Interview with Rachel Elisabeth Judd
Published 2014-09-26.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I have always wanted to work as a creative, writing books and designing games. Of course, there are some pretty stiff barriers to entry for those professions. And at a certain point, I looked around and realized that a lot of new technology made those barriers obsolete. The advent of e-readers and marketplaces like Smashwords meant I didn't have to rely on finding an agent who would then have to find a publisher to sell my book.
I could just start creating.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy tends not to come when I'm at my computer. Instead, it occurs when I'm running.
Some of my best ideas come when I'm running, to the point where if I'm suffering from writer's block or tangling with a particularly nasty problem, I'll strap on my running shoes and go for a mile or so. And almost always, the solution to my problem will come to me. As clear as day, I'll know exactly what to do. And that happiness, of solving a finnicky problem, is my favorite part about writing.
Of course, five-star reviews don't hurt, either!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I'm very much a gamer, as you might be able to tell by the occurrence of larpers in Rain of Ash. More than a few weekends out of the year, you can find me at a nearby campsite, where I'm swinging my foam spear at friends. I actually spent nearly two years running a very large local larp, and it was incredibly creatively rewarding.
I'm also passionate about video games. I like the old school point-and-click adventure games (and new school adventure games), as well as really elaborate RPGs. Vampire: the Masquerade Bloodlines, Ultima VI and Dragon Age: Origins are my favorite games of all time, though I also have some soft spots for LOOM and 7th Guest (some of the first games I ever played!).
What are you working on next?
Surprisingly, not an e-book!
I am, of course, working on the sequel to Rain of Ash (fun fact: Rain of Ash's working title was Oh, No! Vampires! The sequel's working title is Oh, No! More Vampires!). However, I'm also working very hard on Lydia's Story; a digital game intended to go hand in hand with Rain of Ash. Someone should be able to play Lydia's Story without having read Rain of Ash, and vice versa. This just gives me the chance to tell the same story from a new and interesting angle!
Lydia's Story should be out for PC, Android and iOS in 2015.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Rain of Ash Project Fifteen: Book One
by Rachel Elisabeth Judd
(4.00 from 1 review)
When Gwen's sister Lydia mysteriously vanishes, Gwen spends three years wondering where she went. When Lydia does finally return, she brings with her a world Gwen can barely believe. Does Gwen have what it takes to be a vampire hunter? And will she uncover the right person's secrets before it's too late and Gwen loses the people she's closest to?
