I follow a veritable hodgepodge of authors for a wide variety of reasons. I don’t even remember why I started following Rachel Hauck, but I remember receiving her email update that mentioned the fact that her book Once Upon a Prince was going to become a Hallmark movie. Immediately, I contacted Rachel for an interview because after all, I am a “Hallmark” girl first and foremost. Although she was in the frantic throes of promotion and so much more, she took a few moments to answer several questions about her career, including this momentous news item that has cemented her position within the prestigious group of “Hallmark movie authors.”

RH: Why did you decide to become an author? What led you to make this change in your life towards full-time writing?

RH: I wanted to write since I was a kid. I attempted my first novel in fourth or fifth grade. I didn’t know what I was doing so I didn’t get very far. I tried again in sixth grade with a chick lit before chick lit was even a phrase! I was working in the corporate world when I sold my first book, a Heartsong romance. When I contracted the third book for them, I quit my corporate job, cut the household income in two-thirds and never looked back. That was in 2004.

Publicity Shot. Photo by Rachel Savage.

What was your first published work? Please tell us the process of getting it published and how it was received by readers.

Ah, are you sure you want to go back that far? My first book was in an e-book in 2004. Long before the Kindle came along. About the same time I sold to Heartsong, I “sold” a cute romance to an e-publisher in Australia. She was a pioneer in e-books. That book, This Time, had been rejected by Heartsong so when the Writer’s Exchange offered to publish it, I thought, “Why not?” Even if only twenty people read it that’s more than if the book is sitting in my closet. And for about five years, that’s about how many people read the book. Thank goodness the Kindle came along. As for the publishing process, the inroads are different for everyone. Nevertheless, the journey always starts with a good story!

Your book Once Upon a Prince is going to premiere this weekend as a Hallmark movie. Please tell us about the process of it being optioned for a film. How long was the process?

I’m so excited! Hallmark is such a great corporation! I’m blessed to be with a publisher that works with Hollywood production companies. They take the stories to the producers for possible movie options. Once Upon A Prince was picked up by the lovely Maura Dunbar of Engage Entertainment. She took the story to Hallmark and the rest, as they say, is history.

I think you visited set during filming. Please tell us about that experience.

I did! I was sooo blessed to do so. From the beginning, it had been the plan to visit the set and possibly be extras. My husband and I flew to Victoria B.C. where Once Upon A Prince was filmed. We had two fun and long days on the set. One just meeting people and observing. Everyone was so fabulous and nice. The second day they dressed us up in formal wear and set us in the ballroom scene where we both learned to be background actors. You know, that’s a real thing: background actors. They have agents, go to casting calls. It’s amazing. I loved seeing behind-the-scenes of a movie set. My book this summer, The Love Letter, has a movie-making plot and while I was a bit too late to the Once Upon A Prince set to make changes to my book, I found I got most of my movie plotting right. 🙂

On set with Jonathan Keltz and Maura Dunbar

Have you seen the film? What is your favorite scene (if you have one) or the scene you’re looking most forward to seeing?

I have not, but I read the script. I think all of it is my favorite, but I’m really looking forward to the scenes at Lover’s Oak. By the way, Lover’s Oak is a real, 900-year-old tree in Brunswick, Georgia. 🙂

What are fans of the book going to enjoy the most about the movie? And if viewers are not familiar with the book, what are they going to enjoy most?

The heart of the book is totally in the movie. They will recognize many pieces of the book, and quite a few scenes. They will love the actors playing Prince Nathaniel and Susanna. They will love the ballroom scene and the coronation! Yea, it’s going to be epic!

What other newly-released and upcoming works can you tell us about?

I mentioned The Love Letter which comes out in June. I’m currently working on a book for next April, The House on Memory Lane.

Faith is an integral part of your life. How do you incorporate that into your books?

I usually work in a supernatural event or character. I like to imagine how life would be if we could “see” God breaking into our world…if we could see how He orchestrated the past to impact our present.

What authors have most inspired your writing style?

Oh, that’s a tough one. I love a good book. I read a lot of different authors. I was first impacted by Laura Ingalls Wilder and more recently by Susan May Warren, Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Lisa Bergren, Beatriz Williams, JoJo Moyes and Mark Levy.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go and why?

Well, if I could be there with a snap of my fingers, Australia. I went Down Under twice in the ’80s and loved it. But if I have to actually travel, I love my Georgia/Tennessee mountains. We’re heading there in June and I cannot wait. I’d also one day like to do a European River Cruise. 🙂

When I reach out to authors for interviews, I’m never certain what the responses to the various questions I ask will be. I likewise recognize the fact that these authors are bombarded with all sorts of requests, and because of limited time, the interview may be brief and not as insightful or profound due to the general busyness of these authors who have suddenly been propelled into the limelight. So I will admit that my expectations were moderate at best when it came to the potential answers that Rachel would send me. Even to receive the responses before the premiere of a movie can be a feat few are able to achieve.
I want to declare with absolute veracity that Rachel exceeded my expectations in a way few authors have. While her responses are compact and to the point, I found that she was able to articulate heartfelt thoughts and responses in a concise format in such an amazing way that causes me to lavishly heap unabashed accolades on this woman who has heeded the calling of God on her life to inspire others through the written word. While I am regularly impressed with authors that I interview, Rachel stands as a shimmering example of what God can accomplish through those who avail themselves to the will of the Eternal Father of the Universe. While I have yet to read any of Rachel’s writings, she is now at the top of “my favorite authors whom I have not yet read” list.
I do hope that everyone will make a concerted effort to tune into the Hallmark Channel tonight (April 7th) to watch the premiere of Once Upon A Prince with the expectation of watching a delightful tale told in a way that only the combined talents of Rachel and Hallmark can relate. Furthermore, please check out all of Rachel’s links below and consider purchasing a book or two from this immensely gifted woman. I am honored to think that I had the supreme opportunity of connecting with a woman who is remarkably genuine, humbly talented, and unquestionably godly, and I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for her as she follows the plan which God has laid out for her.
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