Lorraine Reguly, BA/BEd, is an author and English teacher-turned-freelancer for hire. She offers 4 different services on Wording Well: writing/blogging, and editing. She also helps others become published authors! Check out her services and see what she can do for YOU. You can also visit her author site, Laying It Out There.
Shauna Kosoris: Your first book, Risky Issues, is made up of mostly fictional short stories. Why did you decide to change to nonfiction for your new book, From Nope to Hope?
Lorraine Reguly: I saw that many people needed help.
I wrote about my suicide attempt, and that article hit the #1 spot on Google. I was getting over 500 people a day reading that blog post. I was surprised that so many people were contemplating suicide, and were looking for answers on what to do, on how to cope with their problems, and how to improve their lives.
As someone who continually struggled with suicidal thoughts for years, I wanted to share the exact strategies and techniques that I used (and still use, on occasion) to overcome mine. I also wanted to share how I maintain a positive outlook on life now. I am a much happier person than I ever was… now. Finally. Thank God!
From Nope to Hope is a book that will change your life! It also contains a built-in workbook with exercises for the reader to do (at the end of each chapter).
FYI… My first book, Risky Issues, was my “practice book.” I wanted to make sure I could go through all of the steps to self-publishing.
My second book is my pride and joy (next to my son, of course!). From Nope to Hope took me about a year to write, and I shed many tears during the process because of all the old memories it brought up. However, I completed it, published it, and sold many copies. I’m proud of myself for helping others. It brings me great joy to receive emails and messages from people I have helped. There is no greater feeling in the world than when someone tells me I literally saved their life. Wow. It’s just amazing!
After overcoming many obstacles in your life (many of which you share in From Nope to Hope), you were able to turn your life around. What do you credit with helping you get to this point?
There are many factors that contributed to the positivity in my life. The person who drove me to change myself was my son. He is also the reason I always chose to continue to live and move forward.
The other factors are the strategies and techniques mentioned in my book, From Nope to Hope.
However, it was the epiphany I had while I was in the hospital when my appendix burst in 2012 and I nearly died. I realized that I wanted to live, that I didn’t want to die without saying goodbye to my son, and that I had so many things I wanted to accomplish before I died.
So I began LIVING. I reconnected with my son, and many wonderful things happened as a result.
How Re-Uniting with My Son Impacted My Life tells them all!
Along with publishing your books, you’re also an accomplished blogger. How did you get involved in copywriting?
Once I began blogging back in 2013, others started noticing me and how well I write. My writing is always perfect and edited to perfection. I started guest-posting as a way to “get my name out there,” and one website owner hired me to write articles each month for his site. I then began marketing myself as a freelance writer and editor.
Once I became an author, I started offering services to help others become authors too.
These are the services I offer.
What was your first published piece?
I have had many published pieces both online (in the last several years) and in local newspapers (about 20 years ago!) so I honestly cannot remember. Sorry!
For a list of my online publications, you can refer to my portfolio on Wording Well.
Thinking about Wording Well, why did you start your freelance writing, editing, and coaching service?
First and foremost, as a way of helping others. Secondly, to supplement my income.
I currently have multiple income streams. You can read more about them all in the article called The Essence of Blogging (+ How to Earn Money Online).
You have written many different pieces, from short stories and articles to blog posts and poetry. Do you have a favourite writing style?
LOL – I like them all!
I like writing true, factual accounts about both my life and about any topic, in general.
I love writing poetry.
My favorite would have to be sharing stories about my life, though. I love talking about myself and how far I have come in my life.
To learn a bit about the obstacles I have faced and the situations I’ve overcome, you can read My Life Journey (#inspirational #poetry + #motivational #poem).
What are you working on now?
I’m considering a historical book about Winston Hall, an apartment building that contained about 130 apartments before it ultimately burned down. It used to once house the women who worked in World War II and it, at one point, contained a bowling alley, a dance hall, and a concession stand that later became a convenience store.
In fact, my mom was the last person to run the store. I also worked there, as did my sister.
My paternal grandmother and grandfather lived in the building for about 40 years. I lived there, too, for about one-and-a-half years, with my son, when he was a baby (to age one). I had many friends who lived there. I grew up in a house across the street from Winston Hall.
Winston Hall was a HUGE part of my childhood!
What book or author inspired you to write?
No book. No author.
My mother was an elementary school teacher who quit teaching when I was born. I was her firstborn child and she taught me how to read and write at a VERY young age.
I was reading and writing cursive by the time I was in Grade 1. Other children my age back then were still learning how to print within two lines, and I was already writing within one. (I remember this because I got in trouble for disobeying my teacher. Can you believe that?)
Is there a book or author that you think everyone should read?
No. People should read whatever they are interested in.
My son does not read books, but he loves magazine and Internet articles.
I, on the other hand, prefer novels – mystery novels, to be exact.
And what are you currently reading?
I’ve heard many good things about Stephen King’s book, On Writing, and so I’m going to read that soon!
I’m currently reading (and editing) Maxwell Ivey Jr’s 3rd book. Max is a blind man from Houston, Texas, who is someone who is mega-inspirational to me. He lost over 250 pounds, runs two businesses, wrote a motivational guide book to success, wrote a book about weight loss success, and then travelled to New York City alone via train for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in 2016-2017.
Max also uses social media, has two websites, and is internationally known as The Blind Blogger, a moniker I gave him! He is simply AMAZING and is someone I admire the most in this world.
Leading You Out of the Darkness Into the Light: A Blind Man’s Inspirational Guide to Success is his first book.
It’s Not the Cookie, It’s the Bag: An Easy-to-Follow Guide for Weight Loss Success is his second.
We are still finalizing the title for his third!
Thank you so much for allowing me to share a few tidbits about me, my books, and my life!
Thunder Bay Public Library's Book Blog 
Thanks so much for featuring me! I appreciate it!