Meet Rachel Hutcheson | Writer/Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Hutcheson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Either bravely or stupidly, I never really thought about it. I have always worked for myself. My husband and I have had all kinds of businesses, from manufacturing 6-foot-tall balloons that bounce and spin to sewing handbags with vintage fabric and selling them, painting houses, making and selling jewelry, and selling his original art. The list goes on.

I like creating my own schedule. I like being in charge of my days. When you work for yourself, you are forced to go out and make something happen or go broke. It makes you figure things out. Working for yourself isn’t for everyone, but once you work for yourself, it is hard to imagine working for someone else.

Every artist has to work for themselves. No one looks for an artist the way they look for a plumber or a financial advisor. As a writer, you have to create your career.

You have to find people who like what you write, and are interested in reading it. I am a quirky and funny writer. I also think my work makes a person ponder a bit.

I decided to write the way I write and get my work to people sink or swim. I sell online and in person. My in-person selling is going well for me. It’s a great way to find out if people like what I write and if it moves them. I also love meeting people and having a personal connection.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I write whimsical, irreverent, and humorous books, stories, poetry, and cards. My goal is to lift people up and make them laugh. I like to write about the wonder of life, love, and being human.

Personally, I’ve never gotten over the magic of being alive. The fact that there is a universe at all is hardly comprehensible if you look at the odds.

“If you are here, I’ll be here to notice that you are here. And you will know you exist because I will tell you that I see you.
I will know I exist because you will be there to see me.
Not everyone needs such reassurances, but then not everyone is awake enough to see the dream.” -Rachel Hutcheson

When I began my writing journey, I wrote for years without showing anyone what I wrote. I wrote because I wanted to be a writer. Later, I wrote songs in Nashville for over ten years. It was a blast, and I learned about writing from really incredible writers.

A song is a three-minute movie. I had the chance to write with lots of singer/songwriters and had many songs recorded by independent artists. I still write songs sometimes, but my main goal is to put my own thoughts and ideas into the world. When you write for someone else, you need to write what they want to say. I realized I want to write what I want to say.

On another note, I think life is simple, and we have complicated it to excess. I like to uncomplicate things. I came across this quote a few months ago, and it spoke to me in a big way as an artist and writer.

“An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.” – Charles Bukowski

I have published two humorous books of stories, poetry, and observations called The Black Sheep Rebel Girl books on Amazon. Readers have said my writing reminds them of Anthony Bourdain, Ogden Nash, Patty Smith, Daria, Diablo Cody, Steven Wright, Woody Allen, Luna Lovegood, Richard Brautigan, and Jerry Seinfeld. I just write the stuff in my head and hope it makes people laugh.

My books sell online, but I recently started selling them in person at festivals and crafts shows in a grassroots movement. A writer sits in their room and writes alone. Going out and selling my work has been great for many reasons.
The best part is I watch people read one of my stories or cards and see their responses. It’s fun, and I am selling lots of books and expanding my mailing list.

People also tell me their stories and why they are buying my books and cards. It’s an honor.

One of my goals as a writer is to encourage others to write. I recently published four prompted journals for moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas in a “Tell Us About Your Life” series on Amazon. The journals have over 185 questions to help a person share their stories. I love the idea of families having a keepsake book filled with their parents, and grandparent’s memories.

In my opinion, we have gone too far with technology and social media. I am going old school and reaching out in person. I am having conversations with people. I love it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I don’t live in LA now, but I did live there for ten years and I loved it.

If I had a friend visiting me in LA I would take them to Griffith Park and the observatory to wander around. Then I would drive them up to Mulholland and through the Hollywood Hills. On another day, we would have to go to Venice Beach (and the canals,) Santa Monica, and then finish off by walking a beach in Malibu.
I love the Getty, and I think they would too, so we would spend an afternoon there.
My husband and I always liked Zankou Chicken on Sunset Blvd. It isn’t glamorous, but it sure is tasty. Don’t forget the garlic sauce with the chicken. I would check in advance to see if there was a good concert at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s one of the loveliest venues anywhere. On Sunday morning we would head to The Melrose Trading Post. This cool flea market is a great spot for people watching, and fun finds. I’d love to take them up the coast to Santa Barbara for a day, too. The drive is beautiful and not to be missed. If they haven’t been, I would take them to Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood sign. They remind you how much you love movies. I would also spend time in the sunshine enjoying the beautiful California weather hiking at Runyon Canyon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this Shoutout to my husband/artist Bob Hutcheson, and my beautiful mother for encouraging me to write and create in a never ending flow of support and love.

Website: www.rachelhutchesonwriter.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksheeprebelgirl/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hutcheson-09539234/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HutchesonRachel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelhutchesonwriter/