Meet Regina D. “Gena-Mae” Wells | Author, Writer, Director & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Regina D. “Gena-Mae” Wells and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Regina D. “Gena-Mae”, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Villa Rica, Georgia. I lived in a household with both my parents. My father was a performer in a traveling band, called the “Chaperells,” he was the lead singers. They opened for artists like Lionel Richie, Howard Hewett and Prince! My mother was a dedicated church goer and I soon discovered a love for singing as well as writing at church. I became a major part of our Performing Arts Ministry and soon became the head of that ministry at the early age of 16. I always enjoyed writing and English class in school. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading. While my friends played hide and seek and rode bikes, I sat on my grandmother’s porch reading, so much so that I never learned to ride a bike at all. My love for reading and writing church plays birth my business Gena-Mae Productions where I produce original plays, write, ghostwrite, and edit for others and do a host of other things surrounding stage and film production.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Writing is my art. It’s my God-given gift! Deuteronomy 8:18 says (in part) “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth.” I will never forget the day I read this scripture and realized that the gift God had given me in writing, could be my power to get wealth. Though I’m not what many may consider “wealthy,” I consider myself rich because I get to use my gift and passion to not only do what I love but to make money while I do it.

But the most important part of that scripture for me says, “but you shall remember the Lord your God.” For me this means that no matter what I do with my gift, I must ALWAYS remember whose gift it really is. It’s God’s and I will not do anything with this gift that doesn’t bring Him glory. That is part of what sets me apart I think. I am by no means saying I am the only Christian writer out here but I am one and I am unapologetic in that.

I am currently excited about my new novel “Tangled Web.” It was published in August of 2020. It was a ton of hard work but so worth it to have completed something I have always wanted to complete. Remember I said I have always loved reading, in that, I have always wanted to be an author. To see my name on the cover of a book and now that dream has come true! The main challenge for me was, letting go! Since I write for live theatre and film most often, writing a novel and actually sending it to print was HARD. I must have read that book 50 times before I hit the “send” button to get it published and printed. It was my family and church family that helped reassure me that I was good enough to let it go because they couldn’t wait to read it!

Along the way I learned how very important it is to study your craft. Every filmmaker must be a big movie watcher and every author must be a reader! How can you give the people what they want if you don’t crave and devour that very thing? I want the world to know that when they see the name Regina D. “Gena-Mae” Wells or Gena-Mae Productions that they are about to experience a God-given piece of work whether it be a film, theatre, or novel. I want my readers and audience to expect something that will make them think, laugh, and or cry. Something that will do as God commissioned me years ago when He gave me the motto on which I stand, “Showing the world Jesus in a REAL way.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Though I was born and raised in Villa Rica Georgia, I reside in Carrollton Georgia. Some of the best spots to eat would be to get a breakfast platter at Martins, have an amazing sandwich at Highland Deli and then have dinner at Nama Asian Fusion or La Trattoria Classic Italian Kitchen! YUM.

To walk all that food off, enjoy Carrollton’s noteworthy Greenbelt that encircles the city and includes beautiful trails and bikes for those who would rather petal than walk. Catch a show or check out some local art at the Cultural Art Center. Hang out on Adamson Square where you can get hand churned Ice cream and treats at Gallery Row. Take it easy and relax or see a live performance at the picturesque Downtown Amphitheater, where I host my annual Back to school giveaway called The Village Youth Summit Back to School Rally.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and my church family. Throughout the years they have been the backbone and support system that it has taken for Gena-Mae Productions to become successful. I could not create awesome content without family and church members willing to be a part as well as come out and be the audience! It is because of my family and church family that I have been able to successfully self publish my first novel and continue to strive to make GMP all it can be!

Website: www.genamaeproductions.webs.com

Instagram: genamaeproductions

Linkedin: Regina D. Wells

Twitter: @ginamaee

Facebook: Gena-Mae Productions

Youtube: ginamaeeproductions

Other: To find out more about my novel visit www.https://tangledweb-104845.square.site

Image Credits
Photo Credit Jessica White Book Cover Art by Syreeta Leaks Cover Photos Regina Wells & Cynthia Slaughter