Lauren Underwood’s journey to becoming a published author is a testament to her passion, perseverance, and unyielding love for storytelling. From a young age, Lauren found herself captivated by books, and her interest in reading and writing developed hand in hand. By fourth and fifth grade, she was already crafting short stories that amused her teachers and sparked her desire to connect with others through her words.

“I loved the enjoyment it brought to my teacher, and I knew I wanted to continue making an impact on other people in the same way,” she shares. This early love of storytelling eventually evolved into her lifelong goal: authorship. However, Lauren’s path to getting published wasn’t without its challenges.

The Road to Publication

In college, Lauren began sharing her work with others in writing workshops. “I was surprised when classmates would tell me that my poetry was actually good,” she recalls. The encouragement she received, combined with exposure to diverse poets and anthologies, added to her desire to pursue publication.

Like many aspiring authors, Lauren also faced the dilemma of choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing. “The biggest challenge [of traditional publishing] is that many publishers do not take unsolicited manuscripts,” she explains. “You have to go through literary agents who will then advocate for your book to big publishers.”

After some consideration, Lauren chose the self-publishing route, using Amazon’s platform to bring her debut poetry collection, These Nights I Spend With My Ghosts, to life. Self-publishing allowed her the creative freedom she craved, allowing her full control over the content and design of her book. However, this decision also meant she had to navigate marketing and distribution without the backing of an agent.

But that didn’t stop her from continuing. “I was just ready for my poetry to be read by others,” she says. Without the support of a literary agent, Lauren relied on social media to connect with her audience. By sharing snippets of her poetry and engaging directly with readers, she cultivated a following.

Lauren’s debut poetry book is divided into three parts and delves into themes of heartbreak, depression, and healing. Drawing from her own struggles with mental health, the book offers readers a raw and intimate glimpse into her journey. She describes the book as a deeply personal exploration of her struggles with mental health during her college years.

“There are moments in our lives when something happens that really separates who you were before versus who you are after, and that was this moment for me.”

For Lauren, writing poetry was more than just self-expression—it was an outlet. The process of putting her thoughts and emotions into words helped her navigate the pain of anxiety and depression, offering her a path toward healing. “The book is dedicated to [my dog], and when I say that he saved my life, I truly mean that,” she says, crediting her dog as a source of support during her darkest days.

Among her favorite poems in the collection are “When I Think of Him I Smell Oranges,” “Conversation of My Grief,” “My Message to the Ocean,” “Survivor,” “These Nights I Spend With My Family,” and “Fern.” Lauren’s writing has an undeniable sense of resilience throughout the collection, providing comfort for those facing similar struggles.

As Lauren continued to grow as a writer, she began to feel a strong pull toward fiction. “Poetry helped me express my emotions, but fiction is where I can truly explore worlds and characters beyond my own experiences,” she says.

Currently, Lauren is working on a fiction novel, which is an amalgamation of her own experiences and her creativity. Though still in progress, she feels passionately about the story and characters she’s developing. “Some of it is based on my own experiences and friendships, so that’s been interesting to write,” she explains. The process has allowed her to push beyond the personal confines of poetry, weaving a more expansive narrative. Fiction, for Lauren, is a new frontier where she can explore the emotional depth and complexities of characters in ways poetry cannot fully allow.

The shift from poetry to fiction, however, isn’t entirely separate. In fact, the emotional intimacy that defines her poetry continues to influence her fictional writing.

“I believe in the power of storytelling,” Lauren reflects, “whether it’s through poetry or prose. Both have the ability to help you see the world in a different way,” she adds.

Overcoming Challenges as a Writer

Lauren draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including personal experiences, nature, her family, and the people around her. “Other people inspire me, so I’ve started writing a lot of poetry about their experiences rather than my own,” she notes.

Like any writer, Lauren faces the dreaded writer’s block, especially when working on fiction. Her go-to remedy is a change of scenery. “Getting out of my apartment and going to write somewhere else, like a good coffee shop, really helps,” she says.

While she dreams of becoming a full-time author, Lauren understands the financial challenges that come with making a living from writing alone. Currently, she works as a digital marketing content creator, where she writes, edits, and develops strategies. “I enjoy it, and I do a lot of writing on a daily basis,” she says. For now, balancing her job and writing allows her to pursue her creative passions while maintaining financial stability.

For aspiring authors, Lauren offers heartfelt advice: “Don’t be afraid of others reading your work.” She acknowledges the vulnerability that comes with sharing one’s writing but encourages writers to embrace the process. “If you want to be an author, write for yourself rather than what you think everyone else wants to read,” she adds.

As our conversation comes to a close, Lauren leaves readers with a poignant reminder: “You never know what people are going through.” Reflecting on how even her family members were surprised to learn the extent of her struggles after reading her book, she urges kindness and empathy. “It’s just a great reminder to always be kind to others because you don’t know what their struggles and experiences are.”

This was written by our contributing writer, Sarah Hernaez.