“I already had a beginning and end in mind. I knew I wanted to tell a story about a certain character, had the basic plot worked out in my head and sat down and just started writing it.
“The most important thing you have to keep in mind is the story you have to narrate and the need to tell it. After that, don’t think too much, take up your pen to paper or keyboard to type and begin.”
Some inhibitions such as one’s educational qualification and grammar skills, the author says, often discourage several people from even attempting to give it a go.
“Just because you haven’t attended a university, does not give you a reason not to write. With practice, everything gets better.
“Besides, these days you have easy access to spelling and grammar software such as Grammarly, among others.”
Technology is now a big player in the publishing industry, she says.
“It’s great for self-editing and proofreading purposes. That’s why these days you hear more about the rise of self-publishing and indie publishing houses.
“There are even tech programs that help with the copy layout and design the metadata. So, do not let things like spelling and grammar weigh you down.”
Regina pointed out that the reason why Aotearoa author Witi Ihimaera was successful was because he stuck to his roots and authored books in his own vernacular language.
“I love reading his books because his dialogues really connect with the audiences. They are not constructed in a way that is necessarily grammatically correct, but based on how people react in real life — because verbal language differs from the written form.”
As an author, she advices any new writer to proof someone else’s work.
“It will help you become a critical reader and get a 360 degree view of what’s involved in the writing process.”
Regina says, its also crucial to research which publishing house is interested in producing the genre you are working on.
“After you connect with one, they’ll normally ask for a short biography and synopsis of your book. In case you do get rejected, don’t give up. Rather try to reach out to other publications.
“Remember even JK Rowling had to deal with a lot before her books became a hit.”
The author said she was glad there was positive shift happening regarding Maori, Pasifika and Asian women taking the momentum to put pen to paper.
“I was previously distressed to learn through some article on the low number
of these women publishing their stories, but it seems there is a change and increased participation at the moment.”
Regina says interested writers could join in with local writers’ clubs such as the Tairāwhiti Writers’ Hub which interconnects all writers throughout Tairāwhiti.
As her final message, Regina says, “If you have a story you desire to tell, please do, because there is no one else who will ever be able to tell the story the way you want to from your perspective. Additionally it’s also a thing that your upcoming generation will remember you by.”
