Wednesday, March 27, 2013

3rd Blogoversary Party ~ Meet Rachelle Rea!

The 3rd Blogoversary Writers Party continues with our second guest: Rachelle Rea!

I knew Rachelle had a lovely, lyrical writing style from following her blog, Inspiring Daring. But I found out how wonderfully that translated to fiction writing when Rachelle won my editing-package giveaway on The Writers Alley back in December.

Editing Rachelle's historical romance book was a treat - and it gave me important experience, helping me to see how long such projects might take and how the process would work when interacting with clients. On top of all that, Rachelle wrote some super sweet blog posts about our experiences ("My Editor and I" and "Polishing the Diamond"), along with my second endorsement!

Want to learn more about Rachelle? Read on!

***

Amber ~ Welcome, Rachelle! Since this is a blogoversary party, please share with us a little bit about the history of your own blog. When did you start blogging? How has your blog changed since you first created it? 

Rachelle ~ I started Inspiring Daring (before it was ID) with a Read-A-Thon. For Haiti. With a pen name. I confess, I had to check to see how long I’ve been blogging! Lo and behold, my own third blogoversary came and went without much fanfare in wintery February. (Amber: Happy belated blogoversary, Rachelle!)

I no longer go by a pen name, and I’ve definitely grown as a writer since that first post. I still write about the places and people that capture my heart, though. It seems I also write a lot about writing. :) And I am a book blogger. I enjoy writing book reviews and hosting giveaways in support of my favorite authors, whose ranks I’d love to one day join. In fact, my favorite labels are book reviews, life, and published.

Amber ~ How would you describe the current “season” of your blog? (Slow? Growing? A harvest of creativity? A dry spell? However you want to describe it!)

Rachelle ~ In a word: promise. Spring crackles at the corners, whipping wind through the hollow spaces that winter has left bare and open to possibility.

My blog recently underwent a redesign, courtesy of the lovely Hannah Beasley. I didn’t know this until just now, but the new look launched about the time my third blogoversary arrived! As far as the season of my blog goes, I’m embracing my role as a book blogger (and thanking God for the opportunity to interact with other avid readers and amazing authors I admire). Also, I’m blessed to be able to write for four other blog-ministries, which I have the pleasure of supporting at my own online haven.

Amber ~ Very cool - all of it! 

These next questions are fun, brief-response questions. Your favorite season?

Rachelle ~ Winter and summer. Sorry! I just couldn’t pick one! And I know, I know, most gals would pick spring and fall, right? I guess I’m just a girl of extremes…

Amber ~ Two quirky dreams (small or big) that you have?

Rachelle ~ To hold my diploma in my hands. To hold my published book in my hands.

Amber ~ Three blogs you love to visit?

Rachelle ~ Go Teen Writers, because it has shaped the writer I have become. Kindred Grace, because it has shaped the young woman I have become. A Holy Experience, because it has shaped my heart.

Amber ~ Four Twitter friends you enjoy following?

Rachelle ~ Lisa T. Bergren, because she’s uber-friendly. {@LisaTBergren} Sarah Elizabeth, because her heart is beautiful. {@OhRestlessBird} Chantel Brankshire, because she makes me smile. {@CBrankshire} Everly Pleasant, because I’m left thinking. {@EverlyPleasant}

Amber ~ Five different themes for a party that would be fun to attend or host?

Rachelle ~
  1. English Tea Party 
  2. Country Girl 
  3. We-Made-It-to-the-End-of-the-Semester 
  4. Italian Elegance 
  5. Doctor Who! 
Amber ~ So much fun to host you, Rachelle! Love your responses. I'm inspired to see all the things God has been doing in and through you, and I'm excited to see where He'll lead you next!

***

Extras

Find Rachelle on:

~ Facebook
~ Twitter
~ Blogger

25 comments:

Julie said...

Ooops, I'm a bit late to the party Amber(busy day yesterday). Happy Blogoversary! I enjoyed both of your interviews so far :) Looking forward to the rest of the week.

Cathy said...

Congrats on your 3rd Blogoversary Amber! I enjoyed reading this interview with Rachelle. I love the setting of her book, Netherlands 1566. My husbands family is from Holland and their history is very interesting! Heading over to her blog to check it out. :)

Melanie said...

Happy Blogoversary, Amber!! :D

Abbi Hart said...

Rachelle-Loved the excerpt! It was so beautifully written and now I want to read the whole story! Also if you are having a Doctor Who party I'm probably going to crash it! :)

Ganise said...

So nice to read this. I follow Rachel on Goodreads. What an excerpt, Rachel! I agree with Amber. I'm looking forward to your book getting published! Soon, hopefully. I've visited your blog before (as a lurker :) I find the design creative and very, very nice!

