13.10.2022
Inspiring Makers: Laura Pashby
Image Credit: Xanthe Berkeley
Laura is a truly inspiring writer, photographer and creative. Her book, Little Stories of Your Life is an exploration of storytelling, creativity & self that will encourage you to pick up your camera or pen again and pursue your own creative path. It sits proudly on our coffee table.
We are so grateful that she agreed to share her wisdom with us over this interview. Laura has the most magical, enchanting writing voice and way of capturing the world through her camera. So sit down with a good cup of tea, and enjoy the magic.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
As a writer, I never feel more alive than when my thoughts cohere, the words begin to flow and my fingers start to fly. I’m addicted to that moment of bright clarity in which sentences come together. I’m awed by the mystery of inspiration and the sense of teasing something from the universe beyond, down onto the page.
What does a normal day look like for you?
My day starts with a whirlwind of activity because I have three children who need to get ready for school. Once the house is quiet I get on with writing, or research, or editing photographs, depending on what I’m currently working on. I often take myself up to the woods for a walk with my camera — that’s where I think most clearly. I have lunch in my kitchen, and then squeeze in some more writing time, or whizz through my emails before it’s time for school pickup. If I have time, I’ll pop into the charity shop en route to look for a new book to read.
Image Credit: Xanthe Berkeley
Do you have a morning ritual? How does this shape your day?
When I return home after the school run and close the door behind me, that’s when the morning that’s my own begins. I let my chickens out into the garden to scratch about, and then I head straight up to my loft room office for an hour or two of writing. Before I begin, I always look out of my little window to check on the huge beech tree opposite. Today, its leaves are starting to turn to gold.
Do you have any words of advice for people who want to make a successful business from their creative work?
Tell your story. Use the story of who you are, what you love and how you work to connect with your audience of potential customers. Use whatever channel you prefer to draw people into your world, letting them know what you do and why you do it.
Image Credit: Xanthe Berkeley
And finally, who or what inspires you?
A lot of my creative inspiration comes from the natural world — weather, light, the turning of the seasons, small daily changes in the world around us. I’m also inspired by the magic of the everyday — I talk about this a lot in my book.
Please share any products, books, or other linkable tools that you use a lot and love
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