About Rachel M. Yoldi:
Rachel M. Yoldi is an Arizona-based author with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Since childhood, she has dreamed of becoming an author, and that dream has now come to life with the release of her debut novel, Lady Nightmare. This dark fantasy marks the first installment in her epic series, War of the Old Gods. When she's not crafting intricate worlds and characters, Rachel enjoys life with her husband, Gabriel, and their two cats, Steel and Freya. Her writing explores themes of identity, fate and the choices that define us.
What inspires you to write?
Primarily personal experiences, but I have always been a story teller. My mind is constantly running with different stories and scenarios that I have to get out and onto the page.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I have been a SJM stan since Throne of Glass was first published in 2011. Aside from Harry Potter, TOG was what really pushed me to start writing in the first place.
Aside from Sarah J. Maas I am also a fan of Leigh Bardugo, George R. R. Martin, and J. R. R. Tolkien
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m a plantser—somewhere between a plotter and a pantser. I need to outline the big-picture structure of my book before I begin, mapping out the major story beats and breaking things down chapter by chapter. But once I start writing, all bets are off. My characters take the reins, and suddenly we’re flying by the seat of our pants. Half the time, I’m genuinely surprised when the scenes I planned actually make it into the chapter!
My outlining process might seem a little chaotic to some. I already have the entire series living in my head. I know exactly where it’s going and what needs to happen. So when I start a new book, I open a fresh Word document and just start listing everything that happens in chronological order. Then comes the fun part: I print it out, grab my colorful markers, and tear it to shreds. I move events around for better pacing, scribble notes in the margins, and cut anything that no longer fits. By the time I’m done, the page is so marked up it’s nearly illegible.
From there, I transfer my updated outline into Dabble Writer, organizing it scene by scene and chapter by chapter. Once the first draft is complete, I print it out (yes, I’m a pen-and-paper girlie through and through) and dive back in. One of my greatest strengths is tearing the story apart to question everything happening in and around the characters. Honestly, it’s my favorite part of the entire process.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I'm honestly not sure that I do either. I've always felt that I am simply the vessel for my characters to speak through. Do they annoy me sometimes and not follow the script? Yes. But honestly, they're almost always right and it comes out better in the end. 🙂
What advice would you give other writers?
Honestly, just keep writing. Keep reading. Keep practicing. The more you read various different authors and the more you practice in your own writing, the better it will get and the more comfortable you will feel in your own capabilities. With that, don't be afraid to take up space and write the book that YOU want to read. This is your book, not anyone elses. Tell your story. The right people will find it.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Before publishing my own book, I had the unique advantage of spending several years working in the publishing industry. That experience allowed me to peek behind the curtain, do a deep dive into how the industry really works, and make an informed decision about how I wanted to bring my own stories into the world.
I chose to hybrid publish through my own company, Ink & Ivy Press. Hybrid publishing is a true partnership between author and publisher—it combines the creative control and royalty benefits of self-publishing with the professional support of traditional publishing. Thankfully, I’m not doing it alone. My incredible business partner handles much of the business side when it comes to my own books, which allows me to focus on the writing without trying to juggle everything at once.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I definitely see a shift in the publishing industry. More and more people are shifting toward hybrid and indie publishing for various different reasons. I think that the next few years are really going to determine where the traditional publishing industry is going to redirect itself. In the meantime, I am happily supporting the large number of Indie authors that I have come to meet over the last few months.
What genres do you write?: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Rachel M. Yoldi Home Page Link
Link To Rachel M. Yoldi Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Instagram
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
