Ten questions with Laura Ashley Gallagher, author of ‘Watch Over My Life’

Laura Ashley Gallagher, author of the forthcoming book ‘Watch Over My Life’

Ten questions with Laura Ashley Gallagher, author of ‘Watch Over My Life’  

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Jade Crowe  

Laura Ashley Gallagher is a Limerick-based author from Dooradoyle. Laura Ashley grew up with a passion for both music and writing.  

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We chatted with Laura Ashley about her upcoming book ‘Watch Over My Life’ which will be released on July 31, 2021.  

What was your childhood like and where did you grow up?  
  
I grew up in Pennywell, Limerick City with my parents and my older sister. My parents gave me an amazing childhood and nurtured my talents. I went to St. John’s primary school, and at age eleven, I began singing and piano lessons. I continued that when I went to the Limerick School of Music until the age of eighteen. There I studied piano, singing, and drama. Most of my childhood revolved around music and I spent my teenage years doing musicals and plays. We moved to Dooradoyle in 2004 and I have been living here since.  
  
When did you begin to write and what was your motivation behind it?  
  
I have always been an avid reader but began writing in secondary school. I loved English, and when coming up to the leaving cert we had to practice short stories, I realized I really enjoyed writing. That is when I started writing novels. I knew I couldn’t get what I wanted across in 1500 words.    
  
Is ‘Watch Over My Life’ your first book? And when did you begin writing it?  
  
Yes, ‘Watch Over My Life’ is my first book to be published. I began writing ‘Watch Over My Life’ around 11 years ago and I finished it within weeks. There is a topic in the book that I hold very close to my heart–an illness that my principal character, Jessica, is diagnosed with. It turns out as fate would have it, and in a world full of irony, three years after completing the book, I was diagnosed with the same illness. It gave me the opportunity to go back to the book and add first-hand accounts and experiences through my main character.    
  
When will the book be released and what can people expect from it?  
  
The book is due for release on July 31st. From this story, I hope people get lost in it. Particularly in the year, everyone has had, I hope it brings some escapism.   

 
Have you any exciting upcoming projects in store?  
  
Yes, I am very excited because my 2nd novel, Losing Love, is due for release in early 2022. After that, there is a book trilogy planned so I have a busy year or two ahead.  
  
What was the greatest challenge that you have experienced along the way?  
  
On a personal level, as I mentioned before, certain medical problems really put a halt to my writing, and it took me a few years to get the courage to go back to it. Professionally, writing can be quite a difficult field to break into, but I have been blessed throughout the years with a great following.    
  
What advice would you give to an aspiring author?  

Put your doubts aside and never give up. Give yourself a word count challenge every day and aim to write maybe 500 words.  

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?  

I would like to see another few books under my belt. Once I keep thinking of ideas, then I will always want to write and tell stories.    
  
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?  

I have always been very family orientated, and I am so proud of the family I have with my husband and son. On the professional side, it would have to be that I can finally say I have been published. Holding your own book in your hand is an amazing feeling.  
  
And lastly, what do you love about Limerick?  
  
The people of Limerick are amazing. When I first announced that I had been published, there were certain nerves that came with it. But the support I have received has been amazing. Also, if you are in any way creatively minded, Limerick is a great place to nurture that.  

For more information on Laura, Ashley Gallagher go HERE 

For more stories on Limerick, authors go HERE

About ‘Watch Over My Life’ released July 31st, 2021: 

The cover of ‘Watch Over My Life’

‘This story centres around Jessica Connors, a young woman who thinks she has her life figured out – a successful career, independent and hiding a life-threatening illness.  
  

She plans to keep it that way even when Jake Williams comes crashing into her life. As her brother’s childhood friend and now her boss, she despises everything about him. So, when she wakes up in his bed one morning, she wonders how she has ended up there.  
  
Their one-night stand sets off a series of surprising events that will bring the pair closer than ever, and she gives away something she never knew he wanted, her heart.  
  
Her life becomes everything she has dreamed of, but dreams don’t last forever. Somebody always wakes you eventually.  
   

When Jessica wakes, she is forced to face a past that is haunting her, and secrets best left unspoken – secrets that will change both of their lives forever.’  
  
It is a story about the sacrifices we make for love and the emotional rollercoaster life can bring us on.