Thank you Lauren. I can relate to every word and every emotion albeit for different reasons. Another soul relating to another in a cruel, confusing world. And thank you Jane for bringing Lauren into my universe.
lololol " I feel like it's important to support up and coming Pulitzer Prize winners." Less is my favorite book and I kind of forgot that Less Is Loss is a road book with a dog! All to say, all books need that "plot"? (Also, I would read a book by Andy that was about a collection of dried beans in his cupboard. Give me all the Andy!) Your road book with a dog will be beautiful, too. YES to the awkward kindness <3
"Some part of me thought wanting things made me a bad person." There must be so many who feel as Lauren did, and apparently still does to some degree. Why haven't I discovered her writing, when her perceptions are so fresh and frank? I'd be honored to make Lauren Hough a cup of coffee, or a Negroni if she'd prefer, and then talk about dogs and life.
Wanting things equating to being a burden and a bad person is the story I believed and still do to some extent about myself. I made it through the entire interview but not without a solid 30 minutes of sobbing hard enough to dry out my contacts on question 4. (I don’t know how dry contacts make sense. Tears soak tissues and everything else but somehow dry out my contacts) Lauren, your words articulated out loud give me hope. Thank you for being honest, open, and for a good cry.
I do have a little animal soulmate, his name is Presley. His face reminds me of Teddy’s. I feel inspired to start writing after reading about Lauren…but first I will read her book! Thank you Jane ♥️
Lauren is one of my favorite writers and even though I've followed her and read her book, this interview went deeper into some of the questions I'd have asked her if we were face-to-face or better friends online: her first book and how she is glad now that it never was published, Teddy - how he came into her life and how even now he has not left it. I have two dogs now - I may always have dogs -- but Rina, the one who died young was the Teddy of my life and even yesterday when I was out walking the two pups I have now, I saw her. She was sitting on a bench under a tree where we used to pause together.
The words about grief being love that has no where to go brought back flattened me. And her take on kindness, and wanting things -- all these make me think. I appreciated this interview very much.
I absolutely loved reading this article! Lauren Hough's candidness and authenticity are truly refreshing. Her journey from growing up with limited means and hiding her love for books to becoming a successful writer is inspiring.
One argument that really resonated with me was her exploration of how growing up in poverty can affect one's perception of wanting things. The idea that wanting something makes you feel like a burden or a bad person is something many people from similar backgrounds can relate to. Her journey of discovering what she likes, whether it's clothing or boots, and allowing herself to indulge in those preferences is a beautiful testament to self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Moreover, her description of her special relationship with her dog Teddy was heartwarming. It's amazing how animals can bring such joy and comfort into our lives, and her words captured the depth of that bond perfectly.
Lastly, her perspective on the role of social media, particularly Twitter, in providing opportunities for emerging writers is thought-provoking. It's true that social media platforms have been instrumental in connecting people and opening doors for talents that might have otherwise remained undiscovered.
I can't wait to read more of Lauren Hough's work, and I hope she continues to be a person that her younger self would be proud of. Cheers to her and her journey! 📚🐶👢✍️
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
I genuinely loved reading every word of this interview! Her voice is so good and real to read! I learned so much about Twitter and the meaning it had for writers. I never was on it. Sad fate of that app! Im anticipating that Substack can be a new kind of hope for upcoming gems in writing spheres too!
I looked up some of the authors she loves. Definitely sharing her 12yr old favorites with my son who loves Stephen King! And her childhood love of libraries hit home for me. I hid away in any place that cherished books. I even had a bookstore up the street that I would sneak read Romance novels when I was 14! The old man who worked there was always so kind to me, and like Belle in Beauty and the Beast would let me borrow books! Such a fond memory of mine!
I always picture my younger self at an abandoned bus stop. Waiting for me to come rescue her, because there was no way in hell I’d ever let anyone else do it. I imagine the moment I show up and little me telling adult me, “ you gotta be the slowest bitch ever”… “but you rocked that shit!”
