Interview Q&A with Laura Bennett
We present our first exclusive Q&A Interview with Laura Bennett whose literary works have graced our Spillwords pages and earned her the title of January/February 2025 Author of the Month.
- What does it mean to be selected as Author of The Month?
It’s a huge honor to be selected as Author of the Month. It means that my writing is continuing to reach others and growing, and that’s all I can ever hope to ask for – to not be stagnant in my writing and to have the ability to hopefully make an impact on others in a positive and meaningful way.
- How have your friends and/or family influenced your writing?
Interestingly enough, most of my family isn’t aware how serious I am about writing. If I were to tell them I had written a book or something, that probably wouldn’t be surprising at all I’m sure, given they know how much I enjoy reading and the like. Most of them have told me I’m a good writer, but it’s a part of me that I keep private, like a sacred secret of some sort. My friends, and especially coworkers, have all told me, “you should write,” so that’s always stuck out to me as very important. The biggest influence I’ve had on my writing has been through my WordPress family – they’ve all encouraged me to continue to grow and write and be better each and every day. There’s nothing like the support you can get through community. It’s very special in so many ways to me. Especially here at Spillwords, I only recently started submitting poems within the past year, and the community here has been so welcoming to me.
- What inspires and motivates you to write?
Usually if I see an image or take a photo of something, that will spark an idea, then that may become something like a story or a poem. I can easily find inspiration in many ways, like through dreams, something I saw while driving home, or even the ever elusive thoughts many of us get while taking a shower. All of those aspects have been known to bring forth a well of creative ideas.
- Can you tell us about the catalyst that sparked your writing journey?
Absolutely, and it may come through as somewhat uncanny, (and I understand not everyone has the same beliefs) but I prefer the truth above all else. Most people write to “work out” something, and a lot of writers are on a spiritual journey or healing of sorts through their writing. I was (and still am) working with a medium at the time and she told me to “start writing,” in whatever way I could because she felt that my writing would really help others. This was in 2021, but it still feels like just yesterday. I did, in fact, start my blog, Black Moon Lilith at WordPress in 2021, but didn’t start getting serious about writing until about November 2023.
- Please share a glimpse into your writing process.
I’m not a planner at all. There may be an “inkling” or the spark of an idea, perhaps along the lines of, “I want to write about x, y, and z,” maybe for an upcoming event or holiday, but I almost always find just going with my gut on what feels right or best at the time and not allowing myself to overthink or be swayed from that notion allows for the best flow of creative ideas to come to life. I would like to be more of a planner when it comes to writing, but I’m not at all a “type A” personality so I suppose I shouldn’t expect that from my writing, either.
- What do you find most fulfilling about the act of writing?
If I’ve touched someone in a positive way, it means everything to me. If I’ve made them laugh, brought them some sort of enjoyment, or made them think differently, even for a moment – that is a huge compliment for me. Commentary and engagement is so important for me. If I know you’ve enjoyed my writing, it encourages me to continue on with it.
- How does the use of imagery contribute to conveying your story?
I’m a very visual person. I have a lot of vivid dreams, and photography is a passion of mine. I also enjoy using AI images to tell a story. I think visuals are very important to drive a point home, and can really make an impact when trying to convey a specific message.
- What is your favorite reading genre?
Horror, dark thriller, psychological, spiritual, fantasy, and of course – humor.
- What human being has inspired you the most?
Has to be my grandmother. She was such a strong woman, in an amazing way in which you don’t see people built like her anymore. With her mental fortitude and determination, she had the toughness to just keep going. She was very influential to me while growing up. She was the backbone of my strong work ethic, encouraged me to go after a career in the healthcare industry, and was always a positive influence on my life. She was also an avid reader and would be over the moon to know I’ve taken on a serious approach to my writing.
- What message would you have for the Spillwords Press community that voted for you?
So much gratitude! There’s absolutely no words to convey how thankful I am that others saw something in my writing, enough to vote for me. That in and of itself, is the greatest gift I could’ve ever received.
- What would you like your legacy as a writer to be?
The biggest thing I could ever hope for in writing is the ability to have others receive a positive message from my words. Whether it’s to feel seen, be heard, or to laugh at something I’ve written, that amount of reaction and emotion is very special to me.
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for being a part of my journey! It means so much to me that you’re here along for the ride. I’m hoping for much more along the way, and to take you with me!
In closing, I’d like to thank you and the Spillwords community for allowing me to have this opportunity. I appreciate your work very much, and am thankful as ever to have been selected as Author of the Month!
- Interview Q&A With Laura Bennett - March 18, 2025
- Of Roses and Thorns - February 10, 2025
- Choices - September 17, 2024
