Laura Jane Bradbury interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

A little introduction:

Hi, my name is Laura and I am a copywriter, blogger of The Style of Laura Jane and author of the poetry book, Not in a Fairy tale.

For around a decade, I have been penning poems on love and heartbreak. I consider myself a hopeless romantic and a bit of a perfectionist (I suppose that’s a trait of many writers).

When did your love of books begin?

As far back as I can remember, I have loved going to book shops. Roald Dahl was one of my early favourites – I must have read The Witches at least three times.

Currently, my bookshelf resembles a mixed bag of titles. From Old Hollywood biographies, psychology books, romance dramas.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

In dreamland, when I was probably nine and creating books using folded A4 paper. In reality, I wanted to write a book when I began blogging.

When people started asking me to write poems, I realised poetry was a natural step for me to take. 

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

Amazing, stressful, confusing… Depending on how I felt, some days the words would instantly flow from my fingers as though I had poems tattooed on my brain. Other days, I would sit in absolute frustration, wondering what on earth I was doing and if I could really complete a book.

It was a rollercoaster process that taught me a lot about focus.

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

To become an author, whether you’re published or self-published, you have to really believe in yourself and the work you are creating. Because you will likely face rejection from either yourself, agents, publishers, peers, friends/family.

It’s easy to give up. My advice would be to constantly look at your why, and to simply write. Don’t let procrastination win!

Tell us about your book/books:

Divided into four sections, my poetry collection tells the many stories of passion, love, heartache and sorrow.

I wanted to create a poetry book that could read like a real story. Each poem describes a feeling or a romantic theme: Adultery, grief, first love, boredom, regret, insatiable chemistry, sorrow, and so on.

Here is a short poem included in the book:

With love I see,

Your beautiful heart,

Covered in thorns,

Like the roses you once gave me.

So soon they died,

Leaving a vase and pricked thumb,

When the cut’s blood stopped trickling,

My body,

Prepared for bleeding inside,

Years of blood,

Our forever goodbye.

 

On Amazon worldwide, my book is available on Kindle and print.

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

The writing community is so supportive and uplifting. Whenever I’m on social media, I come across posts encouraging other writers. 

If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?

Firstly, thank you for reading my work.

When I started my blog, I was around what I would call, bad energy. People automatically telling me I shouldn’t aim to high; it would likely not take off. A few years later and I have an incredible readership and many exciting opportunities.

I’ve learnt that you have to accept that any new goal will mean you are a beginner and with that, you are going to make mistakes. But if you stay committed, continue to research and assess, surround yourself with positive people and make it your mission to not give up, you can get to where you want to go.

Where can people connect with you?

My blog is: thestyleoflaurajane.com

You can find me on social media:

Main Instagram: @thestyleoflaurajane

Poetry Instagram: @laurajanepoetry

Twitter: @styleoflauraj

Facebook: @thestyleoflaurajane