I’ve Always Loved Women By Rhani D’Chae

3/16/2019

Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Rhani D’Chae, introduces us to her short story I’ve Always Loved Women:
"Danny's life is changed when he begins a relationship with Kat, a woman trapped in an unhealthy marriage. When she decides to give her marriage another try, Danny realizes that his mission in life is to save women like her from the men who abuse them."

Cover on Amazon

Cover on Goodreads

This is a quick read when you have a short amount of time. It’s romantic, all about a guy who loves women. It’s horror, all the women he loves are abused in their current or previous relationships. Their pain and suffering causes him much sorrow and grief. His solution to protect them from the abuser is unorthodox and unacceptable in normal society.
I love Rhani’s writing, she has mastered wordsmithing and scene building. Her stories really draw me in and this is no exception.
I am not a fan of horror, some will take me to task for classifying it as such. Anytime human life is extinguished it is a horrific act in my mind. Yet, I loved this story, a testament to the author’s skill.
I give “I’ve Always Loved Women” a score of 5 stars, so well written and no spelling errors! Congratulations, Rhani!

You can buy the book:
https://smile.amazon.com/Always-Loved-Women-Rhani-DChae-ebook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Loved-Women-Rhani-DChae-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40698180-i-ve-always-loved-women

You can follow Rhani D’Chae:
https://twitter.com/rhanidchae
https://rhanidchae.wordpress.com/

Tags: romance, horror, 30-minute stories, short stories

Other reviews of books by this author:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/shadow-of-the-drill-by-rhani-dchae
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/one-dyke-cozy-by-rhani-dchae

Copyright © 2019 by Mark Schultz, except for the author’s introduction

76 Comments

Rhani D'Chae link

3/16/2019 02:29:44 pm

Thanks so much for the awesome review, Mark. I am SO glad you liked the story. 😃

Mark

3/16/2019 04:04:12 pm

You are most welcome, Rhani. I enjoyed the story even with the creepy factor, some very good writing.
Thank you for joining me in this interview. The last time we chatted in a review it was for your book "One Dyke Cozy" which I enjoyed quite a bit also. The links to the reviews of your other two books are just above, at the bottom of the review of this book.
For new visitors, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Rhani D'Chae

3/16/2019 06:54:01 pm

I'm not sure what people would find interesting. Lol I live in Tacoma, Washington, part of the beautiful Pacific northwest.
I like to set my writing projects around here, because It's familiar to me. Zombie Dawn takes place on my street, and I've Always Loved Women is set fairly close to my block, as well. Readers who live in the Tacoma area will probably recognize some of the landmarks.
I have lost the majority of my sight to various vision issues, which does make writing a little more frustrating than it used to be.
I deal with this maturely, as befits one of my incredibly advanced years. Loosely translated: I drink, I swear, and I throw things. On a really bad day, I open up a writing project and start killing characters. 😄

Mark

3/16/2019 07:03:57 pm

You have an inimitable talent at making me laugh! I am glad you are so mature in your actions!
I have reviewed two other of your books previously. Would you please tell our friends a little about those books and any others you have written.

Rhani D'Chae

3/16/2019 08:08:39 pm

Oh, I will be most happy to do that! I love talking book, especially my own. Lol
Shadow of the Drill is my first published novel, centering on an unrepentant enforcer and the violent life that he leads. This book is not for young or easily offended readers as it contains violence, profanity and sexual situations.
#Shadow brings Decker, the Drill, face to face with the men whose random act of violence had changed his life.
#Cozy tells the story of Gabby and Shy, two girls from very different worlds who form a friendship that lasts from childhood until Shy's untimely death.
The book spans the years between their first meeting and final goodbye. It touches on amusing adventures like prom, as well as the more serious issue of Shy's gayness in a time before being gay was "acceptable."
Zombie Dawn is a short story about the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. At some point, it will probably be expanded into a full length novel.
A Perilous Thirst is a unique little short story, set in the early days of the AIDS crisis. The main character is a gay vampire who is concerned about the possibility of drinking tainted blood.
This story takes place at the 24th Street tavern, a Tacoma show bar that closed it's doors 20 or so years ago. It's told in 1st person, and the only voice the reader hears is that of the vampire. It's very different from anything else I've written, and it was one of my favorite books to write.
Yes, I'm chatty, and when I start talking book it's hard to stop. Hopefully, I didn't put anyone to sleep, and if I did, I apologize. 😃

Mark

3/16/2019 08:21:53 pm

There are no sleepers here. That was perfect! Thank you.
New questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

Rhani D'Chae

3/16/2019 09:23:50 pm

Full or part-time... That's a tough question to answer. I guess it depends on your point of view. I'm not one of those who has to fit writing around a work or class schedule, so in that sense I'm full time. But I'm not one who spends 6-8 hours a day in front of my laptop, either. At least, not when it's on. So I don't know what the answer is. Not really.
Writing is exhausting, for me. I put so much emotion, so much intensity into my work that it drains me.
I do work through some of the negativity in my life by writing. Aside from the frustration resulting from my vision loss, I have other health issues that are a constant source of pain. So, when things get rough, I open a WIP and start giving people a VERY bad day! 😁
I'm a firm believer in "This too shall pass," and writing often distracts me until whatever "this" is does exactly that.
Sometimes, I share my health issues with my characters. We're supossed to write what we know, yes?
I'll give a little spoiler here, for those who have read #Shadow: keep an eye in Rudy. Lol

Mark

3/17/2019 07:50:53 am

You sound like a full time writer to me. You have the opportunity to write when you want to. Even if you are working through writer's block or plotting a new WIP, you are writing. Just saying.
A lot of characters do have a bad day in your books.
You call that a spoiler? That barely classifies as a hint in my book. ;-) I can hardly wait for the sequel of "Shadow of the Drill" to come out. That ending was shocking!
New questions.
What inspired you to write this book? You mentioned to me, off stage, that you felt it was a character study. Do you think you will ever expand on the story?

Rhani D'Chae

3/17/2019 11:31:36 am

Okay, maybe it wasn't much of a spoiler. Lol But the main characters in a series often skate through without enduring any of the damage that they would have received if the situation was real. They certainly don't die. I follow The Walking Dead line of thought - NO one is guaranteed survival. Certainly not anyone in the Drill series.
The line, "That didn't change when I began killing them." came to me out of the blue, as ideas and plotlines often do. The first paragraph quickly followed, giving me both the title and the basic skeleton of the story.
I guess I consider it a character study because it follows Danny's path from average good guy to well-intentioned serial killer. It may be an uncommon process, but I don't think it's overly unrealistic.
#Women was written for a short story contest and there was a word count limit. I don't think I will ever make it into a full length novel but I will probably go back in at some point and expand the story that currently exists.

Mark

3/17/2019 02:07:56 pm

I watched an episode or two in the first season of TWD. That was it. So I didn't know about that mantra. I do recall a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth at one time or another, when a major character bit the dust. There are a lot TWD fans on twitter.
I could see how interesting the character of Danny could become in an expanded version of IALW. The development of his psyche and perspective would make an interesting story in a longer format.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book?
Why do you have two different covers?

Rhani D'Chae

3/17/2019 05:49:55 pm

The Walking Dead is one of my favorite shows. I know it doesn't seem like someone with my sweet and innocent little personality would be into all of the ripping and chewing that happens on TWD, but I am a HUGE fan of their #zombieverse. 😄
As for the covers of IALW, the Goodreads cover was the original. I found the graphic and then let Amazon cover creator make it into a cover. Let's be real - I'm a disabled indie author, so I've pretty much forgotten what money looks like. The first cover was free so I thought it would work as well as any. To me, that title over a picture of a dead woman on a slab was intriguing. But a lot of people in my circle didn't like it.
The Amazon cover was made by my brilliant cover-creating friend, Ellie Douglas, @authorellie on Twitter. I like it much better than the first one.
The reason there are still 2 covers is because I can't figure out how to make Goodreads change the one they have. They still have the original cover for #Shadow for the same reason.

