I'd like to welcome Regina Andrews to my blog today. Regina is multipublished author with several books through different houses. She is also a fellow acfw member, Desert Breeze author and inspirational romance writer.
SW: I feel like we have a lot in common, Regina. Would you mind telling us a little about yourself?
RA: Gladly! I am a native New Englander,
born in Rhode Island, and grew up near the ocean in a very happy, loving, close-knit family. Always loved school, music and the outdoors but I was never good at sports, lol! Currently I live on the East Side of Providence and am Ecopy Manager for Ross-Simons Jewelry. My husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary in June, and 3 weeks ago we went to the shelter and brought home a new "daughter", Tiana, a 2-year old calico mix.
SW: Love cats! When did you first become interested in writing?
RA: Right from the get-go. Before I went to school, my mother read with me every day. Boy, was that a special time. Then, right before I started first grade I jumped out of a tree and broke my left arm. Couldn't wait to tell that story to anyone and everyone, and I think that's where it all started.
SW: What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?
RA: Oh, romance, romance, romance! And inspirational romance, with the extra dimension of God's presence, is my absolute favorite. The world needs more of God's message of happiness and love! Also I enjoy reading biographies and thrillers.
SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?
RA: The ups really carried me through the downs. I've met great writing friends through all the groups I've been associated with through the years. The downs were all the rejections. But that taught me acceptance; and the frustration of knowing that I am really good strengthened my resolve. My big up was the fact that my first acceptance occurred on the same day as my parents wedding anniversary. I still tear up when I remember how that felt.
SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?
RA: Usually the heroine comes to me first with her story and I take it from there. It's important to listen to her, so I disassociate myself and become just the camera lens through which her story is told. Then after she tells me her story, I do go back and research details for accuracy so readers don't get derailed from the emotion by inaccuracies or sloppy construction.
SW: Tell us about your latest release?
RA: Currently Destiny's Designs is available at Desert Breeze Publishing. It is an inspirational romance about an interior designer based in Newport, RI, with various locals around the world. It's about learning to "let go, let God."
SW: What inspired you to write this?
RA: I actually worked as an Assistant Interior Designer and saw some really well-off folks who were starved emotionally, even though there was so much beauty and opulence around them. God's love, once they opened their hearts to it, filled the void they were experiencing.
SW: Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you? Also, tell us about the setting and why you chose it?
RA: My heroine, Lisa Machon, loves beauty and security, yet her life has been filled with chaos and upheaval. As a result, she tends to try and control as much of her life as possible. (She and I share a love for interior design, and the happy world she tries to maintain is the happy world I come from.) Neil Lamont, the hero, is a carefree sailor who seems to have no control or governors on his life. (Haven't we all know – and swooned – over a guy like that?) They both see in each other the opposite characteristics of their own make-up. They open their hearts to God's word and to His love, and together, they enjoy the world of happiness and love that I wish everyone could have. Newport is close to home. The other locales – Paris, Milan, the Algarve, Monaco – are all areas I have visited and love very much.
SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?
RA: I really hope that folks would be heartened by my books, and their belief in God and the power of love would be elevated. I'd love to make my readers happier. Long term, I aspire to write full-time, always improving of course, increase my readership and share the joys of a faith-directed life. I'd love to hear from my readers about how my books touched their lives.
SW: Any ideas for future projects?
RA: Yes, I have an Inspirational Romance series in development right now and have just finished the first book in the series, Light of the Heart.
SW: Any other hobbies or interests to share?
RA: Well, I love to travel and hope to visit San Francisco in the fall. Mini golf is fun and I sing in the choir at church. Shopping, of course, is my number one hobby, lol! Seriously, I am quite involved in InSight, a non-profit devoted to the visually impaired. I have a radio show w/them and read the newspaper and current events on the week-ends.
SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?
RA: Always learn, always be grateful, always trust God and listen to your heart and always ask questions and grow…Most of all, don't ever be afraid of anything, just jump off that cliff and remember – you won't fall, you'll fly!
RA: Gladly! I am a native New Englander,
born in Rhode Island, and grew up near the ocean in a very happy, loving, close-knit family. Always loved school, music and the outdoors but I was never good at sports, lol! Currently I live on the East Side of Providence and am Ecopy Manager for Ross-Simons Jewelry. My husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary in June, and 3 weeks ago we went to the shelter and brought home a new "daughter", Tiana, a 2-year old calico mix.SW: Love cats! When did you first become interested in writing?
RA: Right from the get-go. Before I went to school, my mother read with me every day. Boy, was that a special time. Then, right before I started first grade I jumped out of a tree and broke my left arm. Couldn't wait to tell that story to anyone and everyone, and I think that's where it all started.
SW: What genre do you prefer writing/reading? And why does this genre appeal to you?
RA: Oh, romance, romance, romance! And inspirational romance, with the extra dimension of God's presence, is my absolute favorite. The world needs more of God's message of happiness and love! Also I enjoy reading biographies and thrillers.
SW: Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?
