We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Resau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

Over the years, through trial and error (and pain and tears) I’ve realized that following my creative path just feels right. I feel most alive when, one way or another, I notice and make beauty every day. (Which is not to say I never have blah days—but now those are the exception!) As a novelist, I nurture a sense of wonder through writing, but more importantly, through the details of everyday life. The books that result are the icing on the cake.

About a decade ago, I was mothering my young son and feeling overwhelmed with book deadlines. I started to believe that I only had time for writing and mothering, so I closed myself off to other experiences of wonder. I was trying to act with laser-focused efficiency, but the joy was sucked out of my days. It all felt wrong.

That was a wake-up call. I realized I have a deep need to fill my days with nature and people and things that cultivate creativity. For me, that means walking in the woods by the river, tending to the dozens of plants in my home, sloppily sewing pillows, frequenting flea markets, gardening edible flowers, making herbal lotions and potions, renovating vintage trailers, crafting our tiny cabin, doing nature rituals with friends, searching for crystals in the mountains with my family, traveling to inspiring places, and connecting with humans and flora and fauna around the world. Even though these things don’t directly relate to writing books, they’re all part of the larger creative flow. And the side effect? I’m more fruitful as an author.

For me, happiness means opening myself to all forms of creativity, every day and in every way.

Laura, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a novelist who writes books set in places where I’ve lived or traveled around the world. Magic, love, and adventure tend to find their way into my stories. So do brave characters who take journeys of all kinds, inside and outside themselves. The eleven books I’ve written so far are marketed to kids and teens, but are read by many not-so-young adults, too.

Over fifteen years ago, after living abroad, teaching ESL (English as a Second Language), and earning a Masters Degree in Cultural Anthropology, I decided to follow my passion and write books. It’s always been important to me to weave in environmental and human rights issues while helping new global voices be heard. Being fluent in Spanish has enabled me to collaborate with Latin American women on books dealing with immigration and Indigenous rights.

I love to personally connect with readers through visits to schools and libraries where I do book presentations and writing workshops. I live in Old Town Fort Collins and spend every morning writing in my plant-filled studio or the vintage trailer in my yard. I feel fortunate that my career continues taking me on adventures to fascinating places, both near and far.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

For a long time, I thought that “success” required perfectionism, people-pleasing, and ruthlessly pushing myself. This earned me good grades and scholarships to college and grad school, but it wasn’t sustainable. Over the next decade, I paid for the beating-myself-up strategy for success with chronic headaches and migraines. After having several books published, I realized I needed to let go of this over-achieving approach. Resolving to take a break, I reluctantly turned down the next book contract offer from my publisher.

At first, I fretted that this decision would be disastrous for my career… but in the end, it was just what I needed—a couple years of creative bliss without pressure. Fortunately, earnings from royalties and presentations kept some income flowing while I re-immersed myself in writing for fun. And once I re-filled the well, I completed more books, now from a place of wonder. I still meet my publishers’ deadlines, but the energy driving me is delight.

After fifteen years in the book industry, I understand that any ups and downs are part of the adventure. Metaphorically, I see my writing journey as a soul-expanding trip to endlessly fascinating places. I know I’m also signing up for disappointments, insecurities, frustrations, and other bummers . . . but it’s all part of the package. I know I’ll experience marvels, too. When I face hard things, I remind myself that it’s part of the adventure and soon I’ll move on to lighter moments. This helps me let go of anxiety and just enjoy the ride—with a sense of gratitude and wonder.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

When I first started writing stories and novels decades ago, I did it for me. It felt good and necessary for my own emotional and spiritual health. I’ve always loved existing that otherworldly trance state that comes with creative writing. (As I learned the hard way, this skill isn’t exactly valued when working in an office or an all-night diner.)

Once my first novels were published, I heard from readers of all ages. They told me how they connected with my stories and felt inspired or even healed in some way. I realized that as a writer, I was pouring my own soul into the story, but that was only half of the equation. Readers bring their souls to the story, too, and together we create a unique and mystical experience.

I’d always felt that story-telling was a sacred act; discovering this bond with readers strengthened the feeling. I especially love hearing from adults who first read my books as children or teens, and have saved their well-worn copies over the years, re-reading them whenever they need comfort. As one reader put it, the book feels like a warm hug. This soul connection with readers has been the most unexpected treasure of my writing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LauraResau.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraresau/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Laura-Resau-103626396356793
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraResau
• Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/202936.Laura_Resau

Image Credits
Tina Wood Photography credit is only for the professional photo of me standing in a black shirt in the field.