ESTEVAN — A room of eager listeners at the Estevan Public Library was treated to an intimate author reading on Nov. 16, as AnnaRose Lawrence stepped into the spotlight to share her creative journey.
The event, attended by over 20 individuals, was not only a showcase of her published story but also an inspiring glimpse into her upcoming book, writing process and personal motivations.
Lawrence, the library's adult program co-ordinator, is an emerging author who has been quietly crafting her narratives for several years.
"It's a bit weird because normally I'm the one introducing the author," she said with a smile, addressing the unique blend of her roles as both the event host and its main attraction.
The author's reading revolved around Lawrence's story, The Curse of the Draconic, featured in the anthology Creatures, Crowns, and Curses. The tale was entered into a writing contest hosted by Quill and Flame, a publisher committed to producing clean, family-friendly stories.
"I'd entered one of their contests before and lost," Lawrence revealed.
Undeterred, she crafted a new story to fit a different contest.
"I wrote something similar to a story I'd done before but reworked it completely," she explained, emphasizing the collaborative role her family and friends played in refining the final version.
Lawrence's talk provided a personal look into her writing process. She traced the roots of her storytelling back to her childhood, fueled by an overactive imagination and a desire to explore worlds beyond her own.
"Short stories are all the adventures I didn't have time for," she said.
The creative process for The Curse of the Draconic wasn't without its challenges. Working with a tight word count and a deadline, Lawrence rewrote the story multiple times with feedback from her close-knit circle of beta readers.
"Writing is complicated, and creating worlds is complicated," she noted.
Her efforts paid off, as her story was selected for publication, joining 16 other written and some photo pieces in a collection that has become a fundraiser for the Hair for All Foundation.
"All the proceeds from book sales go to creating wigs for individuals with cancer or alopecia," Lawrence shared, highlighting the philanthropic aspect of the anthology.
The book is available online through Amazon as an electronic and physical copy.
Lawrence also shared with the audience an exclusive announcement about her first solo book, Through the Puddles, slated for publication in March 2025. The book compiles 20 of the best short stories from the first year of her website, Umbrella Stories, which she began as a creative outlet during the challenges of the pandemic.
"2020 was hard for everyone, and journaling is the bane of my existence," Lawrence said. "So, I started writing short stories to process all of my emotions, and after a while, I wanted to share those stories."
She described her website as a place for readers to "puddle jump through stories," emphasizing her belief in the transformative power of short fiction.
The forthcoming collection captures what she calls "the joy of puddle jumping," a metaphor for escaping into whimsical adventures.
"Can you remember the last time you jumped in a puddle? Nothing brings out your inner child like puddle jumping," Lawrence said, reading from the book's blurb. "Get lost in whimsical tales of dragons, knights, monsters, princesses, potions, love, loss, a hint of reality – no rain gear required."
Lawrence encouraged attendees to stay connected through her newsletter, Umbrella Ramblings, and/or by following her writing and publishing progress on her social media through AnnaRose's Umbrella Stories pages.
The event ended with a reading of The Curse of the Draconic, transporting the audience to a kingdom in turmoil as a cursed princess navigates a world of magic and mystery. Attendees praised Lawrence's storytelling and asked some questions during the Q&A session that followed.
For those interested in following her work, Lawrence's website, www.annarosesumbrellastories.com, remains the gateway to her enchanting world – one puddle jump at a time.