Mark

3/17/2019 06:06:18 pm

I could say I am really shocked to hear that. After reading One Dyke Cozy my consternation would have been unchanged. However, I have already read Shadow of the Drill, so I know you much better in your glorious, multi-faceted personality. So, I will not say that I am shocked, not even surprised. ;-)
Ellie did a nice job on that cover. Thanks for giving her the shout out. I like to support the people who write and support authors as I do.
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests? If not, have you thought about doing so in the future?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Rhani D'Chae

3/17/2019 06:37:29 pm

Ellie does AMAZING work! Anyone looking for a cover should contact her.
I have entered a couple of contests sponsored by Rave Reviews Book Club. I have placed a few times but have not won any of them. I would like to enter more contests, but I'm not sure of how to find them. I have a very hard time navigating websites so I am limited in how much I can do on the Web.

Mark

3/18/2019 08:29:08 am

That's a great testimonial for Ellie!
You are a member of the Rave Reviews Book Club. I know several people who are members also. How do you benefit from being a member?
New questions.
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?
You self-published this book. Did you do the same for all your books? Why or why not?

Rhani D'Chae

3/18/2019 10:45:13 am

#RRBC is a group of AMAZING people who help each other with all steps of the writing/publishing process. They also read/review/promote each other's books. I can't begin to list the benefits that I have received since becoming a member. I think that anyone who is either a reader or an author should join this group!
What infuriates me the most in this game are the people/companies that sell "marketing services" that do nothing. I have been sucked into a few of these, spending money I really didn't have because the program sounded SO good. These companies take advantage of the fact that most indie authors don't know much about marketing. Of course we want to sell books, but we lack the knowledge to make it happen on our own. The worst one that I have encountered is a group called Publishing Push. I spent a few hundred dollars on their program and received ONE blog post and NO sales. Not one. They talk a great deal about their huge army of bloggers but I kept getting told that there were no bloggers intrested in the type of book (Shadow) that I had hired them to push. And no, I didn't get any kind of refund.
I had originally self published #Shadow, in paperback. By that, I mean I bought Pagemaker, formatted & printed the pages, then cut and assembled 1000 books. I got a friend to pose for the cover, then drove it all up to Seattle to be perfect bound. I hated almost every minute of that process! Lol
When I realized the 1st edition was total crap and rewrote it, I decided to send it to a publishing company. I went to Xlibras, not knowing that it was part of the Author House/Author Solutions racket. I spent almost $2000 for a pretty book that I could have done for almost nothing, had I known how. But I didn't, so I was nicely taken advantage of. Xlibris did nothing to market the book, and took the vast majority of profit from any books that were sold. I stayed with them for a year and then began publishing my books on my own. I have been approached by some indie publishing companies and have looked into others, but none of them do much in the way of marketing, aside from listing books on their website and posting a few tweets. I have no problem whatsoever splitting profits with a publisher but they need to do more to sell my book then the things that I can do myself. 😀

Mark

3/18/2019 02:20:13 pm

Thank you for shedding a little light on the RRBC!
That is awful how they took advantage of you! You went to a lot of work to put out 1000 paperback copies of "Shadow of the Drill". What did you do with all those copies of Shadow?
You make a good point about marketing. I think that's the hardest thing for authors. Most, if not all authors are pretty solitary creatures, or at the very least writing a book is quite a solitary endeavor to begin with. So, hitting the pavement and pounding the streets is a big flip of the mind, to become the gregarious salesman or saleswoman.
Now, with shrinking profit margins, legitimate publishers are taking fewer chances on new authors. Many of the publishers expect an author to already have a built-up fan base, a mailing list of at least a thousand or two. They see this as mostly guaranteed sales. If they cannot make a profit on every book they won't be around long.
New questions.
Do you have a favorite book by another author or authors?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Rhani D'Chae link

3/18/2019 05:04:32 pm

#RRBC is definitely the most beneficial group that I have connected with since becoming an author. No matter what my question or issue, there is someone in the group who has been there or done that and is willing to help.
I had sold a little over three hundred copies of the 1st edition of Shadow before realizing it was crap. I immediately stopped selling the book and rewrote it, but those copies are still floating around out there. I see them on Amazon or eBay sometimes, and I always cringe when they go by. Lol, I suppose, if I am ever well known enough, that they might become collectable. They're not just 1st additions, they are 1st editions that were assembled by hand in my living room. 😄
I read a lot of books as a child, but didn't really have a favorite. I pretty much loved them all.
As an adult, some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and Paul Monet.
Since joining #RRBC, I have come across some absolutely phenomenal indie authors! These people are amazing and I can't sing their praises loudly enough! Beem Weeks (Jazz Baby), Bette Stevens (Dog Bone Soup) Suzanna Burke (Acts Beyond Redemption), and Jan Sikes (Flowers and Stone), to name just a few of them.
Jan was a guest on my little podcast a few weeks ago, and I can't tell you how riveted I was to what she had to say. Her series is a fictionalized telling of her marriage to county musician Rick Sikes, and it's a must-read.
As for my own books, they are all my favorites fore one reason or another. Lol But, gun to my head, I would probably say Shadow. Because a lot of it was drawn from my own life, I have a special bond with that book, and with the series as a whole.

Mark

3/18/2019 05:14:10 pm

The RRBC has been very instrumental in your writing career. That is really cool.
I have to agree with you about phenomenal indie authors. I have not read any of those books or authors, but I am amazed at the depth of talent out there.
I suspected that Shadow was your favorite. But, I am not surprised that they are all your favorites, for different reasons.
New questions.
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Danny is both protagonist and antagonist in the book. What is one thing about him you hate and one thing about him you love?

Rhani D'Chae

3/18/2019 05:47:39 pm

I think it's important to tap into a character's emotions because if the author can't feel them then I think it's very hard for the reader to feel them. I have read several books that just seemed flat to me because there was a depth of emotion that was definitely missing.
I love books that suck me in, hold on tight, and don't let go until the last page. For that to happen, I have to feel what the characters feel. I have to understand what motivates them to do what they do, even if I don't agree or can't relate. For me, understanding is easier when the character's emotions are a big part of the picture.
Your question about Danny is a poser. Lol I love that he wants to be the proverbial knight in shining armor for these women. I would love to have someone in my life whose main goal was to make my life more beautiful, and I think most women would agree. I also enjoy his creativity when it comes to preventing his women from going back to abusive men. I don't agree with it, of course, bet he gets an A for effort. I also like that he honestly wants to avoid causing any more pain to these women, even as he's killing them. In Ellie's original cover, the man is holding a machete in his other hand. I asked her to please remove it because Danny would never kill with that type of weapon. It would bring fear and quite a bit of pain to his victims, which is exactly what he wants to avoid.
I don't think there's anything that I hate about Danny. I think a lot of people have felt at least a passing desire to kill someone who has hurt someone that they love. They just don't go there.For whatever reason, Danny has chosen to cross that line, and it works for him. Danny may be a fictional character, but I'm sure he has actually existed at one time or another, and probably will again.

