Conversations with Creatives: Author Laura DeNooyer

I’m so excited to introduce author Laura DeNooyer to you today!

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Heidi Chiavaroli. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

Christina: Let’s talk about books! What is your book called?

Laura: A Hundred Magical Reasons

Christina: When was it released?

Laura: January 7, 2025

Christina: Is it a series?

Laura: It’s a standalone novel—split-time historical fiction & biographical literary fiction.

Christina: I love split-time books. Can you share your blurb with us?

Laura:

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight.

This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink. In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream.

While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.

As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

Christina: That sounds so interesting. What inspired you to write this book?

Laura: While reading a biography about L. Frank Baum ten years ago, I learned that his family summered at the same lake where our family vacations yearly—at the other end of Lake Macatawa near Holland, Michigan, and a century earlier. That was a fun little connection.

In learning about his life, I was smitten. Baum was such an innovative, larger-than-life personality—no surprise there, given that he created the Land of Oz. He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist.) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.

Having always wanted to write a novel set in the turn of the century—a time of great innovation with new inventions and growing technology—Baum fit perfectly into my plans.

He was fascinated by these things and his creativity bubbled up alongside it all. Some of his stories foreshadow future technology.

Christina: I love hearing how authors come up with their stories. What’s your favorite part of your writing process?

Laura: I love every aspect of writing: conjuring ideas, free-writing initial scenes, thinking through the plot, revising and editing–-as each draft makes it sparkle more. It’s hard work that feels like play. But here’s an irony: though I’m an introvert and get my energy from being alone, I can be tired after a day of grappling with all my characters’ personalities and problems!

Sometimes I dread the editing process, especially if the manuscript has become long and unwieldy. I’ve learned how to “slash and burn” my words on the page to cut the manuscript down to more manageable proportions. It’s both painful and rewarding.

Christina: I can totally understand the “slash and burn” time. That is sometimes painful.

Can you share any challenges you faced during the research or writing process?

Laura: Recreating Baum on the page was my biggest challenge. My purpose went beyond just getting the facts straight about his life. I wanted to create his essence so that readers would experience what it was like to be with him. How it felt to sit on his porch with him while drinking lemonade. Or operate a printing press together. I fashioned much of the story’s events around Baum’s life landmarks, the ups and downs of his career. My protagonist Janie takes on challenges inspired by some of Baum’s career choices. Part of my challenge was shaping the lives of two protagonists who were influenced by Baum and weaving them through two timelines.

My story spotlights a young girl, Janie, whose pious parents have no use for fun, frivolity, fairies, fantasy, or fiction. Then Janie meets L. Frank Baum.

Christina: That’s wonderful attention to detail. What fun for your readers!

If you could give one piece of advice to budding creatives, what would it be?

Laura: If you love writing stories, then stick to it, no matter what! Surround yourself with knowledgeable people on the same road. Join a quality writers group that will give you honest feedback with tact. You need to be challenged and pushed, but always with encouragement and kindness.

Christina: Good advice!

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Laura: Baum’s stories are all about stirring the child’s imagination, and that’s a key element of my novel. I firmly believe that since we’re all made in the Creator’s image, everybody is creative in his own way. I hope this story inspires readers to use their own imaginations.

Other themes are woven in too, such as learning to be yourself when others try to keep you in a box. A Hundred Magical Reasons would make a great book club book. I hope the story raises questions and encourages pondering.

Christina: What has been the most rewarding part of your publishing journey?

Laura: There are many landmarks and stepping stones along the writing and publishing path, but the most meaningful one for me is getting feedback from readers. Whenever a reader takes time to reach out and tell me how my story has impacted her in some way, I feel like I’ve accomplished one of my key purposes as an author. I’ve used my storytelling voice to touch someone at the heart level. That’s a huge reward.

Christina: Now for some fun! Name something quirky in your workspace.

Laura: I’m a child at heart, so my study reflects that. I’m surrounded by whimsical figures and miniatures, including a few Ozzy items, though I’m no collector. However, I’m thrilled to have the MGM Scarecrow Ray Bolger’s framed autograph! My mom got that for me when she met him on a trip. As an avid Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry fan, I have a Barney Fife lunchbox. Furthermore, my book rack is stuffed full of illustrated children’s books.

Christina: What book are you reading right now?

Laura: Tessa Afshar’s The Queen’s Cook, set in Persia during the time of Esther. I alternate between contemporary, historical, and Biblical fiction, with an occasional YA or fantasy.

Christina: If you could have dinner with any author, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

Laura: No surprise here, but after doing so much research about L. Frank Baum’s life, I would definitely like to spend time with him! I hope it would be a long dinner, though. I have at least a hundred questions. And I’d love to listen to him tell stories.

Christina: What upcoming writing projects are you working on?

Laura: While I was busy raising a family, I did some writing on the side (and published one book), but now with an empty nest, I want to do something with all those manuscripts. Of my novels, I have 3 stories that are contemporary women’s fiction, 1 Biblical fiction, 1 historical fiction, and a fantasy series. I’m all over the board. But the one I hope to publish next is another split-time novel set in a small Wisconsin town, with a contemporary and 1950s timeline.

Christina: Thank you so much Laura for sharing a glimpse into your writing world!

For more information about Laura and her books, check out the links below!

Monthly Newsletter—sign up for 7 free recipes: A-Taste-Of-Oz-Cookbook-Sampler.com

Website: https://lauradenooyer-author.com

Purchase link for Amazon:

https://scrivenings.link/ahundredmagicalreasons

BookBub:

http://www.bookbub.com/books/a-hundred-magical-reasons-by-laura-denooyer

GoodReads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222349325-1-hundred-magical-reasons

Purchase link for Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hundred-magical-reasons-laura-