Written Interview
Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
Hi! I’m Regina. I’m 44… I live in Downtown Denver and I’m the author of the Falling Series. Falling Backward and Falling Free are contemporary romances series loosely based on an Ibiza trip I took many moons ago, and a person I met who ultimately changed my life and the path I was on.
There will be a third book! However, I have been working on this series since 2021 and I just want to give myself a little break before I go into book three. I also want to do things differently for the final installment. I’m not exactly sure what that entails, I just know it’s time.
My typical day all depends on the day! Ha. When I am not writing? That’s funny. I am always writing either for my series, my blog or in my journal. And, if I am not doing that, I am working on something pertaining to my series like creating a post or reel, promoting it, or editing something. My brain doesn’t stop. I wish it did, but it doesn’t. I overthink and I have a million thoughts a second. Writing seems to be the only thing that silences it for a little while. Lol.
I’m like most people though. I work and have hobbies and interests. Honestly, I am terrible at sitting still. I don’t watch a lot of TV and I am trying to do my best at not letting myself get sucked into scrolling for hours. I read, I exercise, I travel. I don’t know… I do what most humans do: work, take care of responsibilities, then relax and have fun. Balance… I guess.
I started taking Ukulele lessons. So, that’s new and it’s been interesting. I never thought I would be able to play an instrument.
What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
Well, like I said in my brief little intro, my first book was inspired by my own personal experiences from Ibiza. But, to be fair, that barely scratches the surface. This series—my first book—was years in the making and manifested because of multiple things lining up at the right time and moment. Tiny significant pieces leading to where IT ALL CLICKED… This is what I was supposed to do and this is the story I was supposed to tell.
The backstory is a long one and honestly, sometimes I feel it is so much more interesting than the fictional tale I created. So, maybe one day I will go into great detail and right a bio on how this all came about but for all intents and purposes, and the most recent reasons here is the condensed version…
My first novel and the series that follows was inspired by the actor Alex Høgh Andersen who kept me entertained during the entire pandemic lockdown. A memory from Ibiza that was triggered after watching a movie about Ibiza, lots of music, another author, and the pandemic itself.
I’m not really sure what got me into writing, I have done it for as long as I can remember. I think I just picked up a pen or pencil one day and started writing and never stopped. Kind of the same way musicians do with instruments.
Writing was my creative outlet. My entertainment. My go-to. My therapy. It’s been such the main character in my life that I am not sure it’s never not been the MC.
How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
For this series my main characters were mostly planned. Alex was a head nod to my memory and the actor who inspired me during the pandemic. Liz was a head nod to a couple of extremely supportive girlfriends, and Hope took on many traits of myself. Even Gabriel from book two and Mark from both books are loosely based on other people I know.
I’ve written short stories and some of my characters were random, but honestly, I feel as a writer, the people you know somehow always creep into your character building. They are not completely the character but there are influences. That’s why there is a running joke among authors about them killing off certain characters. We didn’t want to do it, someone just made us mad and the character closest to that someone had to die. It had to be done. Hahaha.
Believe me, there have been many times during this whole process where I wanted to turn this romance trilogy into sci-fi novel and all my characters except Liz died in some tragic apocalyptic event.
What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
I don’t really have a favorite genre. I like them all and will give any a chance. Some of my favorites books that I recommend anyone to read: Women by Charles Bukowski. Just Friends by Patti Smith. Country Under My Skin by Gioconda Belli. This Is Not a Lovesong by Sarabeth Purcell. Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler. Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins, and Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho… Just to name a few.
To be super honest though, nowadays, when anyone asks about a book to read, I suggest my own. I used to be timid about this. I used to doubt myself and this series when it came to promoting it but I have since gotten over that. I didn’t put this much energy into a series or work this hard to have my books ignored and be shy about my accomplishments. I know that might bother some people but in the past few years I have learned some valuable lessons: 1) I am not shrinking myself because of someone’s insecurity. 2) No one else is going to promote my book if I don’t believe in it or promote first.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
Hahaha…. Do you really want me to answer this question? There are a few and they are equally tough lessons. I am pretty positive most authors have felt the same way.
- When strangers support you, but “friends” can’t be bothered. I will never understand this and it has been one of the hardest pills I a have swallow. I don’t know what it’s about but there is something to be said about supporting your buds especially when they have supported you. There is something to be said about putting your bitterness aside and watching someone have a glow-up moment. Life isn’t a competition.
