By Margaret Y. Buapim
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WOW: How did you get your start in writing?
Regina: I've been writing since I was nine or ten years old. I began with poems and short stories, then wrote my first full novel in 2006. I wrote eleven books before I wrote my debut, but never queried them. I shared them with friends and posted online. My debut, The Art of Scandal, was my twelfth completed manuscript.
WOW: That’s a lot of writing before beginning August Lane. Are you primarily a romance writer?
Regina: Both of my novels are romance, but I've written across genres—contemporary fiction, fantasy, thrillers. Most of what I write has a love story at its heart, though. Romance was my gateway into both reading and writing, and I suspect all of my books will include some sort of love story.
WOW: Romance has a way of pulling us all in. In your acknowledgements, you say August Lane is a second-chance romance inspired by the song "Belinda" by Ben Folds. Can you describe for WOW readers how you developed the main characters?
Regina: "Belinda" gave me the hook for the story. The song is about a man who has to perform his only hit, a song he wrote about a woman he betrayed. That situation stuck with me, and I started thinking about what that would do to a person psychologically. Then I started “what if” brainstorming. What if she's the one who actually wrote the song, and he lied about it? That's how the premise was born.
I develop characters by figuring out what's wrong with them first. What happened in their past that brought them to where they are when the book starts? In romance, I focus on why they're alone and what's keeping them that way. Then I figure out why meeting their love interest matters. What is it about this person, in these circumstances, that inspires them to grow and change? My shorthand for this process is 'why this, why them, why now?'
“I develop characters by figuring out what's wrong with them first. What happened in their past that brought them to where they are when the book starts? ... What is it about this person, in these circumstances, that inspires them to grow and change? My shorthand for this process is 'why this, why them, why now?'”
WOW: When you read August Lane you can see how this writing process plays out fully. Two troubled souls who rescue each other. The story dives deep into country music and overlooked Black country singers, but it also explores alcoholism, family violence, grief, and self-discovery. What kind of research went into making those themes realistic?
Regina: I research extensively for every book. I read about southern history, musician memoirs, books about living with complex PTSD, alcoholism, and grief. I interviewed Black country singers about their experiences in the industry. I took online classes on songwriting and studied music theory. All this was ongoing. I didn't stop researching until I turned in the final draft.
Some of the book is drawn from my personal experience. I'm a Black woman who grew up in a small town in Arkansas. I'm a mother. My family has experienced pain and trauma. The book isn’t based on my life, but a big part of writing for me is writing what I know emotionally and writing from a place of empathy.
WOW: Writing from a place of empathy. That’s big. Its palpable. The small town of Arcadia where much of the book plays out is so real but the characters are what make it come to life. How long did it take you to complete August Lane?
Regina: I began writing it in 2021 and completed three drafts before submitting it to my editor in 2024.
WOW: Three drafts? I loved the final product. Pivoting a bit, It seems you have a full schedule daily. What is your writing process?
Regina: I spend considerable time developing a book before I start drafting. I write a logline first to ensure I have a high-concept, easily pitchable idea. Then I draft a longer pitch to ensure all the key elements are present—character, goals, motivation, conflict, and stakes. Next comes character development, which is when research begins in earnest. Once I have a decent idea of who the book is about, I do a broad outline of the story beats. Depending on the complexity of the book, I may start drafting at this point. If it has a lot of moving pieces (like August Lane), I'll create a document that's a cross between a detailed outline and a zero draft. Once that's done, I use it to start drafting the book.
I have a full-time job, so I have to squeeze my writing into the margins of my day. When I'm drafting, I get up every day at 5:30 a.m. to write. My minimum is twenty minutes of uninterrupted writing every day. After twenty minutes, if I have some momentum going, I write more. If not, I stop there. On weekends, I do at least three twenty-minute sprints with the same rule: write more if the words are flowing, but stop if they’re not. This is how I avoid burnout. Eventually, I’ll have a finished book. I try to revise that draft at least once before sending it out for feedback.
“My minimum is twenty minutes of uninterrupted writing every day. After twenty minutes, if I have some momentum going, I write more. If not, I stop there. On weekends, I do at least three twenty-minute sprints with the same rule: write more if the words are flowing, but stop if they’re not. This is how I avoid burnout.”
WOW: So no excuses for our readers, even with a full time job, it can be done! But you are very detailed in your approach. That can lead to nothing but success. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot since the debut of your first novel. What has been the most eye-opening experience since you became a published author?
Regina: How opaque the industry is. It's surprising how little an author knows about what's happening behind the scenes with their own book. Clear communication isn't a priority, which is unusual for an industry that relies so heavily on words.
WOW: That must have taken some adjustment on your part. What advice would you give to an unagented writer trying to get their work published?
Regina: Focus on three things: writing, reading, and networking. Writing is something you should always be trying to improve. I never stop reading craft books and pushing myself to become a better writer. Reading reminds me why I decided to do this in the first place. It keeps me inspired and fills my creative well. Networking is essential because this business is built on relationships. Find friends who will give you honest feedback and remind you of who you are when the business makes you forget.
WOW: That’s great advice to remember especially about honing your skills by reading craft books and networking. Wrapping up, what would you like readers to know about you as a writer?
Regina: I write stories for people who have made mistakes and had to figure out how to forgive themselves and move forward. If you've ever ruined a friendship, broken a heart, or forgotten to pick up your kid from daycare, my books may be for you.
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My thanks to Regina Black for chatting with me about writing. To find out more about Regina and August Lane, visit her website, or purchase a copy of the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org.
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Margaret Buapim is the author of Ring Envy, a Christian fiction adult contemporary novel. She has conducted several interviews for WOW! Women on Writing, including New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe, author Karen Brown Tyson, author Brittney Morris, and author Denise Williams. Connect with Ms. Buapim online at www.authormyb.com or Twitter @YBuapim.