Mark

3/18/2019 06:11:47 pm

Some books got it, and some books don't. That ability to grab you and carry you along, so you can't bear to to put the book down. I have had more reading marathons than I care to count.
Danny has good intentions, but his actions are reprehensible for normal people. I guess that is a big part of insanity. He is a sweet guy. New questions.
The big issue in the book, besides murder, is physical and emotional abuse. As Danny observed, the women couldn't stay away from their abuser. You wrote quite knowledgeably about abuse. Have you ever been through similar abuse? If the statistics are to be believed, a lot of women have been abused.
How were you able to break away from the abusive situation?

Rhani D'Chae

3/18/2019 10:05:54 pm

They say to write what you know. Lol
I seem to draw emotional abusers to me like fleas to a cat. The worst was David, my alcoholic, lying, lazy sack of crap 2nd ex-husband who couldn't keep a job to save his life and put his hands on me whenever he got drunk. Which was often. The slightest thing would set him off, and it would get ugly.
At first, I just took it. Like many abuse victims, I believed it was my fault. Had I done this or not done that, he wouldn't be angry.
But, after about four years, I started getting tired of it and began putting up my hands to protect myself.
A year or so after that, I started fighting back. Nothing major, just some slapping and arm punching, but I realized that I didn't have to be his punching bag.
Why didn't I leave? Because he threatened to tell my family that I was a prostitute, to tell CPS that I abused my son, and to kill our animals in front of me and my son. I felt I had no choice but to stay.
By the time we'd reached our seventh and final year, I was done waiting for him to come after me. He'd beaten out the love I'd had for him, so there was no reason to be nice.
I started hitting first, for such major offenses as looking at me, talking mean to me and breathing my air.
At that point, we lived on five wooded acres, with no close neighbors.
His abuse continued, and so did my refusal to accept it. I have a very clear memory of chasing him around the outside of our house with a butcher knife in my hand. I honestly don't know what would have happened if I'd caught him, but it's a safe bet I would have ended up in jail.
I finally realized that I was spending way too much time planning how to kill him and hide the body. I realized then that things had to change.
Fortunately, he was tired of sleeping with one eye open and checking the level of drain cleaner in the bottle before eating his food. He left me for another woman, and I beat feet for the courthouse to hit him with a restraining order.
I wish I could say that David was the last of my abusive partners, but he wasn't. I needed to believe in myself, find my own strength, and it took a few more years, a few more bad experiences, before I was able to do that.
Wow, I guess I had a thing or two to say on this subject. Lol I have no desire to be in a situation like those again, but I'm who I am today because of them.

Mark

3/19/2019 07:54:21 am

He certainly didn't deserve you in the first place. Grizz and I are glad you found your strength and your voice. Your story certainly resembles that of many other women. Thank you for sharing so candidly.
New questions.
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?
Your books don't have a well-defined protagonist and antagonist, so this next question might be hard to answer. Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist?

Rhani D'Chae

3/19/2019 10:59:04 am

I have often put people, or variations of people, that I know into my books. So far, no one I've used has picked up on it. There is a character making his 1st appearance in Winter of the Drill who is based on a friend of mine, at his request. It will be interesting to see if he can pick himself out of this new cast of characters.
I much prefer writing the bad guys, even if they're not all that bad. "Nice" tends to bore me, so I avoid it as much as possible. Sometimes there's no way around it, but it's definitely not my first choice. 😄

Mark

3/19/2019 01:25:50 pm

I think a lot of writers do that whether they will admit it or not. I can imagine it's easier to use a composite of two or more people for a character, than to create a new character.
Recently, I have been informed that I am going to be a character in a story. I won't have to guess, she told me the character's name. It should be fun.
I am not surprised that you enjoy writing the bad guys and gals. I have heard that many actors relish playing the antagonist. They say it's so much fun to be bad. Is there a chance your nice characters are too nice? None are wholly good or bad, we are all a mixture to one degree or another. Especially in desperate circumstances.
New questions.
Did your writing process change much from your early books to your current book or did it stay the same?
I know you are dealing with very limited vision, how long has that been the case?
What is your writing routine now, when you sit down to write?

Rhani D'Chae

3/19/2019 01:58:53 pm

It's so fun that you will be a character in a book! You will have to tell me the name of the book so I can read it and try to figure out which one is you.
I don't think any of my characters are too nice. If you think one is, please let me know so I can have them run out and slap a baby or something. 😄
I don't really have a writing process to speak of. I just sit down and try to make the words come. Sometimes they leap onto the page willingly, and sometimes I have to drag them out, kicking and screaming. I never know how it's going to go.
My vision started to go in about 2005. I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and started getting laser work to control the bleeding in my eyes.
Since then, I have been diagnosed with Glaucoma, Ischemia and macular degeneration. I have been getting shots in my eyes for the last several years and though they haven't improved my vision any, I do believe they've helped keep the vision that I do have from getting too much worse.
These days, I write whenever the spirit moves me. Sometimes that's in the morning, sometimes not until early evening. I am often up most of the night, if I'm on a roll. It kind of depends on what I'm writing and whether or not my characters are cooperating.

Mark

3/19/2019 06:16:55 pm

Veronica Cline Barton is writing her fourth book in the "My Almost Royal American Cousin" series, I think it's going to be called Seasons of Change. It's a delightful cozy murder, well written and pretty funny at times. I have reviewed all three of the books in the series.
If I spot one of those weirdos, I will definitely point them out to you.
At this point, it sounds like your vision is pretty stable. My wife developed cataracts, I think, she was able to have laser surgery and they were able to insert a new lens to counteract her astigmatism. Now, she only needs reading glasses from the dollar store, those darn things are scattered all over the house.
I have heard similar stories from other authors about how recalcitrant the muse can be.
New questions.
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?
What else are you writing these days?

Rhani D'Chae

3/19/2019 09:26:01 pm

I had cataracts also, and I was thrilled to hear it! I thought I was going blind, so cataracts were very welcome. Lol
I want readers to see IALW as a different take on the serial killer plotline. I'd like them to remember that Danny's situation with Kat, what pushes him over the edge, could actually happen. To me, the fact that Danny is such a normal guy, who genuinely loves these women UNTIL his button gets pushed is what makes him scary. I want them to realize that anyone they meet could be Danny, and take that realization with them.
Sadly, I am still working on Winter of the Drill. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble, but it may be because I have to kill off a character from #Shadow. It's not an easy death and I do feel badly about it.
I'm also working on a short story that I'm hoping will bring a Stephen King level creep factor to the table. 😁

Mark

3/20/2019 10:23:42 am

That is a really good point about Danny. He was pushed over the edge by the abuse Kat experienced at the hands of her husband. It could happen to anyone. Abuse makes my blood boil, I have to limit how much I think about a person being abused, because I care. That's a very scary thing to me.
I hope you can solve that issue with Winter, because I am looking forward to it after reading "Shadow of the Drill". Maybe if you write a completely ludicrous death the path will become clear.
New questions.
Are you a plotter, a pantster, or a hybrid?
How do you keep track of all the characters and events in your books?

Rhani D'Chae

3/20/2019 11:32:15 am

I guess I'm a hybrid. I do plot the basic bones of a story, but from that point on I'm a total pantser. I turn my characters loo se and just hang on! 😄
As for keeping track, I don't have a method for that. When I 1st started writing, I would make a list of the people in a story and their personal characteristics. Now, not so much.
I do keep track of some things, sort of. Rudy Valdez, from the Drill series, has a collection of guns. I do have a list of those guns and which ones have been mentioned in the books so far, but I don't know where it is. Lol
Physical characteristics are easy for me to remember. When I write someone, they are very real to me, and I know everything about them. Top to bottom, I can see and hear them as clearly as if they were standing next to me. If a character is or becomes fuzzy, then something's wrong and I will go back and strengthen him/her until the fuzziness has cleared.
It's not a perfect system, by any means, but it seems to work for me.

