Author Interview with Rachel Dacus
Today we are talking with Author Rachel Dacus! Do you have any questions you would like Rachel to answer? Just leave a comment.
Tell us what your books are about.
My motto on my website is “In my world, love always wins.” That sums up the themes I pursue in writing—love in all its dimensions and how it transforms us if we follow it with passion, selflessness, and a sense of adventure. Not all of my stories are romances, but the romance of love sustains my characters’ journeys.
What will a reader gain by reading your books?
I hope my readers will gain many things for the period of time they’re reading: adventure, enchantment, a sense of daring beyond themselves, and hope for the future. The sense that love is the most important connection in life, and worth risking everything for.
Do you reply back to your fans and admirers personally?
I try to make real connections with readers, as I believe we’re sharing something of the nature of friendship when they appreciate something I’ve written, whether a poem or a whole book. I’ve made friends of writers I admire by writing to them and when they generously find time to write back. Writers are usually very open to corresponding with fans. We’re not Hollywood celebrities with bodyguards. It’s usually easy to find how to contact an author on a website and reach out. I appreciate it so much when someone takes the time to tell me what they liked in my writing!
Which of your books took you the most time to write?
The Renaissance Club took seven years. I know aspiring authors don’t like to hear this, but writing is a demanding art form and like playing piano or dancing, requires lots of practice. As a writer I admire once said, you have to write the bad stuff to get to the good stuff. During those seven years, I was benefitted by the advice of three top editors, but I had to find ways to revise the book according to their guidance. I can’t imagine how anyone can write a novel every year!
Given the chance to live your life again, what would you change about yourself?
I’d start writing sooner. Age ten was a little too old to begin practicing.
How did you celebrate the publishing of your first book?
A friend threw me a big launch party for my first poetry book, complete with actor friends to read with me from the book, refreshments, and my first book-signing.
Which book would you want adapted for the silver screen?
The Renaissance Club was made for the big screen. Just think of all those gorgeous places in Italy: Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice. Not to mention the very exciting Bernini (played by James McAvoy).
If you were given the opportunity to form a book club with your favorite authors of all time, which legends or contemporary writers would you want to become a part of the club?
I’d form the Jane Austen Book Club with Jane herself and her family, who had their own kind of book club. We’d read only takeoffs on Jane Austen’s novels, of which there is an endless supply. We’d especially enjoy the really bad ones, as Jane Austen enjoyed lampooning the gothic novels of her day. Actually, I’d also allow contemporary novelists Ann Patchett (Bel Canto) and Anne LaMott (Bird by Bird) to join. That would be an incredible room!
Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
I have a favorite writing café called La Scala, which serves fantastic espresso and plays jazz, classical, and the best of international pop. The large room is lined with big windows, Art Nouveau posters, and people with laptops. You can almost hear the inspiration pinging around. It’s buzzy, creative noise and I love working there. I mostly write at home, but it always amazes me that I’m twice as productive when surrounded by writers and students.
What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?
Enchanted April, which I’m taking off on for my second book, which is also set on the Ligurian coast of Italy and has a scene which includes Castello Brown, where the movie was filmed. I selected that castle because of the movie.
Get Your Copy Today!
The Renaissance Club
by Rachel Dacus
Time Travel Romance
January 23, 2018
Would you give up everything, even the time in which you live, to be with your soul mate?
May Gold, college adjunct, often dreams about the subject of her master’s thesis - Gianlorenzo Bernini. In her fantasies she’s in his arms, the wildly adored partner of the man who invented the Baroque.
But in reality, May has just landed in Rome with her teaching colleagues and older boyfriend. She yearns to unleash her passion and creative spirit, and when the floor under the gilded dome of St Peter’s basilica rocks under her feet, she gets her chance. Walking through the veil that appears, she finds herself in the year 1624, staring straight into Bernini’s eyes. Their immediate and powerful attraction grows throughout May’s tour of Italy. And as she continues to meet her ethereal partner, even for brief snatches of time, her creativity and confidence blossom. All the doorways to happiness seem blocked for May-all except the shimmering doorway to Bernini’s world.
May has to choose: stay in her safe but stagnant existence, or take a risk. Will May’s adventure in time ruin her life or lead to a magical new one?
About the Author:
Rachel Dacus is the daughter of a bipolar rocket engineer who blew up a number of missiles during the race-to-space 1950’s. He was also an accomplished painter. Rachel studied at UC Berkeley and has remained in the San Francisco area. Her most recent book, Gods of Water and Air, combines poetry, prose, and a short play on the afterlife of dogs. Other poetry books are Earth Lessons and Femme au Chapeau.
Her interest in Italy was ignited by a course and tour on the Italian Renaissance. She’s been hooked on Italy ever since. Her essay “Venice and the Passion to Nurture” was anthologized in Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience. When not writing, she raises funds for nonprofit causes and takes walks with her Silky Terrier. She blogs at Rocket Kid Writing.
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