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Friday, May 24, 2019

INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL J. GOOD ~ Win a copy of her book!

by Mary Ellis


If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say?  

I’m an optimist who never removes her rose-colored glasses.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

I’ve had too many deadlines lately to indulge much in hobbies. Before my writing career took off, I liked to fence, play soccer, swim, sew, crochet, needlepoint, decorate cakes, travel, and of course, read. I hope to get back to some of those once this flurry of work slows down.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.

I spent my early childhood in Africa. I’ve eaten deep-fried water beetles and loved them. I came in 6th place in a national fencing tournament.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I began writing magazine articles for children and later wrote at least a dozen educational books before switching to Amish novels. To date, my novels have been Amish romance, but I’ve done several Amish suspense stories in anthologies. Now I’m looking forward to writing more suspense that will come out in 2020 & 2021.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Usually, I welcome criticism because it helps me improve my craft, but when one of my editors told me two weeks before a tight deadline that she thought I needed to add another character’s point of view to the novel, I could have cried. It meant rewriting the whole book in 2.5 weeks, but she was right. It did improve it.

The best compliments I’ve gotten are when people tell me they’ve cried while reading my books or when they say the story brought them closer to the Lord.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?

I’ve tried a lot of different genres—picture books, middle-grade novels, young adult books, nonfiction—and right now, my agent is sending out proposals for historical fiction and contemporary romance.

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?

I wish I’d known that when an editor sends back a marked-up manuscript, it’s a compliment and means they most likely want to publish your work. I tore the manuscript into tiny shreds and threw it away. That was back before there were computers, so it was my only copy. When I discovered my mistake, I was sick. I might have been published much sooner if I’d taken the advice I received instead of deciding my manuscript was worthless.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Always give your all. So many writers decide to save some of the best bits for the next manuscript, fearing more or better ideas won’t come. Pour it all into the manuscript you’re writing. I’ve often thought this Scripture verse could be applied to writing: “…give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38, ESV). I believe the more generous you are with your ideas, the more God will give you. But that verse also shows me we need to help others on their writing journeys. It doesn’t matter if you’re not very far along, there’s always someone who’s taking their first steps, and you can help them.


Here's a little bit about today's author: 
Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. She grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – the bestselling  Love & Promises, Sisters & Friends, Surprised by Love, Unexpected Amish Blessings, and two books in Hearts of Amish Country – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books. In addition, she has stories in several anthologies, including Summer of Suspense, with 15 awesome mystery and suspense authors. Rachel also juggles freelance editing and illustration careers. She loves reading (of course!), traveling, and spending time with her five children and three grandchildren. Visit her at her website, Facebook, author page, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. You also can sign up for her newsletter here.

Here's a little bit about Plain Everyday Heroes: An anthology by Laura V. Hilton, Tom Nye, and Rachel J. Good. Rachel's story in the anthology is “An Unlikely Hero.” When a stranger arrives and arouses Benuel Miller’s suspicions, the blind shopkeeper doesn’t let his guard down for a minute... until Mari enters the picture. Something sinister simmers under the surface, and Benuel risks his life and hope of love to discover the truth about the stranger.

Please leave Rachel a comment for a chance to win a copy of Plain Everyday Heroes. You must leave your email address. Sorry, US readers only.


47 comments:

  1. Thank you for the interview. I’m looking forward to reading this book. Looks so good! Thanks for the chance to win!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  2. Thank you for sharing this interview and the great book. I would love to read it!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  3. An interesting article, it introduced me to an author I'm not familiar with. I would love tho read her book.
    linlee822 at gmail dot com

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  4. I would love to win a copy of this book, thank you for the chance.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  5. Hi, I enjoyed the interview and deep fried water bugs, wow, !! Your book sounds awesome and like a real page turner. God bless you. thank you so much.

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  6. Fencing! I've always wanted to try that!! Love the interview.

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  7. I enjoyed the interview, growing up in Africa and fencing! Rachel has lead a very interesting life. I really like reading Amish fiction and would really like to read "Plain Everyday Heroes".

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    1. My email address: diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I really love the play on words the title has. Since the Amish are known are the Plain People. Thanks sharing in your interview and I look forward to the book.

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  9. Great interview! Would like to read this story.

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  10. Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy, especially since Rachel is a new-to-me author, and also because of the topic. . . Thank you, again! Lual Krautter "Like" my Western art at www.facebook.com/LualOKrautter My email is: krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet

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  11. Love your books, just something about a simpler time is so appealing.

