Author Spotlight: Regan Claire
I really fell in love with Gathering Water. I wanted to get to know Regan and so I asked her a couple questions for the author spotlight. It's super exciting!!
What gave you the idea for The Gathering Trilogy?
Gathering Water was born of a few different things. I think the thing that comes to mind first is the setting. A lot of this series takes place in my hometown on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. When I decided to actually follow-through on writing my first book, I wasn’t in a really good “head-place.” Writing was a desperate attempt for me to, ahem, find myself, as cliche as that sounds, and it was really natural for me to write about a lost girl finding her place in the world. Since I felt a lot like a lost girl at the time, I wrote my story based where I grew up; it was comforting to be able to go back there, even if it was only in my imagination, when I started my writing journey. A “mother’s embrace” sort of thing, I suppose. Once I had the setting and the basic “girl goes home” idea, I started thinking about all the lore from the east coast that could be pulled from for Della’s story. Not that most of it is recognizable, but there are snippets here and there if you know what you’re looking for.
Another part of the story, when it comes to the romance subplot, was inspired by my daughters. I read a lot of YA. I love the genre, a lot. But so much of it has insta-love and the story is defined by the heroine’s relationship to her guy. There’s no problem with that, in fiction. In fact, I love a lot of those stories. But I believe that a woman (or man’s) life story is more than their “love story.” We’re more, as people, than who we fall in love with. So, I wanted to make sure that this story was about Della and how she comes into her own. I like calling it a “coming of age” tale. And sure, there IS romance. A little more in the third book than the first two. But this will always be Della’s story first. I’ll put my soap box away, now. Haha.
I think my favorite character is Dove, How fun was it to write such an awesome character?
Sigh. I love Dove. He is such a good guy. Have you ever met one of those genuinely good people? The kind that, while not perfect, you can tell have no real darkness in their hearts? I’ve met three. Not that I only know two good people, I know plenty. But two that are genuinely good — the type of person you feel honored to have met in your life. Dove is that kind of guy. He’s a rare breed, and I love him for it. Writing him makes me tap into that inner “good person.” Occasionally, I’ll think to myself “what would Dove do,” like he’s my little imaginary Jiminy Cricket.
Will there be more Della and Dove in the next one? please say yes!
Both of them will, of course, be in all three books. Dove was a big part of Della becoming who she is meant to be. Haha, I’m not sure how to answer this question without giving away spoilers. I suppose a big fat “trust me,” is in order. There are definitely a lot of obstacles in their friendship, and I hope that everyone will be satisfied Della and Dove handles those obstacles in a way that is honest with themselves.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Another cliche answer to that one. My daughter’s inspire me daily. My oldest has special needs. She struggles everyday to do things we take for granted — and she does it with a smile on her face. She’s overcome more, and showed more strength in her six years than most people will in their entire lives. I can’t expect her, or my younger daughter, to go through their life as strong women if I’m not willing to do the same. How will they ever follow their dreams — or aspire for greatness — unless I’m willing to show them the way? Who will teach them what it means to be happy and healthy, if not me? So, yeah. My daughters are my inspiration. They’re the driving force behind everything I do, even when I’m doing something for myself. Because I need them to grow up knowing it’s okay to pursue your own joy in life.
If you could chose just two books to take with you on a deserted island, what would they be?
Ouch. You’re not asking the easy ones, are you? Just two books. Two single books. Okay-okay, I think I’ve got it. I won’t even cheat and say an omnibus for a favorite series. Book one — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Because Harry Potter, that’s why.
Book two — The Mummy, by Anne Rice. I love her writing. She has a very poetic way with words, and this is one of my favorite books by her. I would have picked one of her vampire books… but couldn’t figure out which one I’d want to bring.
Actually, I was introduced to both authors around the same time, and that’s when I really fell in love with reading. I always liked to read, of course, but no author had ever affected me the way these two women did with their words until that time. They opened up a new world. I think it was reading Harry Potter and the Vampire Chronicles that showed me what I wanted to be when I grew up. So, I can think of no better company if I were marooned away. Much better than a volleyball, in any case.
Author Bio
A Tidewater girl born and bred, my first friend and love was the Atlantic. Growing up being told the legends about Pirates and American Natives common in coastal VA and NC, coupled with being an only child, did wonders for my imagination; I’ve had one foot in fantasy-land ever since, a trait my dear husband heroically endures (and one I secretly hope my daughters have inherited). We moved inland to Nashville while I was entering tweenhood and not a day goes by that I don’t miss my childhood playmate and her crashing waves. Nashville has her perks though, namely an incredible family and two hilarious daughters. The insane mutt-dog and the stray cat that refuses to leave the porch aren’t too bad either. I love fairy tales A LOT, teen movies (preferably with dancing or singing), read entirely too much, and am constantly late
Links
Website (currently under construction, but should be up by monday)
Writing Group (Rebel Writers) website