Turning Pain into Prose: Writing, Opioids, and Finding Purpose, with Laura Essay
"I had no idea how big this was...over 80 percent of people you see in the alley were once you and me—soccer moms, CEOs—pulled into addiction by something that was supposed to help."
In this episode of Uncorking a Story, host Mike Carlon sits down with debut novelist Laura Essay, author of Side Effects Are Minimal. Laura shares her journey from being a lawyer to becoming an author, revealing how personal experiences and meticulous research inspired her to tackle the opioid crisis from a fresh perspective. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers, tackling the creative process and the personal dedication needed to turn research into a compelling narrative. Laura’s story reminds us that even in dark times, writing can be a light that helps us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Key Themes
- Writing as a Lifelong Passion. Laura’s love for writing began as a child, sneaking away to write poems. Even as she pursued a career in law, writing remained her passion. Her story emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity, even when life’s practical demands take precedence.
- Transitioning from Law to Writing. Laura spent years practicing law, which honed her factual writing skills. While she enjoyed the work, fiction writing allowed her to channel that discipline into storytelling. Her legal background helped her construct narratives grounded in truth, blending facts with fiction in her novel.
- The Opioid Crisis and Its Personal Impact. In Side Effects Are Minimal, Laura explores the opioid crisis, not from the addict's perspective, but from the people left behind. Her research uncovered a reality much closer to home than most people realize—addiction can strike anyone, making it a universal issue.
- The Creative Process and Overcoming Challenges. Laura shares how she balanced research and storytelling, often writing by hand to avoid distractions. Her advice for aspiring writers is to disconnect from technology and let ideas flow naturally. Her belief that "showing up" allows the story to come to you is an empowering message for any writer.
- Hybrid Publishing as a Path to Success. After traditional querying brought limited results, Laura found success in hybrid publishing with She Writes Press. She highlights the benefits of networking at writers' conferences and embracing new models like hybrid publishing, which provide more creative control and better royalties than traditional routes.
- On Facing Fears and Finding Purpose Later in Life. Laura reflects on her own journey of overcoming fear and finding her writing voice after her children left home. She encourages others to trust the timing of their creativity and to know that it’s never too late to pursue your passion.
Buy Side Effects are Minimal
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U89s6v
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9781647427047
Connect with Laura
Website: https://lauraessay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.essay.3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraessay11/
Connect with Mike
Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g
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