“I’d love to incorporate travel into my writing. I am fascinated by the pursuit of happiness and the need for a sense of contentment. Perhaps I could travel to places that have made me happy over the years, and find out how to bring those experiences home.”
-Laura Mathis
A member of the Writers’ League of Texas since July, Laura Mathis lives in Austin.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
Laura Mathis: I write primarily nonfiction and enjoy focusing on self-help, communication skills, parenting, and humor.
Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?
LM: I’d love to speak with Wayne Dyer. Sadly, he passed away last year. He made such an interesting transition from writing business books to self-improvement. The first question I would ask is, “What are your suggestions for writing a large quantity of work when you have young children in the home or general life distractions?”
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
LM: I would absolutely want Zen and the Art of Happiness by Chris Prentiss. It’s a simple book on how to adapt to life’s inevitable changes.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
LM: My first event was the Writers’ League Agents & Editors Conference, which was mind blowing. I learned that this journey as a writer is so different for everyone, and that if you want to write, there are many people who will help you succeed.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
LM: I’d love to incorporate travel into my writing. I am fascinated by the pursuit of happiness and the need for a sense of contentment. Perhaps I could travel to places that have made me happy over the years, and find out how to bring those experiences home. Most of all, I want a little writing studio on the water. I plan to hide away and write full time for a living.
Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?
LM: My kids are obsessed with the children’s book Goodnight Texas. The book is beautifully illustrated and serves as a reminder of the great places we have been or want to go. We read it almost every night!
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
LM: When I was laid off from my sales job last year, I truly felt like the universe officially nudged me into the writing world professionally. It’s a world I have been enjoying for decades “on the side.”
I hope you will check out my portfolio HERE. If you know anyone who wants to have a stronger online presence with blogs or articles, I would love to meet them. I’m great at helping businesses grow by sharing their stories with my writing skills.
—
Thanks, Laura!
If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!
