She is a born and raised Canadian. She lives in Alberta with her husband and three beautiful children.
For as long as she can remember she has always had a thirst for the world beyond. Elements of the sci-fi and fantasy genres have always captivated her and fed her imagination.
Aside from writing, Raquel spends her time crafting, travelling, playing video games, doing yoga, and imagining scenarios that will never happen.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
A. I have Peter Pan syndrome. I asked for Lego for my birthday and don't plan on ever letting go of my inner child. I love her too much.
Q.2 Are we going to read more from you in the near future? Any new project you’re working on?
A. Yes, I am currently working on the third book for my Stars of Oraelia trilogy. The release date isn't set yet, but I am hoping for late 2024/early 2025.
Q.3 What inspired you to write the Stars of Oraelia series?
A. A dream I had about 20 years ago. I have very vivid dreams and nightmares. This one in particular had been very repetitive around the time I was 13 years old. I started writing the book then but never got very far with it.
For as long as she can remember she has always had a thirst for the world beyond. Elements of the sci-fi and fantasy genres have always captivated her and fed her imagination.
Aside from writing, Raquel spends her time crafting, travelling, playing video games, doing yoga, and imagining scenarios that will never happen.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
A. I have Peter Pan syndrome. I asked for Lego for my birthday and don't plan on ever letting go of my inner child. I love her too much.
Q.2 Are we going to read more from you in the near future? Any new project you’re working on?
A. Yes, I am currently working on the third book for my Stars of Oraelia trilogy. The release date isn't set yet, but I am hoping for late 2024/early 2025.
Q.3 What inspired you to write the Stars of Oraelia series?
A. A dream I had about 20 years ago. I have very vivid dreams and nightmares. This one in particular had been very repetitive around the time I was 13 years old. I started writing the book then but never got very far with it.
I think I lacked the maturity and discipline at the time and then life happened. Finally having the ability and time to get it out of my head and on paper has been quite cathartic.
Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. I don't find any issues writing to the opposite gender. I don't think gender plays a huge role in personality. People put too much importance on gender roles in society. I truly don't think they matter all that much. People are just people.
Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. I haven't thought too much about it to be honest. I suppose I start with a setting and a main character. After giving both a back story the rest just falls into place.
Q.6 Do you try to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
A. Neither. When I write it's for me. It's my form of processing and working things out. Most of the things I write will never be published because the ideas are too intimate and private. I probably would have never published anything if my husband hadn't encouraged me.
Q.7 How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A. My first book was a poem, so that took ten minutes haha. My novels take about 4 months and then a month or so of editing and formatting.
Q.8 What’s your writing schedule while working?
A. I like to start around 9am and I try to write every day. Even if it's only 100 words, it's more than I had yesterday. But there are some days where I will write all day and well into the next morning. I have a loose schedule rather than a set schedule so that I can write when the mood strikes rather than forcing myself to write something that isn't whole-hearted.
Q.9 What differentiates Fantasy from Sci-Fi?
A. This feels like a trick question. Everyone has their own opinions and the truth is they overlap a lot so It can be hard to differentiate the two at times.
Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. I don't find any issues writing to the opposite gender. I don't think gender plays a huge role in personality. People put too much importance on gender roles in society. I truly don't think they matter all that much. People are just people.
Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. I haven't thought too much about it to be honest. I suppose I start with a setting and a main character. After giving both a back story the rest just falls into place.
Q.6 Do you try to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
A. Neither. When I write it's for me. It's my form of processing and working things out. Most of the things I write will never be published because the ideas are too intimate and private. I probably would have never published anything if my husband hadn't encouraged me.
Q.7 How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A. My first book was a poem, so that took ten minutes haha. My novels take about 4 months and then a month or so of editing and formatting.
Q.8 What’s your writing schedule while working?
A. I like to start around 9am and I try to write every day. Even if it's only 100 words, it's more than I had yesterday. But there are some days where I will write all day and well into the next morning. I have a loose schedule rather than a set schedule so that I can write when the mood strikes rather than forcing myself to write something that isn't whole-hearted.
Q.9 What differentiates Fantasy from Sci-Fi?
A. This feels like a trick question. Everyone has their own opinions and the truth is they overlap a lot so It can be hard to differentiate the two at times.
In my opinion, sci-fi will always feel futuristic and void. Fantasy, however, casts the setting into a lively medieval or old-world structure. On that note, some books, like mine, can achieve both which can oftentimes further blur the line between the two genres.
Q.10 Among all the supporting characters in your books, who is dear to you and why?
A. Bruno has really grown on me. When I first wrote him in he wasn't meant to have much of a role at all but he had other plans and made himself very integral to the story. He is a protector and a big brother. As an older sibling myself, I hold a lot of the same attributes and see a lot of myself in him.
Q.11 It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
A. I want to say that I am trying hard to get exposure and reach readers, but the truth is I'm not doing very much. I am not very active on social media and my budget is extremely limited so my options have been mostly local.
