An Interview with L’Travia Crawford
L’Travia Crawford is an author, currently living in NC, who writes from the raw edges of the heart, exploring the beauty and ache of love, the quiet devastation of heartbreak, and the strength found in healing. When not writing, L’Travia finds comfort in baking delicious baked goods, or spending time with her pet Simba, always seeking the small moments of softness that make life worth savoring.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
This book started off as poetry that was originally written for my eyes only during my healing journey throughout my separation and divorce process. It was my way of expressing my emotions and coming to terms with the fact that it is okay to still have love for someone who has caused pain in your life. The biggest thing is to know when to let go, and to pour that love into yourself and remain true to yourself. Don’t let other people’s actions determine who you are as an individual. Never regret the love that you’ve given someone else. You were placed in their life for a reason even if it was for just a season.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title Mosaic came to be mainly because of my favorite poem in the book, Broken Pieces. It’s the act of taking those pieces in your life that has been shattered and having the courage to put them back together again. The work in progress is not going to be the same as it was beforehand, but the final product will be a beautiful, even better piece of art than it was before. What was meant to harm you ends up working out for your good, bringing you to an even better version of you.
Describe your dream book cover.
To have ‘New York Times Best Selling Author’ somewhere on the cover. That would be a dream come true.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
This question is a bit of a hard one. I am a person who truly believes that music is the universal language. I would say some of the songs that could possibly be on a soundtrack for Mosaic are Soldier of Love by Sade, No Ordinary Love by Sade, Human by Rag’n’Bone Man, Either Way by Chris Stapleton, Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye ft. Kimbra, and Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. These are just a few of the songs that I know I had playing in the background around the time I was writing some of the poems in this book.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
As I continue to move forward with my writing process, I am enjoying reading books for comfort that the book club I’ve joined has been picking out over the past few months. Currently I am enjoying Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Unless you actually know me, you wouldn’t know that I have a background in biological sciences. I have worked as a microbiologist in the past. I have also been a sales associate for one of my favorite clothing stores and I’ve been a call center representative helping customers to troubleshoot their appliances over the phone.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Books, poetry, writing, have always been a passion of mine. Growing up I would stay up late reading books by Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, just to name a few. I always had either my mom or my grandmother taking me to the town library to pick up as many books as they would let me check out at a time.
The imagery and feelings you get from a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe is unmatched. I would say that my English teachers I had throughout grade school and even some of my English professors in college helped to shape my love for reading and writing. To have English teachers like Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Sutherland, just to name a few, was truly a blessing.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I actually don’t have a favorite place to write at the moment. I tend to jot down notes, whether they are handwritten or voice memos, whenever the inspiration hits me. I never know what will jog my creativity.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
I would tell my past self to not be so hard on myself. You never know who your work could help or inspire and always remember to give yourself grace. This is an outlet to express yourself and there’s no right or wrong way to be you.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
One thing I hope sticks with my readers after they’ve finished Mosaic is to believe in themselves. I want them to know that they are more than what life has thrown at them. Love is a beautiful thing, and I don’t believe there is a such thing as loving the wrong person. Each person who has entered our lives, entered for a reason, even if it was for a brief season. All of our interactions that we have with people and things around us help to shape us into the person we are today.
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