Regina Jeffers Tells All!

Sharon Lathan

Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga, a ten-volume sequel series to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

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[…] I delve into the topics for today I must first direct my lovely visitors to my Guest Author Spotlight with Regina Jeffers. Don’t miss a chance to get to know Regina and the incredible novels she […]

Regina Jeffers

I taught English for 40 years. At most American high schools, the sophomore year is World Literature, the junior year is American Lit., and the senior year is Brit Lit.

Dawn Harris

Really interesting interview. The films mentioned are all ones I love too! History was always my favourite subject at school – helped by the fact that our teacher used to talk as if he was actually there at the time, and would tell us things like how he advised Wellington what to do at the battle of Waterloo! He certainly knew how to keep our interest.

Dawn Harris

I couldn’t agree more. Gone with the Wind is one of my favourite books too, and I love Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Georgette Heyer.

Regina Jeffers

I noticed an article earlier today that says Austen is in, but American writers are out, in the newly adopted UK curriculum. I found that interesting.

Regina Jeffers

Oh, Dawn, how wonderful to have experienced a teacher who can bring life to subject matter! I am envious.

Dawn Harris

Yes, it was. He brought things to life, and I’m sure added inspiration to the interest I already had in history. Teachers make such a difference, don’t they. The good, and the bad. As for the UK curriculum, I really have no idea if what you say is true. Austen is unquestionable in, but I hadn’t heard that American writers were out, and I don’t see why they should be. My children have long left school, and now, so have my two grandchildren!!! I must ask the kids I coach at table tennis, and see what they say. If I can remember until September, as we don’t meet in the summer.

Regina Jeffers

Dawn, I recalled you were in Yorkshire. Here’s a snippet from the article:
Classics of American literature, including Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, have been dropped from the English literature GCSE syllabus following demands reportedly made by Michael Gove.
The Education Secretary said students ought to focus on works by British writers such as Jane Austen and Shakespeare, The Sunday Times reported.
OCR, one the UK’s biggest exam boards, told the newspaper: “Of Mice and Men, which Michael Gove really dislikes, will not be included. It was studied by 90 per cent of teenagers taking English literature GCSE in the past.
“Michael Gove said that was a really disappointing statistic. In the new syllabus 70-80 per cent of the books are from the English canon.”
But the reform has been criticised by academics, who have said it will deter students from pursuing the subject.

Here is the link from The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/michael-gove-axes-to-kill-a-mockingbird-and-other-american-classics-from-english-literature-gcse-syllabus-9432818.html

Anji

Regina, I just heard about this today from a work colleague and have since read the article from your link above. Aaargh! I’m pretty much lost for words about this decision. I don’t have any time for Michael Gove at the best of times so this lowers him even more in my estimation.

What I will say is that when I studied English Literature in the late 60s and very early 70s, it was just that “English” literature ( I’m from the UK, as you may know). All our studies were about English writers. No chance to study Steinbeck, Harper Lee or Ernest Hemingway. There’s so much else of value out there in the world. Yes, by all means have maybe 50%, or just a bit more, of literature from your own country in your schools syllabuses but not to the exclusion of all else, surely? How do literature studies in the US work out?

Dawn Harris

Ah, yes, I do recall it now. The education minister doesn’t seem to be popular with teachers, which is not a good thing. He is always saying things that they don’t agree with. I certainly think he is wrong in this. In my opinion, kids should study the best books, no matter where they originated, although obviously there should be a reasonable percentage of books by British writers. What happens in America? Is there any particular policy on this?

BeckyC

Oh Ladies! What fun. I followed AuAu from day one. Only 2010? I feel like it has been forever. I learned so much of this info over the years, but love seeing it all in one place to review. I must say, however, that I never got the ‘high maintenance’ impression from you, Regina. Lol. We have similar taste in tv and movies and you have given me a couple I have not seen yet. I am excited to get a rundown of your books to come. You know I devour everything you send our way. I am sad the realm series is coming to an end, but as long as you keep writing, I will be satisfied. Spiders and snakes? You just wait until your beloved grandson brings you the snake he caught in the garden. Boys will be boys.I would know. Lol.

Regina Jeffers

I raised 3 boys, Becky. I know what to expect. I killed a copperhead in my front yard when they cut down part of the wooden area on the other side of the community fence to add a sports field for a private high school in the area.
It does seem longer than 2010 since the beginning of AuAu. It was so much a part of my life that I grieved when it came to an end. However, all things are for the best and will work out. Change is frightening, but it is often exhilarating at the same time.
I think you’ll like both of the current WIPs. I am on chapter 16 of the Austen title and chapter 10 of the Regency title.
You have always been a great supporter, Becky. I am humbled by your kindness.

Vee

What a wonderful interview! You certainly lead an amazing life Regina. It was a lot fun learning all of these new facts about you 🙂 I love your books and am proud to say I own most of them. I can see a few that I have to get a hold of. I will admit that some are still on my TBR list. So I have much to look forward too 🙂 Some of my favorites include ‘The Mysterious Death of Mr Darcy’ and ‘Vampyre Darcy’s Desire’
I know you love being a Grandma as much as I do. Enjoy your retirement! And I look forward to reading your newest books soon too!