- The need for a social media presence yet that fan base is often shrouded in a system that pays to play. On one side of the coin, it’s awesome for indie writers because $5-$10 can go a long way. But, on the other side it’s so tough to get noticed because of the money involved. Let’s say you have $50-$100 to spend on boosting your content and you can also afford to subscribe to every editing, reel-creating app out there. Someone like me with this tiny budget and uses what I can, can’t compete for the algorithm. Not to mention, larger names or larger creators take up most of the algorithm as is so it becomes even harder for the smaller creators to gain traction. I will say this, if you ever scratch your head at how something became a trend or how a video went viral rest assured there was marketing involved and it did not happen organically. I’m not against it. I am just more aware of it. I boost my content as well because that’s the point—to get people engaged enough to purchase a copy. I know my book series is a good one. I have been told multiple times. I also know it’s not for everyone and it won’t change the world, but it deserves its time to shine. I am waiting for my time to shine!
- Having patience! I am not a very patient person, never have been. But, this series has forced me to sit back and wait. I don’t know one author who wants this craft to remain a hobby, but until it crosses the threshold, I have to wait. Being a full-time author is my dream. My goal! I want to be financially sustained from the books I write. Coming up with material isn’t hard. Promoting isn’t difficult. Hoping to be seen is! Starting one more social page to go into the void is depressing. Lol, like y’all… READ MY BOOKS! Please and thank you. I am staying positive though… I mean I look at it this way, every day I gain more and more traction… AND NOTHING WORTH IT EVER CAME EASY… or right way. Most importantly, I have manifested everything I want in life, it just took time. I know that. So, I have to remind myself of this every time I get antsy. I just have to say two words: NORMAN REEDUS.
What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
I usually start with plot points. I write down all the ideas I have and then go from there. Most of the time all these notes are in my phone. For real, thoughts pop in my head at the most obscure times so I tend to be all over the place when I write. This chapter at that time. That paragraph because of this song. Oh wait, it’s 2AM I have a thought, let’s write that down!
In my first book, I wrote the ending before anything else. I knew I wanted it to be a series so I ended it on a cliffhanger. I was told recently though that every book—even if it is a series needs to stand on its own—so I took that approach with book two. I mean, it still is left on a cliffhanger per se, but it could stand on its own if it needed to. Book three is the last of the series and it will definitely stand alone and wrap everything up. Unless between here and there, my series catches on and readers need more, and I promise every character won’t go out in a zombie fire.
What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
“We listen and we don’t judge.” Haha. TBH I don’t care if you judge. So in my first book, I was told multiple times that my main female character (Hope) seems a little weak or needy because she focused on this incredible connection she made years prior. She never forgot about it. Some didn’t understand why she cared about this memory or this person the way she did… for as long as she did but my favorite was, “I would never do that?”
Okay? But, I think you are lying and maybe you wouldn’t be like this now because you are older and wiser, but there has definitely been a time in your life when you were vulnerable to feelings and a connection to someone that you couldn’t let go of. But hey, if your heart is that hard… more power to you.
It’s a romance series about second chances and meeting someone who imprints themselves in someone else’s soul. Much like life, my main character didn’t get to pick and choose when and how that happened or the feelings she could or couldn’t have when she met this person. I wanted to show that. I wanted all of my characters to be relatable and vulnerable. I also wanted to show that a person can grown and change with each book just like in real life. In my opinion, vulnerability is not a weakness. Holding love for someone—even if they don’t love you back doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. Life is complicated and messy and it’s all because other people are involved.
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have a heart because it would have been sparred so much heartache, but then would I have had anything to write about? Probably not.
What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
There isn’t just one. There are two.
- People believing that what you are writing is completely about them. This goes for anything I write or I have shared as a writer. I get that most people think the world revolves around them but I assure you us writers are not spending all our energy on writing a story solely about you. You might have influenced a thought or two but as a whole, IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! Calm your little ego down. Lol.
- People inserting their unsolicited advice on how you should do something pertaining to your work when they have never written a book much less exposed themselves to a world full of critics, including themselves.
What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
Being a successful writer means I can do this full-time. It means I won’t have another job! I can financially support myself. I can write wherever and my books come from the places I have been and the experiences I have had. I want to grow old doing this and when I am done doing that, I want to travel around the world and host writers’ retreats. *Hat tip to Wendy Rohm.
Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
Tough, emotional, expanding, a game of tug of war, an initiation from the Universe—is this what you really want??? A test in perseverance and patience and an understanding that Norman Reedus wouldn’t let me give up even if wanted to.
Yes, I could pull that story off. I am a writer after all.
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About
Regina’s path to becoming a romance writer was shaped by unexpected moments: a memory that sparked her creativity, an actor who kept her entertained, and a quiet pandemic pause that revealed her true calling. What started as a passion for storytelling soon became a professional journey to share heartfelt, relatable romances. In April 2022, she launched The Falling Series, and with the release of the second book, Falling Free, Regina continues to captivate readers with her tales of friendship, resilience, and second chances. Based in Denver, Colorado, Regina crafts stories that explore personal growth, the power of choice, and the transformative nature of love.
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