Featured Writer: Laura Huie
On creating space to write and writing advice.
Welcome to Women Writing!
About the author…
Laura Huie is a Fantasy author from the Midwest who grew up hiding among bookshelves filled with stories from other fantasy and science fiction worlds. She is constantly hitting the keys, whether it’s writing her next book, writing a post, or stopping the swarm of zerglings that are rushing her. Her recent stories try to combine family into fantasy, while appealing to older readers.
On a writing routine …
I make sure that when the household has settled for the night, to work on my writing for at least an hour. This helps me work towards my monthly goals. If I fall behind at the halfway point, I try to squeeze in writing over lunch instead of reading. I would prefer to write early - but my life starts too early as is for me and I will not wake up at 4 am to get it done.
On writing spaces …
My favorite place to write is actually on the floor, lying down next to one of my pets. I work at my desk most of the time to keep track of world-building notes and editing notes these past few days. When I'm drafting though, my pets make excellent "ducks" to talk to and solve problems. I try to listen to instrumental music that fits the scene I'm writing, but there are days when it's been too busy and I want to slow down and focus on the one task at hand—my story.
On writing communities …
I'm in a few writing circles. With my typical fantasy works, I have my cozy group community to talk about marketing and thinking of ideas. With my recent fantasy web novel that is a LitRPG, there are a lot of groups to be in and they are all extremely helpful in finishing a novel to feed the hungry readers of that genre. They are extremely hungry too, like they want at least 1000 pages before starting a new author at times.
“A lot of times when my creativity has stopped and looking at the outline isn't helping me, it means I am burned out and need to take care of me. Stopping for a few days is better than trying to push through it for weeks.”
On challenges …
As a self-published author, you wear a lot of hats and it feels like you don't have enough time to keep on top of all of them it at once. Drafting, editing, covers, marketing, ARCs, administration, social media, newsletters, etc. Honestly, I don’t like keeping up with anything but my writing. I wish I had more time to work on the stories that are coming in my head and to keep up with the demand. In the LitRPG space, there are a lot of authors who work full time—and still put out 5K a day. My hardest challenge is learning how to focus and get to those typing speeds. They can do that in two hours and I am trying to catch up to that speed.
On the best writing advice …
Don't do everything. If you don't want to do social media? Don't spend your energy elsewhere, like newsletters. Limit your areas of focus. You don't need to do all the social media platforms if it exhausts you. It's okay to get help or hire out a task to someone more skilled to do it. I want to focus on telling a story, and only that—not jump around and get distracted by life and all the drama that pops up in the author community at times.
On the worst writing advice …
"Get as many beta readers as you can." No, don't do this. Get a handful that have read and enjoy similar books to yours. Five is plenty to get an idea of what you need to do. Plus, as a new author, getting even one beta reader can be a challenge! Its easy when you get a following, a lot harder when you don't have one. Start small, its not a race, you will get there, and be patient on publishing your first book. Have that series done.
On advice from personal experiences …
Change who you reference, don't say cozy author Travis Baldree, go with Diana Wynne Jones! Don't just list G.R.R. Martin, talk about Robin Hobb instead. We need to lift each other up and make them the base reference. You can still list male authors, but don't make them the first—because like Diana, she wrote that genre before. Currently I'm in a male author dominate genre, but I've met incredible authors in it, Erin Ampersand, and Kia Leep to name a few that I look up to.
On rekindling creativity …
I love this question. Years ago, I would talk about creating something else besides writing, but now with how busy my life is, I say stop. Go outside or listen to people talk in a coffee shop. Slow down and take in the moments around your life. This can be a walk with no music or podcast. A lot of times when my creativity has stopped and looking at the outline isn't helping me, it means I am burned out and need to take care of me. I do this by going out to eat by myself in a restaurant or lie down at a park. Stopping for a few days is better than trying to push through it for weeks.
On a recent publication …
The most recent book of my portal fantasy series came out in August 2024, The Astray Chosen, Book 2 of The Thedre Trilogy. But also, I am publishing multiple times a week online my LitRPG webnovel, Honey I've Leveled the Kids. A wholesome story about changes in a family and learning to game together. The next book I am working on is similar sadness and joy of Sunset Sovereign and Book 2 of my web novel.
Laura’s online spaces …
📚 Upcoming offerings …
Women Writing Circle
The Women Writing Circle meets on the second and last Monday of the month from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers ($8 USD/month). As a special thank you gift, I’m offering paid subscribers a free 30-minute book coaching call. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. I’m looking forward to creating a magical writing community with you, and getting some pages written in 2025.
Do you love reading cozy mysteries? Me, too! Join me at A.L. Jensen where I investigate all things cozy mysteries and pick up a copy of my family’s four favourite Nordic recipes. Upgrade and join our Cozy Mystery Book Club starting in June! Who doesn’t need a quaint small town, quirky characters, and a little murder these days?
Happy writing!