Mark

3/20/2019 12:14:01 pm

If it works for you, then that is what matters! People who insist there is only one way to write a book are not to be trusted. They are usually selling a course or a method. Now, I do think it's a good idea to try different methods, especially if you are a beginning writer. But that is just to accelerate the process of finding out what works for you. I do believe it's wise to know more than one way to perform your craft. You can never have too many tools in the tool box.
I know some writers who draw pictures of what the characters look like, others find photos of people who look like what they imagined.
New questions.
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?

Rhani D'Chae

3/20/2019 07:51:34 pm

I honestly don't know that any of those things are any easier to write than the others. I enjoy writing all of them, but I especially like narration because it is often what makes a character real to the reader. It gives an in depth look at what motivates the character, what he is thinking and feeling. Things that he might not express verbally.
I think writing about taste and flavor is hardest for me. I'm a basic eater, very meat and potatoes. I don't eat spicy food or food with a lot of seasoning. I don't eat vegetables or food that has been all fancified up. If I order salmon, I want it baked with a little lemon and pepper. I don't want it coated or mixed with something like pasta, that is basically and entree on its own. I certainly don't want it stuffed with other
kinds of seafood, even though I may like them, individually.
Because of this, I lack the ability to adequately describe the flavors of many kinds of food. If my characters go to a French restaurant, I could Google the menu and figure out what they would order, but I would be completely unable to describe the taste of the meal.
The others are all fairly easy to write. I don't think I have a favorite. 😃

Mark

3/20/2019 08:05:46 pm

Narration is very powerful, no doubt, but there are different types of narrators, aren't there? I have recently heard of the untrustworthy narrator. Are you familiar with that?
In your book, "A Perilous Thirst" you did something different with the narrator. The narrator became the main character in the story which was told in First Person POV, if I understood it correctly.
I love to eat spicy food, I am a very adventurous eater. I love trying new things. I can imagine that tastes and smells might be difficult to describe, if you haven't personally experienced them.
New questions.
Have you ever done any theater, written a play or any screenwriting?
Have you ever thought of adding music to your books, like what the characters listen to or they went to a concert as a plot point?

Rhani D'Chae

3/20/2019 08:23:27 pm

I have never heard of the untrustworthy narrator. It brings an image to my mind but I don't know if what I am thinking about is accurate.
A Perilous Thirst is first person, butit's such a different little story that it's hard for me to pin down. This may sound strange, but I don't consider the vampire a narrator. To me, there isn't any narration in that story. Is dialog considered narration? I have never seen it that way, but I could easily be wrong. 😄

Rhani D'Chae

3/20/2019 08:30:53 pm

I'm sorry, my stylist got away from me and I sent that before I was ready.
I did do a little theater when I was in school, but nothing professional. I don't have the mind set to write a screenplay. I wish I did because I think a couple of my books would make wonderful films.
I have put music into a couple of my books, and it definitely has a place in the Drill series. Decker listens to music when he is "working" in the basement. He prefers Queen and Styx at this point. Charlene is a fan of Barry Manilow, especially on quiet nights when she is alone with her thoughts.

Mark

3/21/2019 07:15:09 am

I guess I will do some research.
You are the author of the story, so you are probably right. I found it most interesting.
Some authors use music to stimulate their muse, some even have specific songs for certain scenes. Some authors use popular song titles and references in their stories to show or create a certain mood.
New questions.
Do you think your experience in theater helps you as a writer?
Generally speaking, many authors find it very easy to keep writing and tweaking a story. A few admit that they don't want the story to be done for different reasons. How do you know when a book is finished?

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 09:15:03 am

I didn't do enough actual theater to really influence anything. I did start dancing, which I feel has many aspects similar to theater, at 14 or 15, and that does help when I write. Decker and Rudy from the Drill series co-own a strip club, which wouldn't have happened if I didn't know something about such places. Maybe they would have owned a donut shop instead. Lol
I am also planning a thriller or horror novel (depending on who/what the killer is), that will be set in a strip club. Society often considers strippers to be about half a step above prostitutes, so if they start dying, it doesn't have the same impact as the death of ten middle-class single mothers, for example. Even though the dancers might all be single mothers, once you add the "stripper/dancer" tag, the whole attitude changes.
So yes, my time on the stage has factored into my writing and will continue to do so.
I have had an interesting life, and I think it has definitely helped me to be a better writer. My experiences have allowed me to write some things that are a little darker, a little more raw, than I could have written otherwise.
I have a VERY hard time knowing when a book is finished. Lol I want it to be as good as it can possibly be, so I keep going back in to tweak this, that, or the other thing. This is a large part of why Winter of the Drill is still an open file on my laptop instead of taking up space on Amazon's virtual shelves. 😄

Mark

3/21/2019 09:48:34 am

I find it interesting how our experiences color and shape our perspectives. I think it's so important for authors to tell truth in stories and fiction. You are bringing a marginalized group to light and sharing their dignity.
New questions.
Did anything in the book come as a surprise?
What was the point of inspiration for this book?

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 11:18:12 am

The ending that I used was a bit of a surprise. I had considered several different options, any of which would have brought a unique difference to the conclusion of the story. I just couldn't decide which way to go. Then, when I was running short on the allotted word count and had to end the story, I just let the words flow and didn't try to direct them. So the actual ending wasn't really planned.
There was no real inspiration for IALW. I did draw on some of my own experiences, but the book wasn't inspired by what happened to me or anyone else.
Honestly, the plot developed from the line "That didn't change when I began killing them."
I don't remember which came first - that line or the concept of a man who truly loved women but killed them anyway. I think they kind of blended together to form the idea for the plot. But it was the sentence that brought real life to the idea.
I thought that sentence, coming after Danny's little speech about how much he loves women, might come as a bit of a shock. Hopefully it does, because that's what I was trying for.

Mark

3/21/2019 11:31:50 am

Nice, you were surprised by the ending just like the rest of us.
I think you wrote this for a contest, so that's where the limited word count came in. Were there any particular rules for the contest or a theme that you were required to follow? Was the line, "That didn't change when I began killing them." part of the contest? It was a bit of a shock.

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 12:04:39 pm

Yes, it was written for a contest. The only rule that we had to follow was the word count. I know that a lot of these contests require the story to follow a certain theme or include a certain sentence, but that wasn't the case with this contest. The sentence just popped into my head and I thought it would be a great hook to draw people into the story.
I just had a TOTAL brain fart! Danny lives in Tacoma, which is the setting for the Drill series. What if Tawnee, the stripper we love to hate, gets involved with an abuser? It could easily happen. I've known several dancers over the years who seem to draw that type of man to them, and it is a part of Tawnee's history.
What if she connected with Danny and he killed her? I've always said that no one in the Drill series is safe and she's no exception. Can you imagine Danny in the basement of the Drill? Hmmm... That might be an interesting plotline. One of the sequels in the queue involves murdered strippers whose relatives hire the Drill to find the killer. Maybe I could throw all this into my mental blender and see what comes out. 🤔

Mark

3/21/2019 02:12:05 pm

That doesn't sound like a brain fart to me! That is more the sound of inspiration! I think you are onto something there. Don't forget, every villain is the hero in his/her story.
While the blending is going on.
New questions.
How long does the research process take before you start to write a book or do you do the research as you write the book?
How many drafts do you go through to have a ready-to-publish manuscript?

