Laura In Her Own Words
Following the release of 'Envelope of a Letter' in September of 2005, Laura was kind enough to provide us with a personal insight into her early writing experiences, inspirations and creative aspirations. Read on to discover who Laura's favourite authors are, how she reacts to being described by her publisher as 'the most exciting Regency novelist who has ever written' and where her future ambitions lie.
Creative Beginnings - Restoring The Regency - Beyond Books
Beyond Books
What are your interests apart from creative writing?
I love animals and used to spend a lot of time horse riding. Now I enjoy taking my dog for long walks in the woods. Obviously reading features pretty heavily! I like doing cross-stitch, travelling and going to museums.
Where is your favourite location in the world?
Am I allowed two? Or three? I think my favourite place is Bath. The history and the architecture are stunning. When the sun catches the buildings, they all light up because they're made of yellow limestone. It's amazing. There's so much to do there but because it's a little town, you still feel surrounded by countryside. The whole of the West Country gives me a sense of bliss. But having said that, there is Disneyland... a whole different world! And if you're in the American one where it's hot and sunny, so much the better!
Describe your perfect house, the perfect global location for it and the perfect view out of your window!
I once saw the sweetest little house on Exmoor - an old stone cottage with a working watermill beside it, right in the middle of all the heather and gorse. That would be ideal! I'd definitely need something 'periody' with reproduction furniture inside. Having said that, a huge historic mansion overlooking a lake wouldn't be bad either! I love England and wouldn't like to live anywhere else. But the weather is a bit nasty, so it would be nice to have a winter home in some beachy exotic location!
How would you occupy your perfect day?
I'd start by walking my dog in the fields opposite my house. It would be a bright day with a blue sky and he could go running among the bluebells. Then I'd go into London with some friends, have an (all important!) coffee stop at Starbucks, and maybe do a bit of sightseeing. I'd then go to St Paul's or the British Museum. I would need to incorporate some shopping and have lunch at some fabulous restaurant - if I'd ever been to a fabulous restaurant I'd be able to give you an example!
I'd then catch a show - preferably a musical like 'Les Miserables' or 'Phantom of the Opera'. If it happens to be dark afterwards, I'd try to go to Westminster Bridge and see the London Eye lit up. Then I'd curl up at home with my dog, a book and a coffee and watch a DVD. Of course, knowing my luck, this plan would be hopelessly thwarted by tube delays and atrocious weather.
What was your most embarrassing experience ever?
It's hard to remember - I do tend to blank these things from my memory so that they can't emotionally damage me! I do fall down quite a lot. My balance is hardly to be admired. I fell off the back of a stage in drama once (thankfully not in a production) and I slipped over on a metal grid last week! I fell down a flight of stairs at school once; my skirt went over my head revealing my knickers to pretty much the entire teaching staff as they turned the corner from the staff room to go back to lessons...
And finally - what morals or maxims do you try to live your life by? What is the most important quality that anyone can have?
I'm a dedicated Christian so obviously those values impact quite heavily on my life. I try to show love to everybody I meet and treat them with patience and respect. I think there's a tendency with people to be very selfish and convinced of their own righteousness. As far as I'm concerned the best thing a person can do is to take into account the feelings of others and listen to them. The worst thing is rudeness - I really can't stand it!
Creative Beginnings - Restoring The Regency - Beyond Books