In 2018 I started & completed the first book I had written since I was 14.. (I’m currently 55).. I spent those years finishing school, raising two children as a single parent. Including one with the complexities of Angelman Syndrome. I worked a lot of jobs to feed my kids & pay the mortgage… I eventually went back to school & became a medical lab tech… just another way to make money & not have time to write.
Since completing that book in 2018, I have written & finished 3 more.
I lost count of my rejections and having spent 13yrs in direct sales, I know it’s a number game… seems my sells numbers were much better in vacuums than books.
My children are grown & in 2017 I was given my 3yr old great niece to raise. My partner & I are doing the best we can to help her conquer her demons & heal. She is 10yrs old now and is writing her first book, on the same typewriter I wrote my first book on when I was 12yrs old.
I may never get anyone in the industry to read just one of my books, and she may never write another one, but today as I look for a new job, to pay the bills that writing doesn’t, I am grateful for stories like Lauren’s to remind me no matter the depth or quantity of pot holes in this road, there is always a place to park and catch your breath. Even if it’s only for a minute.
Good luck on the new book, I can’t wait to read it.
Stillness in the morning night but by light of phone I will read and finish soon like the Hardy Boy book mysteries of youth and playboy mags I hid in my drawers.
“I’m afraid to ruin any others. I think maybe books that meant something in a time belong in that time.” I’m with you. I read Catch-22 when I was 15 and it made me want to be a writer and I know better than to read it again.
Also loved the appreciation of awkward kindness. I’ll never forget a few years ago after my moms funeral. I was upstairs in a bedroom crying and a friend came in and put his hand on my shoulder. It was so great because I knew it was SO HARD FOR HIM. Like it took everything he could muster. I really treasure that memory.
I stumbled on Lauren’s hilarious Twitter a few years back, bought her book the minute it came out, and will read anything else she writes. Beautiful, honest, raw, and funny even when it’s sad. Love her.
Thank you Lauren. I can relate to every word and every emotion albeit for different reasons. Another soul relating to another in a cruel, confusing world. And thank you Jane for bringing Lauren into my universe.
lololol " I feel like it's important to support up and coming Pulitzer Prize winners." Less is my favorite book and I kind of forgot that Less Is Loss is a road book with a dog! All to say, all books need that "plot"? (Also, I would read a book by Andy that was about a collection of dried beans in his cupboard. Give me all the Andy!) Your road book with a dog will be beautiful, too. YES to the awkward kindness <3
"Some part of me thought wanting things made me a bad person." There must be so many who feel as Lauren did, and apparently still does to some degree. Why haven't I discovered her writing, when her perceptions are so fresh and frank? I'd be honored to make Lauren Hough a cup of coffee, or a Negroni if she'd prefer, and then talk about dogs and life.
Wanting things equating to being a burden and a bad person is the story I believed and still do to some extent about myself. I made it through the entire interview but not without a solid 30 minutes of sobbing hard enough to dry out my contacts on question 4. (I don’t know how dry contacts make sense. Tears soak tissues and everything else but somehow dry out my contacts) Lauren, your words articulated out loud give me hope. Thank you for being honest, open, and for a good cry.
God, this was beautiful. One of my favorites in this series!!!
I do have a little animal soulmate, his name is Presley. His face reminds me of Teddy’s. I feel inspired to start writing after reading about Lauren…but first I will read her book! Thank you Jane ♥️
Lauren is one of my favorite writers and even though I've followed her and read her book, this interview went deeper into some of the questions I'd have asked her if we were face-to-face or better friends online: her first book and how she is glad now that it never was published, Teddy - how he came into her life and how even now he has not left it. I have two dogs now - I may always have dogs -- but Rina, the one who died young was the Teddy of my life and even yesterday when I was out walking the two pups I have now, I saw her. She was sitting on a bench under a tree where we used to pause together.
The words about grief being love that has no where to go brought back flattened me. And her take on kindness, and wanting things -- all these make me think. I appreciated this interview very much.
I absolutely loved reading this article! Lauren Hough's candidness and authenticity are truly refreshing. Her journey from growing up with limited means and hiding her love for books to becoming a successful writer is inspiring.