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 02:58:57 pm

Research gives me gas, so I don't do it. If a book requires research, it doesn't get written. 😄
Seriously, because of my vision loss it's very hard for me to surf the Web or navigate websites, let alone do all the reading that research requires.
It depends on what you mean by a draft. I don't write the story from A to Z and then go back and clean it up once or twice. I write from A to C, and am usually stopped by writer's block or whatever.
When I go back to work, I start at A and read what I've already done, fixing stuff along the way. When I get to C, I'll keep writing until I am stopped again, maybe at H.
When I am able to get back to writing, I may start reading at C and move forward, or I might just go back to A.
Writing and then fixing what I write is a continuous process for me. Since I don't have a full manuscript, however messy, until the last word is typed, I don't know if it ever qualifies as a draft. I guess my answer would be that I have one draft that I go over and over until my brain explodes.

Mark

3/21/2019 04:07:56 pm

You have just shown me another way to write a book. I suggest to authors that they just get it written, follow the muse and not worry about how well or poorly it is written. The first draft exists for only one reason, to be a POS. After the first draft is done. Let the editing begin!
Others won't leave a chapter, page or paragraph until it is perfect. They seem to struggle maintaining their connection to their muse.
You run down the middle of that road. Every author has a slightly unique take on the process of writing. As long as it works, who am I to complain. As long as it gets written, that is what counts. More power to you, Rhani!
New questions.
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?
Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of wrinkles before publishing? If you don’t, why?

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 04:33:14 pm

I fell in love with reading and and a very early age and read everything I could get my hands on. But it wasn't until I was in junior high and started listening to music that I felt a strong connection to words. There were so many songs that seemed to say exactly what I was thinking or feeling in a way that I could never have done.
Since then, I've always been very connected to music. Songs have gotten me through some incredibly difficult periods in my life and have saved my sanity more than once.
I've had a couple of people read the first few chapters or a specific section of a book and give me their input on how it's going so far, but I don't have actual Beta readers.
Because of my writing method, by the time a book is finished, it's as good as it's going to get. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have some Beta readers because I think any book would benefit from that. I just don't know how to make it work for me.

Mark

3/21/2019 06:17:30 pm

You and I have a similarity about reading. I learned to read before going to school. That unlocked the universe for me and I have never stopped.
Music is very powerful and can impact people in tremendous ways that the written word may not work for everyone.
Music has been an anchor for you, and others, when experiencing the storms of life.
Perhaps asking them to read the entire book would get you the input you need. I do have a list of beta-readers on my Twitter home page, you are more than welcome to peruse the list.
New questions.
Do you have other writers you connect with, as in a critique group or support group?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

Rhani D'Chae

3/21/2019 08:18:07 pm

I was in a critique group for a few months a couple of years ago but I didn't much like it. The couple that ran the group felt that all writing needed to be done by the rules that they followed. The "professional" writer's rules. I didn't stay long.
#RRBC gives me awesome support as a writer, and I can also turn to them with any questions that I might have as far as the writing process goes.
Three things. Hmmm...
1. I wish I'd known that it was OK to publish as an Indie. I wasted so much time trying to get accepted by a traditional publisher. I wish I'd been aware of the other options that were out there at the time.
2. I wish I'd known more about things like grammar, punctuation, and paragraph/sentence structure. I know very little of that stuff, even today, but it would have been great if I had known back then even the little bit that I do know now.
3. Most importantly, I wish I had known that the only rule in writing is that there are no rules. The rules of grammar and so on do exist and do need to be followed. But as far as a writer's personal style in putting the words on the page, it's completely up to them. I think a lot of writers would disagree with that, but that's fine for them. Some of the best and most creative stories that I've read have come from the rule breakers. I think that forcing oneself to follow the "right" way to write is a guaranteed path to failure. I imaggine it would be like forcing a left handed person to write with their right hand.
I recently learned that I break one of the BIGGEST rules in writing. It was news to me, and I was shocked to discover what a huge no-no it was. I immediately went to my WIP and tried to fix the places where I had done it, but...see above where I talked about the southpaw. It just wasn'g gonna happen. 😄

Mark

3/22/2019 08:13:29 am

While a critique group can be very beneficial for a writer, I have heard that story more than once. The group is dominated by one or two people, who try to remake the group into their image and style of writing. It's a sad thing when that happens. I am glad you left that group. The next one might be better.
The RRBC sounds very helpful.
That's a great list that so many writers can identify with. I agree with you about grammar. That might seem odd coming from a proofreader, but I place the author's style very high on the list of considerations. I strive to preserve the writer's voice while using suggestions of grammar and punctuation to make the reading smoother. And Spelling, I like to see perfect spelling!
So, what was that BIG rule of writing?
New questions.
What is the biggest surprise in your writing journey?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

Rhani D'Chae

3/22/2019 12:40:47 pm

When I first published the 2nd edition of #Shadow, a reviewer wrote that I head hop. I'd never heard the term before so I checked into it. It was a little confusing, and I didn't see it (as I understood it) in my work.
Recently, someone took the time to explain it to me in a way that I understood. He also explained why most sources say that it's a bad thing to do. Even after I understood it, I didn't agree that it was so horrible. To me, it made perfect sense to do it.
While trying to fix those sections of the manuscript, I realized that it would force me to completely change my writing style. I did try, but it felt very uncomfortable, and the words didn't flow. The writing seemed choppy, and not at all like "me."
I finaly decided that I could only write in the way that worked for me, and people would either read or not read it. Hopefully, most readers will be okay with it.
The biggest surprise? Hmmm... When I wrote the 1st edition of #Shadow, I was pretty proud of it. I didn't realize that it was crap for several months after publication. I immediately stopped selling the book and started the rewrite, which is what's on Amazon now.
When the reviews started coming in, I was absolutely shocked at what people thought of it. I had done my best the first time, and it just wasn't good. At all. Had I taken some writing courses between the 1st and 2nd edition, I wouldn't have been so surprised, but I hadn't. I just opened the laptop one day and started a rewrite. So the fact that other people thought it was good did come as a surprise to me because I really wasn't expecting it to be much better then it had been the first time.
But I think my biggest surprise came after I published #Thirst, and started writing more seriously. Based on reviews and feedback, I realized that somewhere between the 1st and 2nd edition of #Shadow, I'd learned how to write.
I'm not a great writer, by any means, but I think I'm a good one. And, considering how bad that 1st book was, I am constantly surprised by what I see on my laptop today.
Authors and egos? Now that's a loaded question. I think a healthy degree of ego is good for everyone. If we can't believe that we are good at something then we'll never have the courage to explore our passions. So yes, I think a strong ego is an asset for a writer, especially one who is writing something that doesn't necessarily fit under the heading of mainstream.
But I also think a strong ego can be a problem for a writer, just as it can be for anyone else. Writing is an on going growth process. With each book we write, we will hopefully learn a little bit about how to make the next one better. I know I do.
But a large part of what we learn comes from our reviews and the feedback we receive from those who have read our work. It's important to listen to what is said with an open mind, even if we don't necessarily agree.
I think a strong ego can sometimes prevent an author from seeing the need for improvement. I have a friend who becomes quite hostile and condescending if someone dares to criticize his work. Clearly, something is wrong with that reader or they wouldn't be finding fault with such a well-written book. And he's not the only one who feels that way about the books that they write.
I think my answer to that question is yes, I do think a strong ego is an asset or a liability for a writer.

Mark

3/22/2019 03:05:02 pm

I went back and read my review of "Shadow of the Drill". I mentioned the head-hopping also and still gave you 5 stars! When I have to stop reading to figure out who is speaking, it ruins the flow just as much as a spelling error. You handled that so well, I think you should keep writing the way that you do.
In some ways writing is like golf, a game that you never win, but you do get better playing it.
I think you nailed it! A strong ego is necessary to keep faith in your work and your writing, while allowing for constructive criticism to help you improve. Writers invest so much of themselves in their writing, I am sure it's hard to maintain some objectivity at times. But, writing, like so many other activities, is a business at the end and must be treated so for an author to sell very many books. Readers have an overwhelming number of choices these days.
New questions.
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?
If you branch out into a different genre, will you use a different pen name, why or why not?

