Interview with a Rising Star of Literature!

My favorite novel of 2015 is Regina Underlord's debut, WhistWender. This book changed the way I relate to everything in my life. It was gorgeously rendered and life-affirming on so many levels. Imagine my delight when Mrs. Underlord agreed to be interviewed ON MY BLOG!

Tell us a little bit about your inspiration for writing this book 
You know that feeling you get when you open up the mailbox and find a package. It's something that you didn't order, but it's at your house anyway. You've had a rough day, so you bring it inside, pour a glass of wine and rip open the box. You find that it's jam-packed with foot cream and mouse traps. 
That kinda feeling gave me the idea for WhistWender. 

Who were you writing it for? 
My uncle Troy. The day after he was abducted by aliens, he called me up and said, "Regina. Write me a story about a little mouse, a bread factory, and a murderous forklift driver." He died two weeks after that phone call, but I still wrote the story. I had the cemetery install a one-way radio on his tombstone so I could read the book to him. In some ways, I'm thankful that he's dead. He probably would have hated the final product. I got a bit off track with the bit about the forklift rampage. 

How long did it take for you to finish? 
Hmmm. Counting outlining and fleshing it out....first through fifth drafts and editing. I'd say that it took me two solid months. It was grueling, my husband and I had to split up. The strain of my schedule was too much for him. Still, I think it was worth all the trouble. 

Was it hard to find a publisher? 
It was quite a challenge! I honestly didn't expect to have so much difficulty. I figured that I would skip all the drama that comes with agents and publish it myself. I had no idea that it would be such a chore. The word on the street was that if you paid someone the correct amount of money, they would print any old thing. No such luck here! I finally found a Kinko's that would print out my manuscript and laminate the cover, but I had to drive two states away. I can sell it on Amazon now, I just have to list it as a used copy of Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. 

Who are your favorite writers/role models? 
My role model in life and writing and everything has got to be Svetlana. She works at the Wendy's near my house. We struck up quite a friendship (I've eaten dinner there every day for the past ten years!). She's an inspiration in so many ways. She works her finger to the bones to keep her 34 cats fed and housed. She always writes chilling haikus on customers' receipts. The best poetry I've ever seen was written on a receipt for chili and a double cheese burger.  

What advice would you give to new authors? 
Don't write your novels in blood! I know it seems romantic, but you're totally screwed if you need to write something more than a few pages long. You're either gonna drain yourself or get slapped with a first-degree murder charge. It's not worth it. Just use a computer!