Laurie Gough on Living a Fantastic Life Through Writing and Travel

Introduction

Dr. Allen Lycka welcomes journalist and award-winning author Laurie Gough to discuss her remarkable journey as a memoirist, travel writer, and editor. Laurie has authored three memoirs and had over 20 stories anthologized in literary travel collections. She shares insights into her writing process, her passion for travel, and how she helps others craft their life stories.

Key Discussion Points

Laurie's Journey into Writing

• Laurie started traveling at a young age and kept journals during her adventures.
• She traveled to 44 countries in her twenties and thirties, gathering stories that inspired her first travel memoirs.
• Her passion for writing stems from her desire to document and share unique experiences.

What Makes Memoir Writing Unique

• Memoirs vs. Autobiographies: Memoirs are not full-life stories; they focus on specific life events or themes.
• Laurie explains how memoirs capture a "window into life" and emphasize personal moments, such as relationships, travels, or challenges.

Travel Stories That Shaped Her Writing

• Fiji: Laurie lived on a remote island, teaching school and discovering a culture untouched by television at the time.
• Morocco: From pretending to be married to avoid cultural conflicts to being rolled up in a carpet for warmth, Laurie shares fascinating and humorous stories from her travels.

Writing About Personal Challenges: "Stolen Child"

• Laurie’s third memoir, Stolen Child, chronicles her son’s battle with OCD, which developed after the death of his grandfather.
• She shares how cognitive-behavioral therapy helped her son overcome OCD, offering hope and guidance to families facing similar challenges.

Helping Others Write Their Stories

• Laurie now focuses on mentoring writers and helping them craft memoirs, personal essays, and travel stories.
• She conducts feedback and critique sessions via Zoom, where participants share chapters and receive constructive feedback.

Laurie's Insights on Writing and Living Authentically

• Writing helps bridge the gap between our inner selves and how we present ourselves to the world.
• Keeping journals and paying attention to specific details enriches storytelling.
• She encourages writers to tackle challenging or nervous topics, as they often hold the most compelling stories.

Resources and Contact Information

• Laurie Gough’s Website: www.lauriegough.com
• Find her books, articles, and information on writing and editing services.
• Laurie offers limited spaces for editing and mentoring aspiring writers.
• Dr. Allen Lycka’s Website: www.drallenlycka.com
• Sign up for Dr. Lycka’s Golden Pearls and enter for a chance to win exciting travel prizes.

Memorable Quotes

• "Writing allows for a full expression of our deepest selves. It helps us understand and reflect on our lives in a profound way." – Laurie Gough
• "When you travel, you should not take anything but your memories and leave nothing but your footsteps." – Dr. Allen Lycka

BIO:

Laurie Gough is a journalist and award-winning author of three memoirs: Kite Strings of the Southern Cross: A Woman’s Travel Odyssey; Kiss the Sunset Pig: An American Road Trip with Exotic Detours; and Stolen Child: A Mother’s Journey to Rescue Her Son from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Over twenty of her stories have been anthologized in literary travel books and her books have been translated into several languages. She has been a travel columnist for The Globe and Mail, and has written for The Guardian, The L.A. Times, Maclean’s, The Walrus, USA Today, Canadian Geographic, among others. Now she helps writers craft their own memoirs, helping them shape their life stories so their stories can be enjoyed by others.

Social Media:

Website: lauriegough.com

https://www.facebook.com/LaurieGoughAuthor/