Podcast Summary: "Laura Diamond, SHELTER US" on Totally Booked with Zibby
Episode Details:
- Podcast: Totally Booked with Zibby (formerly Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books)
- Host: Zibby Owens
- Guest: Laura Nicole Diamond
- Release Date: January 27, 2025
Introduction to Laura Nicole Diamond
In this episode, Zibby Owens welcomes Laura Nicole Diamond, an accomplished author known for her novels and memoirs that delve deep into themes of life, family, and resilience. Laura introduces herself as the author of “Shelter Us,” the award-winning “Dance With: A Memoir of Her Grandmother,” and the editor of the anthology “Deliver True: Confessions of Motherhood.” She shares insights into her life, including her journey from a small-town upbringing to living in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, and her experiences raising two sons.
Notable Quote:
“I never envisioned being a novelist or a professional writer. I was almost always, you know, since my childhood, a journal keeper, a diary keeper.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [07:59]
Deep Dive into "Shelter Us"
Laura provides a comprehensive overview of her novel "Shelter Us," describing it as a story centered on longing for meaning and connection, survival, resilience, love, and hope. The narrative follows two women, Sarah and Josie, whose lives intersect in a fender bender in downtown Los Angeles. Sarah, a former lawyer turned suburban stay-at-home mom, grapples with profound grief after the loss of her infant daughter and the passing of her own mother. Josie, a young homeless mother, unexpectedly enters Sarah's life, leading to a transformative relationship that fosters healing for both.
Notable Quotes:
“The story is about two women, Sarah and Josie. ... Sarah becomes fixated on this young mother and her toddler and the stories about their burgeoning relationship and how they challenge each other and help each other find some kind of healing.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [02:09]
“Once that switch is flipped and you're taking care of another life, you see danger everywhere.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [06:32]
Exploring Themes of Motherhood and Grief
The conversation delves into the emotional landscape of Sarah’s character, highlighting the immense grief she carries from losing her daughter and mother. Laura emphasizes the universal fears and responsibilities that come with motherhood, such as the constant vigilance to protect one’s children. She reflects on how these fears manifest in the narrative, driving Sarah’s actions and her deepening connection with Josie.
Notable Quote:
“The fear that you don't get warned about before you become a parent, at least I didn't. And I hope it's universal because it hit me.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [05:00]
Laura’s Writing Journey
Laura shares her personal journey into writing, starting from her childhood practice of journaling to her eventual transition into novel writing. She recounts how her daily journals during law school and motherhood served as the foundation for her storytelling. The shift from personal narratives to fictional characters allowed her to explore deeper emotional themes and craft compelling stories that resonate with readers.
Notable Quote:
“I wanted to write a novel because I want to explore some of these things that I have not been through. My life's kind of dull and I want to be able to say some other things and explore this grief and explore this connection with these two characters.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [10:00]
From Fiction to Reality: Laura’s Memoir and Fostering Journey
A pivotal moment in Laura's life occurred when she and her husband received a request to foster a teenage asylum seeker from Guatemala. This real-life experience mirrored the themes of her novel, prompting her to embark on writing a memoir. Laura discusses the emotional and legal complexities of fostering Maria, the young woman who became part of their family for over five years. This experience not only influenced her writing but also led her to re-engage with asylum law, bridging her personal life with her professional pursuits.
Notable Quotes:
“After I wrote this book ... I got an email ... She is this wonderful person. ... we ended up ... Maria moved into our house.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [13:42]
“The memoir really explores her journey and our journey with her as a family.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [14:47]
Humanizing Homelessness Through Storytelling
Laura emphasizes the importance of humanizing statistics by telling individual stories. Through her interactions with homeless mothers at a local Los Angeles organization, she gained profound insights into their resilience and resourcefulness. These experiences informed her writing, allowing her to create authentic characters who navigate the complexities of homelessness with strength and dignity.
Notable Quotes:
“It's how we process information, is through story, not through data and numbers and percentages and all of that.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [18:25]
“People are just people.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [19:59]
Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles
The discussion shifts to the current state of homelessness in Los Angeles, particularly in Pacific Palisades. Laura highlights the compassionate efforts of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, which focuses on providing outreach and housing solutions rather than mere displacement. She underscores the complexity and intractability of homelessness, advocating for humane and effective interventions.
Notable Quotes:
“It's really fantastic. It's very compassionate.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [22:10]
“The end goal is the same.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [23:00]
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Laura offers heartfelt advice to budding writers, emphasizing patience and self-acceptance. She encourages authors to avoid comparing their progress to others and to embrace their unique writing pace. Drawing from personal experiences, she shares strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and staying committed to the craft, reminding writers that perseverance is key.
Notable Quotes:
“Things take the time they take.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [24:18]
“Your writer, if that's how you engage with your spirit and others.”
— Laura Nicole Diamond [25:43]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Zibby expressing her gratitude to Laura for sharing her immersive storytelling and the profound emotions evoked by her work. Laura reciprocates the appreciation, highlighting the joy she found in discussing her books and personal experiences.
Notable Quote:
“You're a really good writer and it was really a joy to read. So thank you.”
— Zibby Owens [27:13]
Final Thoughts
Laura Nicole Diamond's episode on Totally Booked with Zibby offers listeners an intimate look into the creation of "Shelter Us," her personal journey through grief and motherhood, and the transformative experience of fostering a young asylum seeker. Her eloquent discussions provide valuable insights into the power of storytelling to humanize complex social issues and the resilience required in both writing and parenting.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, introductory remarks, and concluding statements to focus solely on the content-rich discussions between Zibby Owens and Laura Nicole Diamond.