That being said, I have done a handful of book signings which have all been quite successful. I was featured in the paper and had a segment on the news. I also made a few guest appearances for book clubs and libraries.
Until the trilogy is complete I won't be doing much more to advertise it. Sharing the story can come later.
Q.12 If you could be a member of any fantasy race, who it be and why?
A. Fae. They get all the abilities of elves but with wings and usually magic. Being a dragon would be a close second though.
Q.10 Among all the supporting characters in your books, who is dear to you and why?
A. Bruno has really grown on me. When I first wrote him in he wasn't meant to have much of a role at all but he had other plans and made himself very integral to the story. He is a protector and a big brother. As an older sibling myself, I hold a lot of the same attributes and see a lot of myself in him.
Q.11 It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
A. I want to say that I am trying hard to get exposure and reach readers, but the truth is I'm not doing very much. I am not very active on social media and my budget is extremely limited so my options have been mostly local.
That being said, I have done a handful of book signings which have all been quite successful. I was featured in the paper and had a segment on the news. I also made a few guest appearances for book clubs and libraries.
Until the trilogy is complete I won't be doing much more to advertise it. Sharing the story can come later.
Q.12 If you could be a member of any fantasy race, who it be and why?
A. Fae. They get all the abilities of elves but with wings and usually magic. Being a dragon would be a close second though.
Q.13 How many books have you written? Which one is your favourite?
A. Three published. I don't know how many I have unpublished. So far Stars of Oraelia is my favorite. The world and characters feel so real and have become somewhat of an escape. I have poured so much of myself into it that it will always have a hold on me.
Q.14 Who designed your book covers? How do you select them?
A. My children’s book was supplied through the publishing company I used. My first edition cover for Stars of Oraelia was designed by a company based out of Ireland that I found through Etsy.
I wasn't completely happy with the quality so when I released the second edition I decided to go with new covers. I found a company through Etsy based out of New Zealand, the owner was an absolute joy to work with and produced a beautiful new cover design for me.
Q.15 What advice do you give to aspiring writers who want to explore themes related to sci-fi plus fantasy in their writing?
A. Don't be afraid to break the rules. Following genre guidelines might make readers comfortable with the flow and outline but don't let that decide the fate of your plot. Let the characters tell the story.
Q.16 How do you select the names of your characters?
A. I pick a letter, any letter, and then make up random words until it feels right.
Q.17 What do you want readers to take away from your books?
A. I would love for them to find some semblance of an escape from the harsh reality of everyday life.
Q.18 What was the hardest part of writing this series?
A. I have a lot of characters, which all serve a purpose, but I find it hard to give them all enough spotlight to really develop them deeper while still keeping the plot moving forward.
Q.19 What is your favourite book from other authors and why?
A. It really depends on my mood. I read every genre so I can't narrow it down at all but I do tend to read indie authors over traditionally published ones. Indie authors have the freedom to tell a story the way it's meant to be told rather than how the publisher deems fit for sale.
Q.20 Share the experience of your writing journey so far.
A. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I have always been a creative person and writing just came as a natural outlet for me. Poetry was my first love. I had a journal full of little poems and intro storylines.
Q.15 What advice do you give to aspiring writers who want to explore themes related to sci-fi plus fantasy in their writing?
A. Don't be afraid to break the rules. Following genre guidelines might make readers comfortable with the flow and outline but don't let that decide the fate of your plot. Let the characters tell the story.
Q.16 How do you select the names of your characters?
A. I pick a letter, any letter, and then make up random words until it feels right.
Q.17 What do you want readers to take away from your books?
A. I would love for them to find some semblance of an escape from the harsh reality of everyday life.
Q.18 What was the hardest part of writing this series?
A. I have a lot of characters, which all serve a purpose, but I find it hard to give them all enough spotlight to really develop them deeper while still keeping the plot moving forward.
Q.19 What is your favourite book from other authors and why?
A. It really depends on my mood. I read every genre so I can't narrow it down at all but I do tend to read indie authors over traditionally published ones. Indie authors have the freedom to tell a story the way it's meant to be told rather than how the publisher deems fit for sale.
Q.20 Share the experience of your writing journey so far.
A. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I have always been a creative person and writing just came as a natural outlet for me. Poetry was my first love. I had a journal full of little poems and intro storylines.
Around the time I was twelve, I decided that I wanted to write screenplays or video game scripts. I had made an entire map and story outline for a video game around that age and at the time thought it would be something amazing one day. It was awful haha. But I never gave up on using writing as a form of processing.
During COVID, my postpartum depression hit hard and I started to spiral. I wrote my first book as a love letter to myself. A reminder that I can get through this and it will be worth it.
Since publishing that book I realized how rewarding it was to see my ideas come to fruition. To hold them and share them with others. The journey may have hit some unexpected turns but it was been a truly remarkable experience thus far.
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