Hi! I'm Lauren. I thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself.
I live in Brisbane, Australia with my husband, my two gorgeous (and completely wild) sons, and our rascal of a dog, who in Steven Bradbury fashion is the unlikely champion of calm and patience in our household.
After my first child was born, I found myself in a bit of a predicament. He didn’t sleep. Ever. The only way I could get him to entertain the thought of a little shuteye was by driving him around in the car. As soon as he would begin to doze, I’d pull the car over before I did too. And then what?
I quickly realised sleeping in the car myself was not an option. I tried a few times. The first time a kindly stranger woke me (and the baby) up by tapping on the car window, just to check that everything was alright. We’re all very grateful that I was too tired to act on the impulse to beat the kindly out of that woman. After another attempt, when an unkempt looking gentleman tried to get into the passenger seat while my baby and I both slept in the car, I very quickly ruled out sleeping in the car in a public place.
Reading was the obvious answer. Except I was soooo tired! I just couldn’t quite keep my eyes open, no matter how good the book was.
Then my husband suggested I write something. It would take some mental energy, hopefully keep me awake, keep me stimulated.
I’ve always been a book lover. But a writer? What would I write? Did I even have anything to say? I had no plan. I had no idea what I would write. But I pulled out my laptop and began, sitting in the car in the McDonalds car park, using their free wifi, while my son slept in the back.
And so my novel, Perfect Lives, was born.
Nowadays I’m juggling two little boys (who still don’t sleep as much as I’d like, really) and a career, while writing my second novel. With the insanity of motherhood — and the plethora of tasks and appointments and washing and stuff that comes with it — my novel is plodding along quite slowly. But I promise it will get finished. And there will be another after that. And then another, and maybe even a sequel to Perfect Lives, which I hear is in demand.
In the meantime, I’ll share bite sized chunks (much more conducive to my sleep deprived, addled brain) of my musings with you here.