Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Dalivane.
Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been writing since I was a child. It was when my mom gave me a small red notebook that I began to write. I was eight then. I used to simply write my thoughts down, all of which were uncomplicated and flavored by a whimsical childhood. Ever since that point, I kept a journal. I believe that the ritual of self-reflection developed my writing skills–I was finding a way to communicate my inner thoughts. It also turned into a practice of observation and forming perspectives. This is something that I loved to incorporate into my debut novel, A Pale Darkness. To me, storytelling is not simply about entertaining. It is also about providing insights and finding ways to process this world. It is about exploring what wisdom is and how we can achieve it through characters and their journeys.
I studied Communications at The King’s College in Manhattan. I remember my writing professor telling me that I should choose writing as a career path. That really stuck with me. It felt like maybe I was finding my niche. Finally, three years ago, I sat down and began writing a novel. I did not even know what it was going to be about at first. I have found that writing a story is more about discovering the fate of different characters, rather than choosing them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Writing a novel is something that feels instinctual to me. I genuinely love the process of writing and piecing together a story. The challenging elements have included finding a quiet space in this busy world to be able to reflect and think deeply. It has meant avoiding social media and intentionally choosing a lifestyle of introspection. Of course, it can also be nerve-wracking to put so much of myself into a story. I feel so involved with Marcella’s life (my main character). It often feels like living in a parallel universe, and coming out of that process and sharing it with the world both scares and excites me, especially because I feel like I poured my soul into it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the author of debut novel “A Pale Darkness.” It is a 705 page thriller about a young woman in Manhattan who gets involved with a man who has a secret life. When she goes to the Hamptons with him, his shocking truths are revealed. Marcella has to find her way out of his terrifying world. She must ask herself one question: Is love worth dying for?
I believe one of my strengths as a writer is developing a character and exploring the deeper layers of thought. I love to dig into the fear and anxiety within a person, and to get at the larger truth of what makes that person human. To find the love and the pain, whatever it might be. I want to identify the thread that pulls a person through life, and forms a tapestry of personality and functionality. It’s fun to dive into that psychology and explore the grey areas. As a writer, it is my goal to challenge people to think deeply as they process the world, and I do this through the thoughts of my main character. I also love to blend poetic prose with a strong and gripping story, and I believe that I succeeded in “A Pale Darkness.”
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I did not choose a conventional career. It takes courage to pursue writing in a world that prefers social media instead of books. I have not wanted a 9-5 job, or one that forces me to forfeit my value system, which entails a lot more introspection and intentionality than our culture encourages. I believe that individualism is one of the greatest and riskiest values of all. It forces a person to think independently and to challenge the cultural norms set by the majority. In my writing, I enjoy exploring how things can change, and to consider independent thought. It takes a great amount of courage to do things differently and to not always agree with the people around me. It also takes a lot of wisdom and discernment to know how to communicate those ideals in a way that others will receive them. It was with a great amount of consideration that I also chose to self publish my novel. I chose to bet on myself and my writing, apart from the professional world. I did not want to forfeit the publishing rights of my writing to a publishing house. I also did not want to invite professionals to edit and change my story. It takes a lot of confidence to put so much faith and responsibility in myself, and not to depend on a larger group of people to uplift my work. At the end of the day, I can say that this is my voice and I stand behind it with conviction. It is empowering, thrilling, and terrifying.
Pricing:
- “A Pale Darkness” paperback, $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://racheldalivane.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racheldalivane?srtk=MTk2Y2FlaHNpam9q&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592335491169&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=vvohY9Emrk74R3JF&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1C6QTspb4h%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
