By Tabitha Evans Moore, EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Lynchburg native Laken Ward Hipps says she started writing eight years ago, but it wasn’t until she gave birth to her two biggest fans – her 11-year-old son, Gunner, and eight-year-old daughter, Hazel – that she got brave enough to publish her first novel.
“My overactive imagination often leads me to think of book ideas while at work, or when picking up my kids. I would excitedly tell them all about them, and their enthusiasm and support would inspire and motivate me to keep writing,” Hipps says. “As a mother, it brings me joy to hear how much they believe in me and my stories.”
That novel, Broken Trust, Wounded Soul, follows the story of a teenage girl who becomes a sexual assault victim on prom night.
The plot summary states that the novel “delves into the harrowing journey of Brin Thompson after a life-altering night. Struggling with the echoes of betrayal, she seeks solace and strength in Wilder, a beacon of support in her tumultuous world. Together, they navigate the intricate web of emotions and challenges that arise, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. This powerful story intertwines the complexity of relationships and the quest for healing, promising a narrative rich in depth and emotional resonance.”
Reading and writing to heal old wounds
Hipps says she first became interested in writing books while doing a different kind of writing – songwriting with her father, David Ward, a popular local musician, who passed away in 2009.
“We bonded over writing when I was younger,” she explains. “Growing up, I wasn’t much of a reader, but at 19-years-old, I started reading more. One of the first books I read was The Shack while my dad was in hospice. I would sit by his bedside and read, and I finished the book the night before he passed away. That book helped me cope with his death and sort through my emotions.”
Writing her first published novel also helped Hipps sort through another set of emotions. She admits that the main character, Brin, is loosely based on her own experiences.
“While not everything in her story is based on mine, some of it resonates with my life. I understand that it’s a difficult topic to read about, but unfortunately, it’s an everyday reality for many women,” Hipps explains. “These subjects hit close to home for me, and writing about them was a way for me to confront and overcome my own struggles from the past. It wasn’t easy; there were a lot of tears shed during the writing process. However, I felt compelled to share my story in hopes of helping others who have gone through similar experiences. My goal is to let them know that they can overcome their pain and hardships.”
The writing process and challenge of self-publishing
Hipps says her writing process is simple and the secret to producing an actual published novel is consistency and perseverance.
“I have a varied writing routine. I jot down ideas on a notepad at work, then revise and type them up when I get home. I aim to write every other week, as that’s when I have my kids. I make sure to balance my work and writing schedule so I can still spend quality time with them,” Hipps says. “As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to value writing more and have learned to push through and complete my projects. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I take a break and let my mind recharge before returning to it.”
Hipps self-published her first book and says that a fellow writer and co-worker helped her navigate the process.
“One of my coworkers, Ashley Blessing, helped me get started,” Hipps says. “She recently began writing and publishing herself, so she had plenty of experience and advice to share. She really motivated me and I’m grateful for her support. Whenever I had questions, she was there to answer them. I knew my first book wouldn’t be perfect, but that’s just how it goes with most things you try for the first time. The key is to keep pushing through until you get it right.”
One of the not so fun things about publishing on a major platform like Amazon for a new writer – or any writer – are the reviews. Hipps’ book currently enjoys a four-star rating, but she has received negative reviews. She says she shrugs them off and uses them to improve her future writing.
“I have received some negative feedback, but I expected it,” she says. “Not everyone will like my ideas or writing, and that’s okay. In fact, I am grateful for the bad review because it provided constructive criticism that will improve my second book and future works. I wish I could thank the reviewer, as their advice was valuable to me. I see bad reviews as an opportunity to improve and do better on my next project.”
Hipps says Broken Trust, Wounded Soul is Book 1 of a series and she plans to publish the second book around March of this year.
“I’ve been working on it since I finished the first book, so I have a clear vision of where I want the story to go,” she says. “Since money was tight, I did everything myself on the first book, knowing there would be mistakes. But I took the risk and plan to use the profits from Book 1 to improve the second one.”
Hipps says her advice to any would-be novelist reading this interview would be to just, “go for it.”
“Failure is only a possibility, not a definite outcome,” Hipps says. “I would have never thought I could publish a book 10 years ago, but here I am, chasing my dreams. It’s normal to feel scared or uncomfortable when pursuing something new, but that’s how we grow as individuals. I also love teaching my kids that age doesn’t limit their potential – it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Many people seek inspiration or truth, and I hope my books can provide that for them one day.”
If you would like to read Hipps’ first novel, it’s available on Amazon in both paperback and hardcover at this link. •
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