Which writers inspire/influence you?
Like most romance writers, I read widely and I’d definitely say that every book I read inspires me in some way—whether it’s the author’s style, characters, dialogue or theme. Inspired by my recent trip back to Iceland, I’ve just finished a serious Icelandic crime binge, reading some Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Arnaldur Indriðason.

Many years ago at the Melbourne Writers Festival, I saw one of the most inspiring presentations by Matthew Reilly that still resonates with me today. He was unabashedly passionate about writing commercial fiction, and enthusiastic about where his journey was leading.

I got interested in Elizabeth Gaskell after watching the TV adaption of North and South (hello Richard Armitage*), and devoured her novels. I love the way she emphasises the role of women in her stories, details the social tensions of the time, and critiques Victorian attitudes.

Marian Keyes is another big influence. Her romantic comedies make me cry tears of laughter and sadness.

And of course, I’m team Jane Austen.

Why do you write romance?
Jennifer Crusie wrote that “If you don’t have the guts to write emotion, don’t try romance: love is no subject for wimps.”

I completely agree! It’s been a big learning curve for me but it’s also been really creatively satisfying writing romance. I love character-driven stories and the idea that there doesn’t just have to be a happily ever after (HEA), but you can also have a happy for now (HFN). Romance stories are also emotionally satisfying, empowering and above all optimistic—something I think we all need in political times like these.

Most importantly, romance stories are for everybody. The diversity in romance stories never ceases to amaze me, and the sub genres explore as many different ideas, relationships and themes as you can imagine. There’s good and bad to be found across every kind of writing but romance often gets disparaged because it’s mainly women writing women’s stories. And, doing it really successfully because NEWSFLASH, it’s a billion dollar industry.

What else about your writing journey should we know?
My journey has brought so many wonderful people into my life and given me a creative outlet that helps bring me balance. It’s also been an evolving experience that has seen me publish some travel articles, co-publish a literary magazine, review comedy and film, and have a short piece published with Stereo Stories. Now, my writing focus has swung firmly towards writing fiction that I also want to read, and hopefully you will too.

I’m also excited to be a part of the Sheathe Your Love Sabre collection coming out in 2018.

What is your favourite childhood book?
Recently I gave away all my Trixie Belden books (34) that I’d been totally obsessed with reading when I was in Grade 4—each of them bought with my hard-earned pocket money! I remember talking endlessly about the stories with my primary school girl gang of Trixie-obsessed friends, because, Trixie Belden, along with her best friend Honey Wheeler , were talented girl detectives who solved ALL THE MYSTERIES in Sleepyside-on-Hudson, New York that the police couldn’t!

I also remember being given a copy of The Hobbit from my grade 5 teacher which I absolutely loved (sidenote: as a children’s fantasy novel, it really was pushing it to be made into a three part movie; however, I did enjoy the three parts as it meant seeing more Richard Armitage*). I also used the runes in The Hobbit to create a code for the formerly obsessed Trixie-Belden-now-Sweet-Valley-High girl gang.

Like other Sabrists, I can’t go past L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series—I visited Prince Edward Island in October, where I not only wore a too small hat with Anne-style pigtails, but also got teary at Anne and Gilbert The Musical.

What is the best thing about being a Love Sabrist?
It’s been said six times already, but GIF-WARS.

Oh and the amazing love, encouragement and understanding I receive from a bunch of brilliant women embarking on this same rollercoaster writing journey.

Plus, all the laughs that that come from hanging out together. I mean, come on, our name says it all.

 

You can distract Rachael on FB: @RachaelHowlettAuthor and Twitter: @that_rachael

And see how she views the world via Instagram: @worldaccordingtorach

*Richard Armitage (You’re welcome)