Author Interview: Regan Taylor

Today I get to introduce you guys to another new author, Regan Taylor. Regan's book, Return to the Round Table: The Photograph comes out in August. We're just going to give her a jump start.

Regan, Would you please tell us a little about yourself?
Well, I live in Marin County, California. I have a day job in San Francisco and begin my days by crossing over the Golden Gate bridge where every day is a different tapestry of color. I have three furfaced children, commonly called cats – Mel, Missy and Bogie.

I love cats. We have a three-legged indoor kitty, named Kitty.
When did you first become interested in writing?
In 2004 when I met Jewel Adams and she was starting one of her "kick butt" weeks – 1,000 words a day for 7 days. I had such a good time doing it I never stopped.

That's a good goal, 1,000 words per day.
Can you tell us a little about the ups and downs on your journey to publication?
You know, I've been very fortunate in my journey so far. I've had some outstanding publishers and never had any problems having a book accepted at exactly the right place for it. There were disappointments when a publisher I thought was a dream publisher may have rejected one, but when it was placed it became clear that the house it went to was the best for it. I was with two publishers that went belly up; neither handled very professionally and that has made me cautious about where I submit.

I bet.
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?
I'm a punster however, most of my books come to me in dreams. I'll dream a scene and write it the next day and so on until the book is done. If I seem to stall, which generally does happen at about 40,000 words, I ask for a dream and will generally dream the closing chapter. As odd as that may sound, it is a huge help to me because it shows me where I need to take the story. Fortunately for me, I dream in a linear fashion so the books tends to make sense.

You may or may not be aware, but my first two books are the product of a dream. I have vivid, and often interesting dreams, so this makes complete sense to me. I guess our imaginations are always at work.
Tell us about your latest release?
The Photograph, book 1 of the Return to the Roundtable series is due out with Desert Breeze in August. Based on the old superstition that a camera could capture your spirit, I have a Lakota warrior who ends up in modern day Napa. My cat, MaiTai, has a prominent role in the story as "Taister." As to the Roundtable – remember the old lore that in our time of greatest need Arthur and the knights will rise?

What inspired you to write this story?
MaiTai. He was my familiar and an inspiration. This was my way of honoring him.

Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you?
Hmmm. Carrie is a devoted reader. Books are her passion and she totally and completely immerses herself in each book she reads. That immersion leads her to the hero of the piece. She has a totally by the book, eerrrrr literal roommate, Molly, who sees things in black and white. No grays for that lady. But her level-headedness is exactly the balance Carrier needs. Mr. Merle is a wily elderly gent with a mysterious past that is revealed in later stories. The villain of the piece is Dean and the character is a carbon copy of someone I used to work with.

Hmm...yes, we writers can do that. Be on your best behavior around us. Lol! What do you hope to be able to accomplish through your writing?
Any long term goals?
To entertain. I recently took part in a discussion where the icons of romance writing, Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss were main topics of the conversation. Forty years after Ms. Rogers debuted Sweet Savage Love readers are still reading that book. It was for, for me, the seminal book on what a romance novel should be. Ms. Woodiwiss' The Flame and The Flower were a close second. Forty years from now I hope a reader says my books helped make them a fan of romance.

I understand that. I feel that way about Francine Rivers. Redeeming Love was published more than twenty years ago, and this past Christmas I noticed that bookstores were stocking it like crazy still.
Any ideas for future projects?
The Roundtable series has 15 books, I have the third book in my Bride series to complete, there are 8 more in my McKenna series, 2 more in Descendants of Earth, another Eyes series book and a spring off from America's Hero in the works. I'm contracted with eXtasy for 5 more shorts in the tarot and witches tools series. So loads!

Wow!
Okay, I ask every guest a bit of trivia. So, what's your favorite movie, food, and place to vacation? And, you got any other interesting hobbies?
My favorite movie is a tie between Gone with the Wind and Final Countdown (starring the USS Nimitz). Food would be chocolate with a latte. My favorite vactions are the ones where I'm home alone – no roommate, just me and the cats – writing and reading. I'm an avid reader and can't say no to Tess Gerristen, Kelley Armstrong and Deanna Raybourn.

Did you just say Tess Gerristen! I love her! Btw, Kindle recently offered one of her books for free. You bet I got it!
Other than your book, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along? Tell the ones you love you love them; once they are gone you can never hold them again.

Aw...and I know you're thinking of Molly. For my followers, Molly is Regan's cat who recently passed. Regan has twenty-two years worth of memories with Molly, and losing her has been very difficult. She recently wrote a post in honor of Molly, and it's so heart-warming I'd really like to share it. So here is a link to Regan's post on her blog. http://vivaciousvixensofromance.blogspot.com/2010/06/heaven-gained-angel-today.html

Since many of my followers read mainly Inspirational Fiction, I do want to add that Regan is a talented writer, who writes secular romance. I do this so there will be no confusion. I have always hosted secular writers as well as Inspirational writers on this blog, but with the release of my book, No Other -- which is Inspirational -- I've gained a number of followers. Recently, after hosting another wonderful secular writer, a reviewer gave her book a low rating because it wasn't Inspirational. It wasn't advertised as such on my blog, and I'm not certain if the review was a result of the interview on my blog, but just so everyone is clear, I feel that it's necessary to make this announcement.

Regan, thank you so much for joining me today! Best wishes to you and your furry family.