Q&A with Rachel Waldburger

Welcome Rachael! Thanks for taking some time to talk about writing. First, a few quick-fire questions: What kind of pet can’t you have that you wish you could? Where is your dream holiday destination? And what is your ‘must-have’ writing beverage?

Thank you, Joshua! Of course you have to start with a hard question- I’d have one of every pet if I could, but my husband and the city ordinance say no. But if I could pick anything, I’d love to get a fox. My dream trip would be to Sherwood Forest, no contest. I grew up on Robin Hood stories and have always wanted to see where the legends are set. And writing beverage? I’m going to be super original and say coffee. 

"My dream trip would be to Sherwood Forest, no contest.
​I grew up on Robin Hood stories and have always wanted to see where the legends are set."

You are currently querying for Wordweaver, the first novel in your fantasy series. How has that process been and do you have any advice for writers who are preparing query letters? 

The process of querying has been difficult, but it’s improved my writing immensely. There’s so much information out there about the best querying tips and practices, and everyone has their ideas on the best way to do it. I think the best advice is just to keep working and adjusting  your letter with each query, and try not to get discouraged. Most of the querying process seems to be just waiting for responses, and it’s hard to stay positive when your inbox is filled with rejections. But I believe there’s a plan for each of us, and that fulfilling any dream mostly comes down to timing.
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As a writer, a teacher, and an artist you have a diverse creative palette. How do you balance and manage your creative projects while sustaining your creative energy? 

​I’m lucky enough to teach classes I love, which also allow me to be creative during the work day. I do many projects alongside my students, so I have constant access to fresh new ideas and perspectives. If I do start to feel burned out, I take a break from one outlet to focus on another. Currently I’m spending more time reading and drawing, to give myself a break from all the revision I’ve been doing.
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 "I do many projects alongside my students, so I have constant access to fresh new ideas and perspectives.
​If I do start to feel burned out, I take a break from one outlet to focus on another."
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As you mention on your website, as a teacher at a small school you teach many different subjects including Spanish and German. Does teaching and speaking these languages influence your fantasy world? Does any other subject that you teach feature prominently in your writing?
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Teaching languages has definitely influenced my worldbuilding. The two countries at war in Wordweaver are loosely based on Norway and Ancient Rome, so many of the character and place names come from those languages. The other subjects I teach are art and music, which I often use to enrich the culture and history of the worlds I write.
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"The two countries at war in Wordweaver are loosely based on Norway and Ancient Rome,
​so many of the character and place names come from those languages."
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​Your first novel, Wordweaver, follows the story of Ynria, a young woman living in the mountains between warring countries. You’ve described it as “Mulan meets Lord of the Rings”. Is this a story that you’ve been working on for a long time or was it inspired by more recent events? 

​The books have definitely been influenced by recent events, but the idea started back when I was in high school. I’d scribbled a few paragraphs about an unnamed character in a notebook, which my little brother stole and read. He wanted to know what happened to “6”, and didn’t believe me when I said I had no idea what he was talking about. It turns out when I wrote “he” it looked like a “6” to my brother, so I promised I’d write him a story featuring a character named Six. 

Wordweaver is the beginning of Six’s story, though not from his point of view. I started it as a NaNoWriMo project in 2013, and I’ve been working on the trilogy almost exclusively since then. ​
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"It turns out when I wrote “he” it looked like a “6” to my brother,
​so I promised I’d write him a story featuring a character named Six."
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One of the greatest joys and challenges of creating a fantasy world is managing the use and effect of magic. How does magic work in Wordweaver and how did you create your framework for magical abilities and limitations? 

The magic system in my book is called Wordweaving. Only things that could normally occur in nature are possible through Wordweaving, which does limit the system as a whole. A Wordweaver could not turn a rose into an apple, for example, or create something from nothing. Wordweaving can also only be performed if the Wordweaver is in physical proximity to the intended object, so they could not affect something across a room. The strength of the Wordweaving varies from person to person. Just like any other talent, it is up to the Wordweaver to develop their own abilities.
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From its description, the characters in Wordweaver face some historically relevant threats including invasion, a monarch’s ambition, and slavery. Were there any historical stories or sources you drew on while writing the novel? 

I’ve always been fascinated by WWII history, and though I didn’t intend to base the story on specific events, there are definitely similarities. The man who rises to power after assassinating the royal family bases his political platform on a sensationalized form of patriotism. In Wordweaver’s sequel, several scenes are based on my research of the French and Polish undergrounds during German occupation, especially when it comes to the involvement of women in the resistance. That, plus my aforementioned affinity for Robin Hood legends, usually leads me toward stories where the main action is more subtle and strategic than in battles involving brute force.
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"In Wordweaver’s sequel, several scenes are based on my research of the French and Polish undergrounds
​during German occupation, especially when it comes to the involvement of women in the resistance." 
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Wordweaver is not the end of your story! With two more books on the go, Ravenshield and Everheir, what can readers expect to see from you next and where can they stay up to date on your most recent projects? 

There are so many stories I want to tell, and I’m excited to start working on some new ideas (including one story featuring a female pirate and her timid male research assistant.) I share project updates as well as book reviews, poetry, and writing tips on my website and am looking forward to hearing from other writers, teachers, and anyone else who needs a break from reality! 
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To stay up to date on Wordweaver's journey towards publication follow Rachel on Twitter!