htaccess rewrite question

Howdy all,
I’m using WordPress as an html page generator. I’m trying to create an htaccess file that will redirect calls for index.php to index.html (a static page), but not for calls to index.php?q=xx. I’m aware of WordPress’ ability to serve a static page as the homepage, but I’d like do hardcode this in htaccess instead — too many DOM calls are getting confused when WordPress serves the code.

Thus, can anyone suggest an appropriate htaccess?
I’ve tried a simple`RewriteRule / index.html
RewriteRule index.php index.html` but it doesn’t do it.

Thanks!