Rhani D'Chae

3/22/2019 04:12:03 pm

I reread your review also. I'd forgotten that you mentioned the head hopping thing, but I'm glad it didn't bother you too much. Especially since it seems that I'm incapable of changing my writing style. 😄
I have been asked several times if Rhani D'Chae is a pseudonym and no, it isn't. It's also not the name on my electric bill, my ID, or either of my birth certificates.
That being said, I can definitely see the benefits of a pseudonym for some people. Maybe they don't like their real name,or maybe they want to keep a little space between their writing life and the other sections of their world. I've also heard of those who write in the "voice" of the opposite gender and use a pseudonym so that their work will be accepted by their target audience.
I've known a few people who switch names when they switch genres and most of the time, I understand their reasons. But this is not something I can see myself ever doing. Which is not to say that I would NEVER do it. Given the right circumstances, we often do things that we didn't think we would do. But, at this point, I can't think of any reason that I would do it. Besides, given my incredible inadequacies when it comes to things like marketing and branding, the last thing I want to do is start over with a different name.

Mark

3/22/2019 05:18:47 pm

I like your writing style the way it is. Wait! What? You have two birth certificates? How does that happen?
Those are all good reasons to use a pseudonym. I recall one author who decided to bring all of her pen names under one roof, one website. I think it was a smart time-saving move. I believe she kept her different emails going. Having only one website had to be a time and money saver.
Marketing is hard. I think it's the hardest job there is for most writers. Because it's the opposite of writing, a solitary activity. Marketing means putting your books and yourself actively on the line. It means approaching people in real life or virtual and asking them to buy your book. Then there are public events, signings, readings, and conventions. All things that can easily raise the anxiety level to def-con 2 or above. Don't be too hard on yourself, try and do a little bit every day or so. There are a lot of good blogs about that.
New questions.
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?
In your experience, which marketing avenues have been the most rewarding or profitable?

Rhani D'Chae

3/22/2019 05:56:06 pm

I think the biggest myth that aspiring authors want to believe is that all they have to do is write the book. Once it's written, especially if it's good, people will storm the virtual stores to buy it. Money will pour in and success will be had!
Sadly, for the average author, that is so far from the truth that the distance can't be measured. Sure, your friends and family will probably buy a book. You might even sell a few to coworkers and the guys on your dart team. But that's not nearly enough sales to retire on.
I read somewhere that the average self or indie published author sells less than 100 copies of their first book. This would not surprise me. Writing that book was the easy part. Getting people to buy it is hard, hard, hard!
Another myth is that authors are in competition with each other. Granted, some others do feel that way, but most authors are more than willing to work together and co-promote. They are also willing to offer any knowledge that they have gained in any area where it might help someone else.
I've tried a whole bunch of different marketing/promotional options and, for the most part, none of them have even broke even, let alone been profitable. The only one I've been happy with is yours, which is why I keep coming back.
The ONLY other thing I recommend is #RRBC, and I do that without hesitation! Nothing else that I have encountered has given the return on my small annual investment like this group does. Not only are my books read and reviewed, but the constant promotion given is invaluable. If you are an author, you should definitely check this group out. And when you join (because I think you will), tell them I sent you. 😀

Mark

3/22/2019 06:11:51 pm

I think you nailed that! That has to be myth #1 "Instant wealth".
100 copies? Wow, how disappointing. I guess this shows the need for a strong ego and a thick skin, otherwise authors would give up in the face of that reality.
I agree with your second myth also. I tell authors their only competition is in the mirror. Each day they have to do better than the person in the mirror did the day before.
I appreciate that testimony. You and several others have returned more than once. I am very grateful for that also.
Perhaps I should join the RRBC, you sure make it sound good!
How do you balance the demands on your time as a writer with personal relationships?
Do you have any other passions or creative outlets to pursue if you didn't write?

Rhani D'Chae

3/22/2019 07:08:27 pm

I absolutely agree with you about the person in the mirror. I also agree that for a new author, ego is definitely necessary to keep going when it seems like no one is paying attention.
You should definitely join #RRBC! It's the perfect place for people who love to read to find some really fantastic books. Also, you would probably have no end of people wanting your professional services.
Balance? What's that? 😄 Fortunately, I don't have a lot of people actively involved in my life at this point. I could probably write a novel a week, time wise, if it wasn't for stoopid writer's block.
I have belonged to a non-profit organization for the last thirty years, and I'm usually fairly active with that, in several areas.
Because of my vision loss and other health issues, I can't do a lot of the things I used to do for fun and enjoyment.
I do enjoy going to movies, though, and I go as often as I can. There's usually something that I want to see, and as big as those screens are, I have no trouble following the action.

Mark

3/23/2019 08:14:17 am

Growing old is not for wimps. No question about that. My body is not cashing nearly as many checks as it used to. Volunteer work can be very satisfying, I have served in various capacities also most of my life.
Movies are fun. It's nice you are still able to enjoy that form of entertainment.
New questions.
What did your family say when you announced your desire to be a full-time writer?
What do they think now?
How do you maintain the excitement for yourself? Your excitement will impact others around you.

Rhani D'Chae

3/23/2019 11:14:31 am

When I was young, my parents thought it was wonderful that I liked to write and encouraged me to continue. But they had only read a few poems and a short story or two. They looked at it as a hobby, and I'm sure they never thought I would ever try to make a living at it.
Today, if I mention it, they just roll their eyes and pat me on the head. My mother doesn't care for the types of things that I write about, so she really doesn't want to hear about it. My seeing eye son is a little more supportive, but he does think I'm a horrible writer,even though he's never read one of my books.
I do have one sister who is very supportive and is always willing to help out where she can. I run ideas past her because she gives great input, and she Beta reads my short stories.
I stay excited by constantly thinking of new ideas for stories. Most of them never become more than ideas, but the ones that have potential are exciting for me.
Also, I am always thinking of new situations to put the characters from the Drill series into, and way to improve the characters themselves.
I am also planning a spinoff series from the Drill books as well as a series that is set in a future time. So ideas are constantly popping in-and-out of my head and it keeps me pretty revved up.

Mark

3/23/2019 02:11:59 pm

That's rather disappointing to get that reaction from some of your family. It is what it is. At least your sister respects and values what you do. I'm guessing that your son doesn't like the kind of things you write also.
Do you write your ideas down? I hope you do. Even if you didn't use an idea for 10 years, it could serve you well in other ways.
I love how you are always thinking about your books and characters. How future is that "future" project going to be do you think? Are you crossing over into my favorite genre, sci-fi?
New questions.
Is there any particular time of the day that ideas usually hit you?
Is there a particular type of scene that is harder to write than the others?