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  12. Sounds like a great book.
    inspiremichelle@yahoo.com

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  13. Thank you for the chance to win. I love learning of new books from one of my favorite authors. God bless

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  14. Rachel, I love your books! Read them all the time!

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  15. I enjoyed the interview. Looking forward to reading your book!
    se.simpson@yahoo.com

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  16. Thank you for the interesting interview. I enjoyed reading it. Have a blessed weekend.

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  17. I loved the interview. You are very talented and adventurous Rachel. I enjoy reading Amish fiction and would love to read this book.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  18. I love reading all your Amish novels. I read them and then pass them on to my daughter who is in the military and she in turn shares them with her "battle buddies". I also have read them to my 8th grade students and YES they loved being read to just like the little ones
    pvlibrarian@gmail.com

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  19. One of my most favorite things to do is to find new authors who write awesome books. I found Rachel Good earlier this year. Every book I either buy or read never fails to enchant me. Please keep writing these wonderful books. I wish I found you sooner.

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  20. Hey, I learned a lot of new things about you today and thanks for letting us know. I'd love to win this book! prayerladyd@gmail.com

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  21. Thank you for the wonderful interview with Rachel J. Good. Love learning more about authors whose books I really enjoy reading. Rachel sounds like me in always looking for the good in things and willing to taste new things with an open mind. :)

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of "Plain Everyday Heroes". Enjoy reading all three of these authors and can't wait for the opportunity to read this one.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks, Kay Garrett, for dropping by Suspense Sisters and leaving Rachel a comment. You have been selected as our winner of Rachel's book, Plain Everyday Heroes. I will contact you via email to get your mailing info. Again, thanks and congratulations. Mary Ellis

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  22. I so enjoy Rachel's stories. Looking forward to reading this anthology! Here's hoping... My grandson is into fencing. And every time I see Lancaster, I have to chuckle. My daughter, who grew up in Michigan calls it Lan-cast'-er. And her husband, a PA born and bred guy, of course, calls it Lanc'-aster. She asked me how I said it thinking I would side w/ her because I lived most of my life outside of PA. But the formative ones were in PA and of course, I said it the PA way! It's a running joke now between us all. Thanks for the interview and the opportunity to win the book.
    anne at rightler dot com

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  23. I have enjoyed all of your books. Great interview. I look forward to your new releases. arkangel399@yahoo.com

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  24. I enjoyed Rachel's story Thank you so much for the amazing giveaway would love to read this book!SARAHTAYLOR601973atYAHOOdotCOM

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  25. Ooh, sounds awesome! I'd love to be able to read this. My e-mail is becky.tarver1497@gmail.com

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  26. nice interview
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  27. Great interview with one of my favorite amish story authors. Keep the books coming!!

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  28. I enjoyed reading this great interview and learning more about Rachel I really enjoy reading her books. Thanks for this amazing giveaway PBond(dot)Pattti(at)_gmail(dot)com

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  29. Loved the interview and getting to know you a new author to me. I would love the chance to win this book thank you kindly and God bless!jean.dixon@ hotmail.com

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  30. Deep fried beetles??! What??! Lol! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book!
    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  31. I loved learning new things about Rachel. Living in Africa had to be amazing, and I would have never guessed she was into fencing. I already purchased this book from Amazon, but I'm sure there is one I don't own. Thanks for the chance to win. heyjudybat(at)gmail(dot)com

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  32. This book sounds wonderful and I've added it to my "must read list". Thank you for this opportunity to win one of your wonderful Amish novels.

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  34. What an interesting interview! Is it my imagination or are more authors delving into writing suspense? While some love it, I can’t handle much if any suspense...so I hope that Amish fiction continues! It is like sitting in a comfortable chair wrapped up in a favorite quilt!

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  35. Thank you for the interview, I love reading your books. Can't wait for the next one to come out.

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  36. I love to see you have such varied hobbies, I can so relate to that. I have enjoyed all of your books I have read so far.

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  37. Enjoy all Mary Ellis writes and recommends.

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  38. Love your books. I hope to be able to read all you write. So good. Sonja dot Nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  39. Love your books would love to win this one thank you for the chance SARAHTAYLOR601973(at)YAHOO(dot)Com

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  40. Love your books. Thanks for the chance to win. karen_310(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. I enjoyed reading the interview and would love to win a copy of the book. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  42. I enjoyed the interview so much. I laughed at the thought of friend water beetles but I too wear rose colored glasses so maybe they are healthy ��.

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  43. Really enjoyed reading the interview and learning more about you as a person. Love your writing! Thank you!

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  44. Sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing and also for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy! krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet

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