Interview with Rachel Rager

RT: Welcome, Rachel. Tell me, when did you first start to think of yourself as a writer?

Rachel: An author? Who? Me? I guess that I still don't see myself as a writer. It's more of a hobby. Yes, I have a book published but I started writing just to see if I could do it. When I accomplished that goal, I tried to publish it, just to see if I could. I finally published By Love or By Sea in April of 2009 with Cedar Fort, Inc., six years after I started writing. But am I a writer? I always thought writing was a job but to me it's my release; my escape. So, I guess I'm a writer but I really just create the stories for me!

RT: I know what you mean. And they say to write what you love, so it's clear you do that. So, how do you write your rough drafts--computer, typewriter, pen…? Have you always done it that way? If not, why did you switch?

Rachel: I always write on the computer. However, I have notebooks everywhere – the car, my purse, my bedroom – I just never know when an idea will strike and if I don't write it down then I forget. I have often written several pages of notes or even entire scenes on paper but then I put them in the computer when I get the chance. It's so much easier on my hands to type.

RT: That sounds familiar! What surprised you about being a writer?

Rachel: How much work was involved after the book was written. I had no idea! I thought authors were so talented to fit everything together just right. And many are. But what I never realized was how much work goes into the editing, publishing and marketing aspects. Just the marketing could take over your life if you let it! But what a fun adventure it has all been!

RT: It is something of an adventure, isn't it? Tell me, what was your inspiration for this book?

Rachel: I was writing my second story and was in the shower one day when I came up with the idea for By Love or By Sea. (By Love or By Sea is the third story I wrote. The first and second are prequels to By Love or By Sea but not published.)I wrote down some notes and when I was done with the one I was working on, I began By Love or By Sea. It wasn't until I was part-way done that I decided to use piracy. Of course, then I sat in front of the computer every day for an entire month trying to figure out a way to solve the problem I'd created! All lot of research came into play!

I guess I should fess up to one little secret. Caleb Newman was inspired by my little brother. Though my brother is quite different than Caleb, he has a similar build and attitude. My brother once dropped a plant in his bedroom, spilling soil all over the carpet while he was talking on the phone to a girl he didn't particularly care for. And, not wanting my mother to hang him for making a mess on the carpet, but not knowing how to get off the phone with the girl, he decided to vacuum up the mess while on the phone! That made me laugh so hard and it just felt like something Caleb would do (if he lived in today's world!) So, there you have it!

RT: That's funny! I love pirates, too! Thanks for being my guest today, Rachel.

I reviewed By Love or By Sea here.

By Love or By Sea can be purchased at:
Seagull Book, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Cedar Fort, Inc.

Rachel's Website and Blog -

By Love or By Sea by Rachel Rager

By Love or By Sea
by
Rachel Rager

From the back cover:

When a mysterious and ragged sailor appears in the seaside town where Alice Lind Frank lives with her grandparents, Alice is shocked to learn that the sailor is her childhood love, Caleb, who she thought was lost at sea. She yearns to trust him again, but what about her plans to marry Clarence Hielott, the wealthy shipyard owner? When Clarence exposes the secrets of Caleb s past, Alice realizes that the boy she once knew is now a man with a dark history. Can she trust Caleb with her heart once again? And what will she do about Clarence? Find out in this thrilling and adventurous love story.

I'm excited to be part of Rachel's blog tour for her novel. I enjoyed reading this sweet love story. I also enjoyed being taken back in time and experiencing the adventure. By Love or By Sea is a fun story filled with interesting characters. From the slimy Clarence to the innocent Alice to the ruggedly handsome Caleb to the feisty Betsy Winters, readers can find an interesting character because Rager does a great job of characterization.

I loved the character of Betsy Winters and learning why she was so rude and mean in the beginning. I thought Rager created a believable character as well as developed a realistic storyline that unraveled at just the right pace. I loved how Alice, the main character, was spunky enough and determined enough to find out more about the town's meanest citizen. Sometimes, when we meet someone that's rude or mean we dismiss them, yet Rager shows through this story how people have their own personal stories and reasons for acting the way that they do, and if we'll simply take the time to care about someone we may discover a diamond in all that rough exterior.

This is an enjoyable book and I recommend it.

Learn more about Rachel Rager here and at her blog.

You can purchase a copy of By Love or By Sea at Amazon or Cedar Fort.

If you leave a comment here at my blog, or any of the other blogs hosting the blog tour, you'll be entered to win your very own copy. The more comments you leave the more chances you'll have to win!

Here is the lineup for the blog tour:

September 28 - Jaimey Grant
September 29 - Kaylee Baldwin
September 30 - Cindy Beck
October 1 - Kim Thompson
October 2 - Alison Palmer
October 3 - JoAnn Arnold
October 5 - Rebecca Talley
October 6 - Anna Arnett
October 7 - Heather Justensen
October 8 - Rachelle Christensen
October 9 - Joyce DiPastena