Rhani D'Chae

3/23/2019 04:50:15 pm

My son has pretty much the same tastes I do, so I don't think it's that he doesn't like the kind of stuff I write. I don't know why he feels that way, but in the beginning it was very hard to get past.
The Drill spin off series revolves around a new character in #Winter, Hunter Grae. I want to have him in a couple of books and see if people like him before a get him started on his own series. The futuristic series has already been started. I haven't gotten very far but it is underway.
I do make notes of some of my ideas. A lot of them don't survive long enough to get to my computer but I have started putting them into a text to myself so that I don't forget between point A and point B.
There is absolutely a certain time of day when ideas usually hit. It's that lovely period of the day called "when I'm in the middle of doing something else."
I think the only types of scenes that I would really have trouble writing, and I say would because I refuse to do it, are scenes that involve the abuse or vicious killing of an animal. I could absolutely write that a character had to shoot an animal, but it would be a clean, quick death without much detail. But I will never write anything that requires an animal to suffer in any way.
I feel the same about "innocent" elderly people. I may kill off a geezer from time to time, but there will be no graphic details of torture, ect.
However, if I have an 80 year old bad guy who has shown himself to be a heartless, evil person, that would be different. I would have no problem whatsoever with sending him down to the Drill's basement. 😄

Mark

3/23/2019 05:08:44 pm

Sorry to hear your son doesn't like your writing. I bet it was hard to wrap your head around. Does he want to be a writer?
The new stuff sounds interesting. Where does a name like Grae come from? Scottish, Welsh? Some authors have a lot of trouble with names.
Count yourself lucky, I know one author who is woken by her muse almost every night at 2:30. She keeps a pad and pen on her nightstand, because she can't go back to sleep until it's written down.
I love your sense of justice. I wouldn't want to hurt an animal needlessly myself.
In his basement, a Drill Press has a different meaning for sure!
New questions.
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy?
Have you thought about doing a book trailer?

Rhani D'Chae

3/23/2019 07:40:17 pm

My son was very interested in writing when he was young, an I greatly encouraged him. But now, his interests lie elsewhere.
Rudy Valdez, from the Drill series, is Hispanic, and his last name was chosen for that reason. But his is the only name in any of my books that was specifically chosen.
Hunter's last name came because I liked the sound of Hunter Grey/Gray, but I wanted a more creative spelling. Grae may be Scottish or Welsh, but if so, I'm not aware of it. Hunter hails from Texas, but who's to say where his ancestors came from. 🤔
I do use Twitter and Facebook for marketing. I would like to use other platforms, but those are the only two I really know anything about.
I do have a pretty awesome trailer for #Shadow that was put together by 4Wills Publishing. I plan to get one for #Winter when it finally gets done.

Mark

3/24/2019 09:13:24 am

The name thing is interesting. I really like names and knowing where they come from. I lived in San Francisco for a number of years and ran into names from all over the world. The world is getting smaller all the time.
If you want to send me the original video file, not a YouTube link, I will put that in my review of Shadow. More and more authors are having trailers made for their books. Who made your trailer? I am happy to give them a shout out here, if you would like.
New questions.
How do you convince readers to write a book review?
What are your thoughts on bad book reviews?

Rhani D'Chae link

3/24/2019 10:46:32 am

I love to get creative with names. We have 2 little gold twins, one is very fluffy and the other 1 has very distinctive stripes. So the names we felt most appropriate were Scruffy and Stripe. But that's so everyone spells those words, so the boys are Scruphy and Strype.
There is a bit of a story behind where I got the name for Decker, the Drill. Since his mother and father were Norwegian and Italian, respectively, I don't think that Decker is a surname. I suppose it could be his first name, but I'm really not sure. It's kind of funny, but up until this minute I never thought about the "actual" origin of his name. I know where I got it, but I have no clue where he did. 😄
Even my name is merely an exercise in creative spelling and has nothing to do with anything in particular.
At the end of each of my books, I think the reader and recommend a couple of Indie books. I also ask them to please leave a review.
Sometimes I will put a post on Twitter or Facebook, reminding readers to please leave a quick review if they've liked a book that they've read.
Reviews are one of the best things about #RRBC. The members download/read/review each other's books so it's a good source of reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as personal blogs.
It depends on why the bad book review was written.
I have no problem with legitimate poor reviews. In my opinion, if a reader felt that there was something negative enough about one of my books to leave a poor review, then that's something I can, and should, learn from. I know authors who don't read their own reviews, and I don't agree with that. Reviews are the best set of ears that a writer has when it comes to the reading world, and should absolutely be read. Readers know what they like and don't like. It's not possible to please everyone, but if there's a common thread in a book's reviews, whether it be good or bad, the author should definitely pay attention. This is the feedback that will make us aware of something in a book that might need to be changed or fixed so that future readers will have a better experience with the book. It can also help an author avoid those same mistakes in the next book that they write.
Other reviews are much less legitimate and they are one of the worst things in an author's world. These reviews, generally 1 or 2 stars, are retaliatory, usually written because the author pissed someone off. It could be that they gave another author a low star review and that author took it badly. I know several authors that this has happened to.
There is no end to the reasons why someone might do this. Some people derive pleasure from doing things that they think will hurt others. They get a giggle when they think of how the author will react to this review, even though they may have genuinely liked the book. IF they even read it. There are people out there who, I believe, find books with a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews and then leave low, extremely critical reviews without reading the book. They do it because they find it fun. I have looked at the review history of some people who have left 1 star reviews for books that I am thinking about reading, and usually 1 star is the exception. But sometimes, every review they write is 1 or 2 stars which tells me more about the reviewer than it does about the books.
Some people take their personal problems with an author to Amazon or Goodreads and then leave poor reviews as a way of striking back at that author. I know one author who received a 3 star review of her book, which was fair, given the reasons that the reviewer listed. But then the author and the reviewer had a personal falling out and the reviewer went back and changed the review to 1 star.
This is so petty! These reviewers are the writing world's version of the people who destroy property when they get mad at someone. The people who will key your car, break your window, or spray paint your house. Anything to hurt you, anything to make them feel like they scored a point. They are cowards who are unable to face a person directly, and this is clearly shown in their actions.

Mark

3/24/2019 04:25:49 pm

Cats! You have more than two cats, a very tired birdie told me so.
The question about Decker's name is kind of serious. That might make a nice short story, or be part of a prequel. I think I hear your muse whistling a happy tune.
I like that you recommend other books to your readers. That's a nice way of thanking them for reading and asking for a review.
That is a great explanation of the psychology of bad reviews. Some are legitimate. I tell authors they should celebrate when they get a bad review. If it's legitimate and thoughtful there is gold to mine there. If it's merely trash talking then most other prospective readers will see that. In either case, it proves that not all the reviews are coming from your mom and her cats.
New questions.
Audio books are exploding in America and all over the world for many different reasons. For example, there are many third-world countries where English is an official language of government and commerce, but there may well be dozens of tribal or ethnic languages spoken also. These countries have millions of people on the internet and they want books in English to help them improve their speaking and listening skills.
Have you thought about doing an audio book?
Is your book on Kindle Unlimited and why or why not?

Rhani D'Chae link

3/24/2019 06:15:16 pm

Yes, we do have a few cats. We are staff to 9 furry little dictators, plus my roommate's cat.
I have a prequel to the Drill series in the works. You're right, maybe that would be a good time to explain how Decker got his name.
I have thought many times about getting my books into an audio book format. The problem is that I don't know how to do it myself, I can't afford to pay what most narrators charge, and I don't know anyone who will do it for what I can afford to pay. Eventually, it will be done, but I think it's going to be a little while. If you know of a reasonably priced person who has the knowledge to do this, please pass my name on to them. 😀
My books are on and off I have kindle unlimited, depending on how I feel at that point in time. There are a few benefits to having a book listed there, but I have not seen enough profit to really make me a fan. Also, having a book on kindle unlimited limits an author's options. To me, it's a personal choice. Some people like it, others don't and I'm somewhere in the middle.

Mark

3/24/2019 06:37:32 pm

And his nickname, that might be an interesting story! You are probably aware of the brand name Black & Decker. Their early story is kind of interesting, you might enjoy it.
I have a list of people who do audio books on my twitter home page. I am sure there are podcasts and YouTube videos about making audio books also. Do you ever listen to audio books yourself? If not, you should try a few and get familiar with the format.
New questions.
How do you relax when you're not writing?
What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?

