Interview Q&A With Laura Hughes

Interview Q&A with Laura Hughes

We offer our first and exclusive Q&A Interview with Laura Hughes, a writer whose multiple literary works have been featured on our Spillwords pages as well as being Author of the Month of March, 2017.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am 39 years old and live in Wildersville, TN. In 1995 I graduated high school in Memphis, TN., but unfortunately never attended college due to being diagnosed with Schizo-Affective Disorder soon after. It wasn’t until after becoming ill that I began writing poetry, which I had never done previously until that time.

2. What has influenced your writing style?

I am not really sure what has influenced my writing style, considering that I have never studied poetry before or any creative writing whatsoever.

3. What inspires you to write?

All I can say is that I write from my heart and whatever is inspired in me at the time. It usually pertains to what I happen to be feeling or going through at that moment in time.

4. When did you realize you wanted to write?

It was at the age of 18, after becoming mentally ill, that I was inspired to write for the very first time.

5. Tell us a little bit about your writing process?

I am not sure I have a process. I just write whatever comes to me and it usually comes to me in rhyme for some reason.

6. What would you say is most fulfilling about writing?

I believe the most fulfilling thing about writing is that it can be a sort of therapy for not only yourself, but others that happen to read your writings. I love the fact that some of my work has helped others in some way. I find it amazing and heart-warming as well to be able to help others. Also if you aren’t able to talk to someone about what is going on in your life, the pen and paper are always there waiting for you.

7. Does the addition of imagery help to tell your story?

I believe imagery can always help any writing because when you can imagine the story in your mind, then it can be understood better as well in my opinion.

8. What do you most enjoy reading?

Here lately I have mainly been reading poetry.

9. Is there a poet or a writer that has influenced you? If so, in what way?

Well I would have to say that there are many writers that have helped and influenced me now. I was able to meet many amazing poets and friends by joining Allpoetry.com which has helped me and my writing tremendously.

10. What are your ambitions as a writer?

I would love to be able to publish my own book of poetry one day when the time is right, but if that never happens I will still be satisfied writing and sharing my work in other ways.

11. Is there anything else you would like to add? 

I would like to say that I am truly honored and humbled to have been not only nominated but becoming author of the month. I was not expecting this at all, but am so very grateful to Spillwords for publishing my work and giving me this remarkable honor.