Laura Ashley Laraque

Q: Tell us about you, and your writing (themes, influences etc.)

Hi, my name is Laura Ashley and I am a Indie author. I’ve been writing since the 5th grade and haven’t stopped since! I really do enjoy expressing my thoughts and emotions through words. My writing is primarily poetry and at first I always would gear my words to rhyming but expanding my horizon with writing as I read more and got involved in the community. What influences my writing is pain; it moves my words to be more raw and honest. However, more recently I have been focusing on the healing aspect of my life in my words.

Q: What are some of the ways in which you promote your work, and do you find these add, or eat into, your time writing?

Since I am all new to the promoting aspect of my work, I mainly use social media platforms to get my work out there. Of course I also use word of mouth and speak to different ones about my passion for writing as well. I also do custom poems on the side if I know someone has a special occasion coming up or just needs some comforting words to hear. As far as time management, at first it was eating a lot of my time and I become very consumed with needing to post and promote constantly. I came to a point where I had to prioritize and see what was most important in my life, which was my health and well being; without that I’m nothing!

Q: What projects are you working on at present?

I do have some projects in mind that again I am trying to prioritize in my life. I am working on a Youtube channel that caters to spoken word and creating a open space for people who suffer from chronic illness, such as myself, and just topics that the writing community may want to discuss. I am also working on recreating a revised edition of my debut collection “Table for One’. I’m excited about that as well but I am working diligently to make sure its just right.

Q: What does poetry mean to you?

My poetry embodies who I am and what my heart feels. At first I was shy and didn’t really want to share my pain, lack of confidence and so forth. Yet, I realized it’s so important to be open and honest with who you are and not to so much hide behind your words. I still find a way to express how I feel without bashing or being too much of an open book; although I feel sometimes I can be otherwise lol. Poetry has created a healing path that I will never regret stepping foot on. It has left me vulnerable and naked to the eye but has brought out this beam of sunshine that I allowed to be crowded out by the troubles I faced. This passion I have, will never fade off and will always be a part of who I am.

This collection of poetry talks about a woman who has experienced what many have, heart break. In the midst of her pain, she takes on a journey to learn to love herself. Also, expressing emotions and looking back on memories that although left scars, have led her to sit at her table alone. Finding yourself is crucial and she explains how she accomplishes this day by day.