Thank you for this good post, Amber and Rachel!

Amber Holcomb said...

Julie,

The party's still going strong, so you're not late! ;) Thank you for the kind words - so glad you've enjoyed the interviews! Hope you enjoy the posts yet to come!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Cathy,

Thank you very much! :) That's very cool about your husband's family - it's always interesting learning more about our ancestors! Rachelle chose a very unique setting and era for her story. It certainly intrigued me and informed me! :)

I'm sure you're going to love her blog!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Melanie,

Aww, thank you!! :)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Abbi,

Isn't that a great excerpt? The whole book is beautifully written - I'm sure you're going to really enjoy it when it's published! :)

And LOL about the Doctor Who party! I actually haven't gotten into that show...but I'd definitely crash a Sherlock party! ;)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Ganise,

Rachelle has some great thoughts on books - glad you follow her on Goodreads! :) And that excerpt is very tantalizing, isn't it? I can tell you that the whole story is great! Hope she gets to share it with everyone soon! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Amber

Bluerose said...

Happy Blogoversary, Amber!!

Rachelle, loved the excerpt! I can't wait to read more! :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Bluerose,

Thank you!! And thank you for being such a faithful follower and friend these past 3 years. :) You're the best!

That excerpt certainly begs to be expanded, doesn't it? ;)

~Amber

Rissi said...

What a pleasure to "meet" you like this, Rachelle. :) You are one talented young lady whose heart is evident in even this interview. I loved your sweet words for your fave Twitter follows (Lisa is really nice and I enjoy following her and helping to spread the word about her novels) and how you described favorite blogs. Wonderfully said.

Cannot wait until the day when I see your book on the book store shelves!

Yay for another interview, Amber! Lovin' your great party. CONGRATS on three years!!!

Amber Holcomb said...

Rissi,

I totally agree about Rachelle's heart being evident in her writing, even in an interview! So beautiful and sweet. :)

I'm happy you're enjoying the party so far, and thank you so much for the kind words!! I've got one more guest for tomorrow, and then I'll be sharing a bit about me on Friday, just for fun. ;) And then winners will be announced on Saturday!

~Amber

Hutt-Write Voice said...

Happy Blogoversary, Amber. I hope this was a fun time for you. Many more happy years blooging!

Unknown said...

Sooooo honored to be here, Amber! Thank you for having me! (And for being the best editor a girl could have.)

Cathy, so cool that the setting resonated with you!

Abbi, thank you for your sweet words. And you are welcome to crash any and all Doctor Who festivities. ;)

Thank you, kind Ganise!

(Amber, that "when" makes my heart glow. And I'm going to try Sherlock one of these days, especially now that I've found out Moffat writes both shows!)

Rissi, I'm kinda sorta speechless. ::all smiles::

Looking forward to Friday, Amber!

Faith said...

A lovely interview, my friends!

And Rachelle, I love the snippet from your WIP so rhythmic and beautiful!

Thanks so mcuh Amber for hosting such a lovely party! Blessings!

Amber Holcomb said...

Linda,

Thank you, my friend! :) This has indeed been fun so far - love all my blogging friends! I appreciate your support and kindness! :)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Rachelle,

I'm honored to have you here! And I'm super touched by your comment - loved editing your work! :)

Hope you end up loving Sherlock if/when you give it a try!

And thank you for saying that about Friday!! *blushing* I decided it would be fun to answer some of these interview questions myself. ;)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Faye,

Thank you! That's such a creative and pretty way to describe her writing: "rhythmic and beautiful." Love it!

So glad you could stop by! Blessings to you, as well! :)

~Amber

Tarissa said...

This is a wonderful interview with Rachelle, and I truly enjoyed seeing a peek into her WIP. Thanks for sharing!

Rachel said...

Yeah! Rachelle, you know you're my girl - loved finding our more things about you (seriously, how did you miss your own blogiversary...we need to talk, love. ;) Hehe). Ooh, your WIP...even though our tastes in books differ I always love how you style words so eloquently and prettily and, and... you're amazing. :D {Hugs} I can't wait to see you with those dreams in your hands my darling friend.

Love you bunches!
~Rachel~

Amber Holcomb said...

Tarissa,

It was my pleasure to host her, and I'm glad you enjoyed the interview! Her whole WIP is great! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Rachel,

Such a sweet comment - Rachelle has a great friend and cheerleader in you! I agree that Rachelle's writing is eloquent and pretty. :)

Thanks for visiting!

~Amber

Unknown said...

Thank you, Faye!

Awww, that's so sweet of you to say, Tarissa! :)

Oh, my, *heart melts,* Rachel!