Regina Jeffers

Vee, I miss hearing of your grandkids on Twitter. I had my little one with me today. We had lunch at McAllister’s Deli, where he chose to eat a salad and a bowl of fruit. (Remember he is only 29 months old.) Then we bought a “Stormfly” from “How to Tame Your Dragon” moive to go along with “Toothless.” A video, a nap, a romp through the sprinkler (89 degrees today in NC). That’s my free time. Since then, I have typed another ten pages of a WIP, written the last one third of another chapter, caught up on emails, edited a manuscript, etc., etc., etc. It is all a part of my days. Crazy as they may be.
I am very proud of The Mysterious Death of Mr Darcy. It turned so much better than I had expected.
As always, I appreciate your continued support.

Vee

Haha what a sensible young man to chose the healthy options! Wonder how long that will last?
My grandsons bring me so much joy. Everything they do or say is just precious. And they can do no wrong! I spend half of each Friday with my older grandson Roman who is two and a half, so I get time to spoil him 😉 he is just beginning to string together sentences, so it’s only a matter of time before he is able to tell on me to Mum and Dad 😉
It’s wonderful that you can spend more time with your little ones and enjoy each moment, as well as pursue your passion with writing. I look forward to hearing of your next release 🙂

Anji

Very interesting interview. Thanks to you both, Sharon and Regina. I remain in awe of all of you who are writers.

My attempts at fiction have long since been burned or are buried deep in a very dark place on the hard drive of my computer! Those few attempts were very much “pants” in their construction. Maybe, for me, that wasn’t the way to go and I needed to outline an awful lot more but that’s history and as I don’t have the talent, or the time right now, it will remain so.

How do you remain so prolific, Regina, and keep up your interactions with folk like me, with everything else going on in your life? (bows down in homage here).

Bless you both for taking the time.

Regina Jeffers

My life has always been so full, Anji, I cannot imagine doing anything else. I often feel guilty if I “waste time,” even when it is for me.

junewilliams7

Forgive or Get Even
High Maintenance or Easy Breezy

Heh-heh! I wouldn’t have guessed….

I admire “pantsers” for being able to tie together all loose threads in the end. And I admire you for your prolific output. How do you stay on such a high-production schedule?

Regina Jeffers

I am from West Virginia, June. If one has ever heard of the Hatfields and the McCoys, one would recognize the Appalachian stubbornness in my nature. LOL!
My ex and his present lady spent the Memorial Day weekend at a campsite with an outhouse, well water, and lots of bugs. (Remember above I said “I don’t like spiders and snakes.”) I like my comforts, and I am a bit high maintenance. Nothing in my life is easy breezy except my relationship with my grandson, who I have watched since he was 7 weeks of age. He makes me laugh.
As to the high-production, my type A personality kicks in, and I become a bit obsessive with the task.

junewilliams7

She needs to write a new story about a high-maintenance “sweet southern belle” with a penchant for revenge!

Regina Jeffers

June, you have set up the perfect scenario. Why did I not think of it before?

Regina Jeffers

I adore living in the South, but being from WV, I am theoretically a “Yankee.”

Regina Jeffers

Beth, I believe there are lots of pantsers out there. Some are successful because they have carry with them a sense of “story.” Others are just dabbling and have no means to come to a complete story. It is not as if I do not organize my story before writing. I just do not outline and outline and outline first.

Beth Glixon

Regina, I agree with you. I can outline what I know, if I wish. I do have a beginning and an end (although the beginning, and its point of view changed many times before I made up my mind). The middle keeps changing. At this point I am enjoying the process and just letting it happen (I have a modern stream and an historical stream, so it’s fairly complicated). I think the current ending has only been with me about three weeks!

Beth Glixon

Sharon, one of my pivotal scenes came from a dream I had one night about my characters. In the dream the modern male “lead” had a brother, and he has since become a very minor character. I’m willing to take ideas from many different sources, and I would never have come up with this scene without the dream, but it is actually now quite crucial for the novel.

Regina Jeffers

I am at a point in my new Regency romance WIP where I am waiting for inspiration. The characters took the story in a different direction than I anticipated, and I must wait to discover the unspoken connections for which my hero searches. I have come up with several scenarios, but none I find satisfying. That is the hardest part of being a pantser.

Beth Glixon

And I’m waiting for my male characters to truly reveal their identities. It’s driving me crazy. But at least the historical male, who is training to be a doctor, turns out to have quite an aptitude as a therapist, something I never would have imagined.

Beth Glixon

This was great! I’ve been feeling guilty lately for being a “pantser,” but this makes me feel better to know that I’m emulating Regina. Thanks to both. It’s so helpful to read about authors’ paths.

Lynn Bischoff

Love your books Regina. I too will be sad to say goodbye to the Realm folk, butI know I will reread them regularly. Lovely intervuew. Thank you Sharon.

Regina Jeffers

I can’t seem to make myself think of the Realm’s ending. I believe I have avoidance issues. LOL! Thanks for joining me today, Lynn.

Eileen Dandashi

I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and information. Both of you I hold dear.

Regina Jeffers

Thanks for joining us, Eileen. It was nice to receive a few non-traditional interview questions.

Regina Jeffers

Good morning, Joy. Thanks for joining us today. It was great finally to put a face to the person. Like Sharon said, one would have thought we were old friends from childhood days.

J "Joy" Dawn King

How wonderful to get to know you better, Regina. Your list of works-in-progress wore me out. Truly a great interview.

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