RA: The ups really carried me through the downs. I've met great writing friends through all the groups I've been associated with through the years. The downs were all the rejections. But that taught me acceptance; and the frustration of knowing that I am really good strengthened my resolve. My big up was the fact that my first acceptance occurred on the same day as my parents wedding anniversary. I still tear up when I remember how that felt.
SW: How do you approach a new project? Do you research and plot before you write? Or do you have a general idea and just go to it and see where it leads?
RA: Usually the heroine comes to me first with her story and I take it from there. It's important to listen to her, so I disassociate myself and become just the camera lens through which her story is told. Then after she tells me her story, I do go back and research details for accuracy so readers don't get derailed from the emotion by inaccuracies or sloppy construction.
SW: Tell us about your latest release?
RA: Currently Destiny's Designs is available at Desert Breeze Publishing. It is an inspirational romance about an interior designer based in Newport, RI, with various locals around the world. It's about learning to "let go, let God."
SW: What inspired you to write this?
RA: I actually worked as an Assistant Interior Designer and saw some really well-off folks who were starved emotionally, even though there was so much beauty and opulence around them. God's love, once they opened their hearts to it, filled the void they were experiencing.
SW: Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you? Also, tell us about the setting and why you chose it?
RA: My heroine, Lisa Machon, loves beauty and security, yet her life has been filled with chaos and upheaval. As a result, she tends to try and control as much of her life as possible. (She and I share a love for interior design, and the happy world she tries to maintain is the happy world I come from.) Neil Lamont, the hero, is a carefree sailor who seems to have no control or governors on his life. (Haven't we all know – and swooned – over a guy like that?) They both see in each other the opposite characteristics of their own make-up. They open their hearts to God's word and to His love, and together, they enjoy the world of happiness and love that I wish everyone could have. Newport is close to home. The other locales – Paris, Milan, the Algarve, Monaco – are all areas I have visited and love very much.
SW: What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing? Any long term goals?
RA: I really hope that folks would be heartened by my books, and their belief in God and the power of love would be elevated. I'd love to make my readers happier. Long term, I aspire to write full-time, always improving of course, increase my readership and share the joys of a faith-directed life. I'd love to hear from my readers about how my books touched their lives.
SW: Any ideas for future projects?
RA: Yes, I have an Inspirational Romance series in development right now and have just finished the first book in the series, Light of the Heart.
SW: Any other hobbies or interests to share?
RA: Well, I love to travel and hope to visit San Francisco in the fall. Mini golf is fun and I sing in the choir at church. Shopping, of course, is my number one hobby, lol! Seriously, I am quite involved in InSight, a non-profit devoted to the visually impaired. I have a radio show w/them and read the newspaper and current events on the week-ends.
SW: Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?
RA: Always learn, always be grateful, always trust God and listen to your heart and always ask questions and grow…Most of all, don't ever be afraid of anything, just jump off that cliff and remember – you won't fall, you'll fly!
Thank you very much for having me, Shawna.
You're welcome, Regina!
Regina is giving away a copy of her ebook, Destiny's Designs, Just leave a comment to enter the drawing. I'll anounce the winner Saturday.
For more about Regina and her books:
Hi Regina!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to meet another "romance, romance, romance" author! I had to chuckle over the fall from a tree and breaking your arm. Ouch!
Congrats on doing so well in this publishing field. Here's wishing for greater success. :)
Shawna and Regina, what a lovely interview. Regina, congrats on 13 years. I love Rhode Island. It's a very small state, but very picturesque. If you get to the LA in the fall, I'd love meet you! I know it's not easy to break a arm (I did myself when I was little!) but an incident like that can be very motivating.
ReplyDeleteDestiny's Designs sounds very interesting. It's already on my reading list because of the locale. Good luck and thanks for sharing your story.
Smiles
Steph
Good review - I like the concept of let go, let God.
ReplyDeletewsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com
I loved Destiny's Designs! Inspiring, magical read!! Dennise
ReplyDeleteHi Regina,
ReplyDeleteI loved having my mother read to me when I was a youngsters also. Your new book sounds very good, and I'd love to visit all those romantic places. Good luck with it.
Hi Friends, Thank you Shawna for having me today and thank you all for your nice comments. I was so shy and hesitant about visiting, but Shawna you made me feel right at home. Guess I had to "Let go" a little, right? :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know how they reconcile their difference in their career choices! Please enter me.
ReplyDeletedesertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Got all you guys entered.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Gina. It's my pleasure.
Sounds wonderful to grow up near the ocean! Congrats on your contracts. I didn't jump out of a tree but I fell out of one at age 19. I was getting a football out of the tree for my nephew. I didn't break anything but had to get stitches in my arm and face.
ReplyDeleteThat's scary and glad you only broke your arm and not anything else.
Another new author to me. I just love meeting new authors and hearing about new books to read. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
Hi and thank you to everyone who commented...and thank you, Shawna for your gracious hosting! Nice to hear from you all and hope you enjoy "Destiny's Designs"! Best, Regina
ReplyDeleteI gotcha down, Jo.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking over your blog. I found your profile on another blog I follow and I added myself to follow you. You are more than welcome to visit my blog and become a follower if you want to.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You, Ron