As of 2026, I’m writing in Scrivener. It keeps me distraction free. I have folders set up to keep a whole series in one Scrivener doc, so I can go back and forth between books as inspiration strikes. I do not write in order, often skipping all along a book, so my last pass of the book typically features on checking continuity and adding in details that I decided later, so it reads cohesively.

I have ADHD and anything that feels restrictive, like writing in order, tends to make me freeze. By letting myself work between the whole series, I’m having a lot more fun and joy in the process. It does make deadlines difficult though, so I often move them four times before a book actually publishes.

Even though I write out of order, I do add them in order to a Google Doc for my editor as I work. If I’ve written chapter 1-5, 10, 22, and 33, I’ll add in 1-5 to the document and wait on the rest. Once I eventually do 6, that goes in the doc too. Having those final passes aside helps me see the work as a whole in another format, where I can better check my continuity. I use label colors in Scrivener to note which chapters I’ve put in Google Docs, so I know not to tweak anything in Scrivener for it. If I did, then the chapters wouldn’t match, and I’d likely lose work.

With my limited time, most of my writing is done on the weekends. I focus more on admin tasks and marketing during the week. All of my books have been written while I had a full-time job outside of writing and a busy family life.

By the time I’m done with a book, the final draft lives only in Google Docs and in my formatting software, Vellum. I do all formatting myself, it’s one of my favorite parts of the publishing process.

Sounds complicated, but it works for me!

I currently offer paid beta reading services on Fiverr, where I’ll read your romance or fantasy book draft and provide feedback. There are two options, one where I send you a feedback letter, and another where I also comment in your document.

I love to read, but I can’t read by request with my busy schedule, unless it’s for beta reading.

That is true! Rachel H. Drake is a penname. You can also read books from my fantasy penname, R. K. Sampson. Having multiple names helps me differentiate my brands, because they each have different feels and expectations. My Rachel brand has more cozy elements and magic focus, while my fantasy works as R. K. Sampson are more high stakes, plot twist heavy, and don’t guarantee happily ever afters.

My actual name is Rebecca! But you can call me Rachel, I answer to both.