“This Was My 10th Manuscript…”

Why you should never stop writing—even when it feels like no one’s listening

For Lauren Keegan, the writing journey wasn’t a straight line. It was a decade-long odyssey of persistence, rejection, and quiet hope.

Before her dazzling debut All the Bees in the Hollow won the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, she wrote nine full-length manuscripts—each one honing her craft, building her resilience, and teaching her something new.

In this week’s episode of Writes4Women, Pamela Cook sits down with Lauren to talk about the winding road to publication, the power of psychological insight in storytelling, and what really lies beneath our characters’ fears and flaws.

Whether you’re knee-deep in revisions or wrestling with imposter syndrome, Lauren’s story will remind you: your writing matters, even before anyone else sees it.

🍿 For paid subscribers: Lauren Keegan opens up about the moments that nearly made her walk away—writing her 10th manuscript during lockdown with two kids and a full-time job, every agent saying no, and the surprise email that changed everything. Plus, the emotional whiplash of finally saying yes to publication—and why trusting her gut became the most important part of the process.

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Here are the top three takeaways from Pam’s conversation with Lauren:

1. You Might Not Be “There” Yet—But You’re Getting Closer With Every Draft 🛤️

Lauren’s debut wasn’t her first attempt. It was her tenth novel—and the first that received a publishing deal. The others? Practice. Growth. Lessons.

With each manuscript, she learned something new about character, structure, and voice. Rejections went from form emails to personalised feedback. She didn’t give up—because writing, for her, wasn’t just about the end goal. It was about the love of the craft.

💡 Takeaway for Writers: Progress isn’t always visible. Just because no one’s clapping yet doesn’t mean the work isn’t working. Every story you write sharpens your skills and shapes your path. Keep going.

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2. Your Characters Aren’t Their Traits—They’re Their Relationships 💬

With her background as a perinatal psychologist, Lauren doesn’t start with a character’s personality. She starts with how they relate. Who are they when they’re grieving? How do they show up in conflict? What makes them feel safe—or unsafe?

This approach brings emotional depth to All the Bees in the Hollow, where a mother and daughter struggle to reconnect after profound loss. Their relationship is layered, raw, and real—and their growth feels earned, not forced.

💡 Takeaway for Writers: Want deeper characters? Stop asking “what are they like?” and start asking “how do they connect—or disconnect—from others?” Character is revealed in relationships.

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3. Writing Emotion Comes from Feeling It First 🐝

Lauren didn’t just write about 16th-century Lithuania and beekeeping folklore. She immersed herself in it—layer by layer, draft by draft. Her writing is lush and lyrical, but it didn’t arrive that way on the first pass.

Instead, she focused on getting the bones of the story down, then returned to enrich it with metaphor, sensory detail, and the emotional truths she saw in her characters.

💡 Takeaway for Writers: You don’t have to write beautiful sentences on the first try. Get the story out. Then come back and weave in the feeling, the layers, the texture. Writing is rewriting.

Connect with Lauren

• Instagram

• Website

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✨ Subscriber Bonus: The Manuscript, the Mentorship & the Moment Everything Changed ✨

What really happened before All the Bees in the Hollow hit the shelves? Lauren tells all…

If you’ve ever stared down a blinking cursor wondering, Is this ever going to lead anywhere?, this one’s for you.

In this honest, deeply encouraging bonus segment, Lauren Keegan lifts the curtain on the real story behind her debut novel—the ten manuscripts that came before it, the rejections that almost broke her, and the one unexpected “yes” that changed everything.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:

• The 6-month mentorship that nearly broke her—but also birthed her breakthrough book

• Why every single agent in Australia passed on her manuscript (yep, every one)

• How she kept writing through lockdowns, burnout, and a career in psychology

• The moment a publisher said “I love it”—and she hadn’t even finished rereading the draft

• The quiet power of writing retreats, notebooks in nappy bags, and knowing when to trust your voice

💛 This full bonus chat is only available for paid subscribers. For just $7/month, you’ll get exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews like this, writerly pep talks, and creative tools to keep you moving forward.

🎧 Get Inspired. Get Encouraged. Get Writing.

Happy writing! 🎉