Rachel Stafford Writes

And I'm feeling rather nervous and unprepared. I'll be at the Chocolate Factory (where I worked all throughout high school) from 0900-1100 tomorrow morning! I'm really hoping that all goes nicely. Wish me tons of luck. I'll update tomorrow with how everything went. I'll be doing my best to get the new comic out in time, but right now, I'm feeling a little rushed. But I'm pretty sure I can whip one up for y'all. Always Keep Adventuring, Rachel♥

So my September promotion has come and gone. 136 Kindle copies were claimed, and I'm beyond excited about that! Maybe that's not a whole lot for other people, but I'm extremely happy because I was able to tell my mom that her silly story made it to 136 people this week. Her silly story possibly made 136 children smile this week. And that's what this is all about! I've just placed an order of books to keep on hand. Once I've gotten them, I want to continue to help children smile. I'm submitting a copy for donation to the Magic Beans Bookstore . This organization donates books, toys, and other independent work to children battling cancer, while helping to promote the work of all those who have donated. I really appreciate their program, and am more than happy to be doing business with them! I'm working on a secret project at this moment, as well as preparing for upcoming events, and working on Our Little House on the Great Big Hill . It's bee...

Does anyone else have a certain month, or time of year, when it seems life just wants to screw with you? September - October are usually those months, and boy let me tell you: this year has been rough on us. Broken glasses, paychecks were short, bills were shuffled around, the dogs chewed up the hallway wall, the truck broke down, it's getting cooler and we still don't have a clothes dryer.... And most of that was just this week.   But it's okay. It's okay because I know  we will be taken care of. We have always been blessed.. even on those days when we've got a quarter tank of gas and four days until payday. Even on those days when everything is breaking, and tempers are running high. Even on those days when it feels like the hours upon hours upon hours of working will never pay off.. it always does. I've felt awful today with a sinus cold and my chronic tummy issues. I can't concentrate to save my life, but I'm pushing through today. I came bac...

September 2-6,  the Kindle Edition of The Greasy Opossum  is FREE! So far, nearly 100 copies have been claimed, and I'm so excited!! Check it out before the promo ends. This has been such a busy week, and I'm feeling pretty jazzed today. Tired, but jazzed nonetheless. So many changes and new things are coming, but I'm not sure what to say about them yet, so I guess you'll just have to wait for a little longer. It's SUNDAY so be sure to check back later tonight for my new comic. Always Keep Adventuring -Rachel ♥♥

HELLO all. I've decided to update my blog style. Watcha think, pretty sweet right? Well, maybe. But there are new things a'happenin! I've added a shopping cart to my sidebar ------> One can use this to buy paperback versions of my book(s) and possibly other merch in the future. I've also added quick links to my Facebook & GoodReads pages on the top navigation. There's a sketches and doodles page, which will kind of be a catch all for my Instagram feed, probably. And FINALLY, I've added a pretty important [to me] page. Da-dada-da! It's the Rural Road Tales page! I'm going to use this as a platform for a weekly sketch diary that involves my characters-- my family-- in a weekly comic style. I'm aiming for uploading every Sunday. My goal is relatable and funny... but  it's me so it'll probably just be awkward. Either way, I'm hoping it will brighten your day. I received my first new edition copy of The Greasy Opossum  and ...

Just when I think that I've finishing The Greasy Opossum, I realize that there are things I need to change. I wonder if all authors go through this? I just went through and re-edited and republished the entire paperback and ebook editions. They should be available within 24 hours on Amazon, but it's so frustrating. It's amazing what a little time and perspective can do to make you realize that your original work (that was edited and edited then edited some more) still needs WORK. Maybe it'll always be a constant work in progress. Who knows? Either way, it's 19:55 on 08/19/17 and hopefully within 24 hours, both the new paperback and ebook editions will be ready and available! WOOT. Here's a preview of the new cover for your viewing pleasure. Always Keep Adventuring! Rachel♥♥

I've been a little busy, lately! BUT that doesn't mean I've forgotten about finally starting those illustrations. I've gotten around to starting some rough sketches for Our Little House on the Great Big Hill . I've got a few ideas down, and I'm planning on working on some more as soon as possible. (Maybe I'll even start some serious line work tonight!!!) This book is going to be an examination into the ART of being 'grateful.' Being thankful for all that we DO have can be extremely trying sometimes. Especially if you work REALLY  hard and don't feel like you have much to show for it. Like I do. Sometimes, even if you have a fantastic job, and a great family, and budget your butt off... you still struggle to keep your head above water.  But what truly matters isn't a flashy house. One needs to find joy in what they do have, even if it's not exactly what they want.  Our family lives in a teeny, tiny trailer. It's ...

So... if you've read the Kindle version of my book, you've probably noticed the awful formatting. I'll admit, it was pretty terrible. I was not pleased at all, but I really didn't have many other options at the time. You see, my computers at home are pretty much all paperweights. I have four laptops and a desktop that did not work until just a few days ago. I've had to borrow computers to upload my work, and in doing so, I had no way to download the Kindle Kid's Book Creator program. Over the past weekend, I spent my time tinkering. I took apart one of my laptops and had to perform a semi-backdoor factory reset on the other. After a few hours of work, I finally  was able to get one of them to work properly! *cue insane dancing* Once I had one working again, I was actually able to get into really upping the format on my eBook. It's still not perfect, but it's a helluva lot better than it was before. I still have a LOT of work to do, but I'm al...

Hello and welcome! I'm back with new and exciting information just for you. I'm currently hosting TWO giveaways on Amazon for digital and physical copies of,  The Greasy Opossum . THREE lucky winners will receive a paperback copy by entering HERE . FOUR lucky winners will receive a Kindle copy by entering HERE .  I highly encourage you to share these links and pass the word. I'd really love to see one of my followers win! Please keep checking back for any future events, giveaways, and fun times! Always Keep Adventuring! Rachel ♥

As long as I can remember, I've loved fantasy. The first book series I remember being interested in was the Jewel Kingdom  series when I was in first grade. I was totally and completely obsessed, and spent all my parent's spare change on Scholastic book-order forms and book fairs. Later, in fourth grade, I was introduced to Harry Potter. What better time to be praying for your first owl than age eleven?! My disappointment upon not receiving said owl did not quench my thirst for new magical adventures, however. As I grew older, I developed such a deeply ingrained appreciation for the written word. There isn't a genre I don't like... But, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and adventure  always  draw me back in. Of course, that admiration extends to movies and TV as well. I can't help but be obsessed with Game of Thrones (book and show . )   My love of Harry Potter  runs so deeply that it's basically a part of my soul (ahem, horcrux?) The cancellation of Firefly ...