Rhani D'Chae

3/24/2019 07:45:00 pm

It's interesting that you mention Black and Decker. Decker's name (nick or otherwise) preceded his career as an enforcer in Tacoma. As explained in #Shadow, his name, coupled with his unyielding brutality when doing his job and then added to the fact that Black and Decker make power tools, is how he got the nickname the Drill.
I listen to audio books often. Because of my vision, it's very hard for me to read print. I'm good for a little while but then I start getting severe eyestrain and a headache. So, if I'm not ready to stop reading, I will turn on an audio book.
To relax, I will watch movies or read. Those are my favorite hobbies. I used to make stage wear for friends of mine who are performers, but I don't do much of that now because of my vision.
My favorite phrase is "This too shall pass." It hasn't yet, but one can always hope. 😄

Mark

3/25/2019 08:16:16 am

I forgot that part from Shadow. But it was obviously lurking in the back of my mind. Too funny.
Have you ever thought of recording your books yourself? Have you tried or experimented with recording? Maybe put a chapter on your website, see what the fans think.
I like that phrase, because it is so true. Nothing is static, while some things seem to last forever, they are not.
New questions.
What famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet? A famous author?
Have you ever thought about speaking to a college or high school writing class?

Rhani D'Chae

3/25/2019 10:19:19 am

I have thought of recording some of my stuff myself, but if you were to look up "technologically stoopid" in the dictionary, you would see a picture of my face. I have no clue how to do anything involved with websites or anything else. So if I can't find someone who does, it doesn't get done. 😄
This may sound silly but I would love to meet Joe Manganiello. Though he was not the face I saw when I originally wrote Decker's character in Shadow of the Drill, he is the person I would now like to see play Decker on the big screen.
I would enjoy speaking to a writing class of any age. I have learned many things during my writing journey, and I'm sure some of it would be relevant to others. I would especially like to tell young writers that they don't necessarily have to go through the process of finding an agent and querying one of the Big Five. Self publishing is out there for those who want to go that route, but younger writers might not know how to set something like that up.
It's also very easy for inexperienced authors to get involved with the vanity presses. I went that route at one time because I didn't know any better. I learned a lot from that experience and I think other newbies might benefit from my mistakes.

Mark

3/25/2019 10:42:15 am

We all start from zero. There is a learning curve to every aspect of this business. I have made two attempts to make a video podcast. The failure was epic. It turns out that my old speech impediment, stammering, shows up extremely well. Unlike a lot of people. Public speaking does not scare me. I enjoy it and the energy that is produced in the process. I have spoken to a group of almost 1,000 people one time. I thought it went well. Put me in front of my laptop, it's a crash and burn. One day, I will try again with a script, instead of speaking off the cuff. That might make a difference.
I hope you take the first step of recording yourself reading one of your books aloud, it might turn out to be something you are good at. Worry about how to get it on your website later. There is always some help for that on YouTube or something like that.
Very cool that you have a person in mind to play your main character. Perhaps he would enjoy your story.
I am like you, I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years. I hope you contact local schools and colleges and offer your speaking services. There are also book clubs and independent bookstores that might be interested.
New questions.
Do you write poetry?
Whose writing do you admire the most?

Rhani D'Chae

3/25/2019 11:51:08 am

I might look into recording something, down the road. I don't know how to do it on my computer, and my computer is old and probably not up to the task.
I used to write a lot of poetry, but I don't do it much anymore. I wrote Shy's poem for One Dyke Cozy, and I was quite happy with it. Poetry, for me, takes a lot of thought/time, and I just don't have the time to focus on it these days.
"Admire" is very strong word and not one that I use lightly. There are several authors whose work I absolutely love, but I can't begin to tell you how much I admire Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's dedication to research.
When I read her books, I always feel as though she actually lived through the time that she wrote about. This is due to her great skill as a writer, but also to her incredible attention to even the smallest detail, which goes back to the research that she does. I hate research with a purple passion, and if I have to research it, I won't write it. 😄

Mark

3/25/2019 03:19:15 pm

Try recording with your phone. Just as a first draft, type of thing. You have Dragon on your computer, so the equipment is in place. You just need a different piece of software, it may well be on your computer already.
Poetry is a very intense thing. I don't have the desire to write any either.
I will be looking up Chelsea's work. I love historical fiction. I am a fan of great writing in almost any genre.
Given your vision issues I am not surprised that research is something you wish to avoid. I would do the same.
New questions.
What books do you think every author should read, and why?
What is the process you go through to come up with a title for your books?

Rhani D'Chae

3/25/2019 04:42:52 pm

I don't think there's any book in particular that an author "should" read. Everyone is different and is looking for something that is relevant to them. I don't think that any one book is more important for an author to read then any other book.
But I do think an author should read, as much as possible. Read in their genre, in other genres, read fiction and non fiction. Just...read. I have learned so much about the plot and character development from what other authors have done. And reading, for me, is a heck of a lot more fun than research.
I don't really have a process for coming up with my titles. After writing Shadow of the Drill, I decided I wanted all of the books in that series to be titled (Something) of the Drill. I wanted there to be consistency in the series, which is also why all of the covers will be done by 4Wills Publishing and follow a similar color theme.
The other titles just popped into my head. Don't get me wrong - they weren't the only ones. There were others that wandered through and were discarded for whatever reason, but there is no process. I just give my brain a good shake and see what falls out.

Mark

3/25/2019 05:16:53 pm

I really enjoy talking with you. Your answers are so thoughtful and sometimes downright funny!
No particular book, just read a lot! That makes a lot of sense to me.
I like your process for titles. It's quite original. A lot of authors seek for some kind of continuity or theme for titles and covers in a series. As a reader, I like to see that also.
Last questions.
Have you had any experience with plagiarism and how did you deal with it?
Do you have a favorite quote or line from your book?

Rhani D'Chae

3/25/2019 06:18:04 pm

I like talking to you, too. You ask great questions that are fun to answer!
To my knowledge, none of my work has been plagiarized. I did find my books listed for sale on a site that I didn't put them on, but that's not the same thing. It did take quite a while and repeated contact with the site before they would take my books down. Just one more thing that authors need to be aware of and keep an eye out for.
I don't have a favorite quote or line from IALW, but I do have two from the Drill series.
The character of Rudy says "Let's get this road on the show." He is much more lighthearted than Decker, and I think this little twist of the familiar phrase suits his personality.
The other phrase I like from the Drill series is Fido, which means F*** it, drive on. My boys live in a world where things often go wrong, sometimes tragically. But they have a job to do and can't let themselves yet caught up in the negativity. Fido is their way of staying grounded, of telling themselves to keep moving forward.

Mark

3/25/2019 06:28:32 pm

I am glad you were successful in getting your books off the website. I hope you are checking on a regular basis. I have there is a site that will scour the web looking for your book, even under a different title. I would imagine it's possible to do an advanced search with a couple of paragraphs in quotes, to see for yourself if someone is repackaging your book. But, I have never tried that, personally.
I knew I liked Rudy for a good reason, he thinks like I do. I have said many things like that in the past.
I think we all need a little bit of FIDO in our lives at one time or another. I love acronyms and will remember that one for a long time.
I have enjoyed our conversation so much, Rhani. I am looking forward to seeing your next book, "Winter of the Drill".
You take care now, I will see you around the Twitter corral.

Rhani D'Chae

3/25/2019 06:34:10 pm

Thank you, Mark! This interview has been so much fun and I can't wait to do it again in the fall. Now that we are Facebook friends, I can stalk you there as well as on Twitter. 😁
Thanks again, and I will talk to you soon.

I’ve Always Loved Women By Rhani D’Chae

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