One argument that really resonated with me was her exploration of how growing up in poverty can affect one's perception of wanting things. The idea that wanting something makes you feel like a burden or a bad person is something many people from similar backgrounds can relate to. Her journey of discovering what she likes, whether it's clothing or boots, and allowing herself to indulge in those preferences is a beautiful testament to self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Moreover, her description of her special relationship with her dog Teddy was heartwarming. It's amazing how animals can bring such joy and comfort into our lives, and her words captured the depth of that bond perfectly.
Lastly, her perspective on the role of social media, particularly Twitter, in providing opportunities for emerging writers is thought-provoking. It's true that social media platforms have been instrumental in connecting people and opening doors for talents that might have otherwise remained undiscovered.
I can't wait to read more of Lauren Hough's work, and I hope she continues to be a person that her younger self would be proud of. Cheers to her and her journey! 📚🐶👢✍️
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
I genuinely loved reading every word of this interview! Her voice is so good and real to read! I learned so much about Twitter and the meaning it had for writers. I never was on it. Sad fate of that app! Im anticipating that Substack can be a new kind of hope for upcoming gems in writing spheres too!
I looked up some of the authors she loves. Definitely sharing her 12yr old favorites with my son who loves Stephen King! And her childhood love of libraries hit home for me. I hid away in any place that cherished books. I even had a bookstore up the street that I would sneak read Romance novels when I was 14! The old man who worked there was always so kind to me, and like Belle in Beauty and the Beast would let me borrow books! Such a fond memory of mine!
I always picture my younger self at an abandoned bus stop. Waiting for me to come rescue her, because there was no way in hell I’d ever let anyone else do it. I imagine the moment I show up and little me telling adult me, “ you gotta be the slowest bitch ever”… “but you rocked that shit!”
In 2018 I started & completed the first book I had written since I was 14.. (I’m currently 55).. I spent those years finishing school, raising two children as a single parent. Including one with the complexities of Angelman Syndrome. I worked a lot of jobs to feed my kids & pay the mortgage… I eventually went back to school & became a medical lab tech… just another way to make money & not have time to write.
Since completing that book in 2018, I have written & finished 3 more.
I lost count of my rejections and having spent 13yrs in direct sales, I know it’s a number game… seems my sells numbers were much better in vacuums than books.
My children are grown & in 2017 I was given my 3yr old great niece to raise. My partner & I are doing the best we can to help her conquer her demons & heal. She is 10yrs old now and is writing her first book, on the same typewriter I wrote my first book on when I was 12yrs old.
I may never get anyone in the industry to read just one of my books, and she may never write another one, but today as I look for a new job, to pay the bills that writing doesn’t, I am grateful for stories like Lauren’s to remind me no matter the depth or quantity of pot holes in this road, there is always a place to park and catch your breath. Even if it’s only for a minute.
Good luck on the new book, I can’t wait to read it.
Stillness in the morning night but by light of phone I will read and finish soon like the Hardy Boy book mysteries of youth and playboy mags I hid in my drawers.
Blown away. Lauren’s ability to be real on the page is incredible. Love everything over at Bad Reads!
LOVED this q&a.
“I’m afraid to ruin any others. I think maybe books that meant something in a time belong in that time.” I’m with you. I read Catch-22 when I was 15 and it made me want to be a writer and I know better than to read it again.
Also loved the appreciation of awkward kindness. I’ll never forget a few years ago after my moms funeral. I was upstairs in a bedroom crying and a friend came in and put his hand on my shoulder. It was so great because I knew it was SO HARD FOR HIM. Like it took everything he could muster. I really treasure that memory.
This has, by far, been the BEST body, brain, & books mini interviews I’ve read on Beyond. Lauren Hough, thank you for making this so rich!
I stumbled on Lauren’s hilarious Twitter a few years back, bought her book the minute it came out, and will read anything else she writes. Beautiful, honest, raw, and funny even when it’s sad. Love her.
Nice