Please help me welcome today’s guest, L.B. Griffin…
“Creativity has woven itself through every stage of my life, colour, words, and human connections, good and bad, have shaped the person I have become. I’m still learning and still growing, but I realise why I chose creativity. They are the quiet companions that ask for nothing but time, imagination, and a willingness to sit with my own thoughts. I have also discovered they have been my safety net, and, in many ways, free therapy. The trouble is, despite the need to write or paint, by its very nature they are solitary pursuits. Hours can slip by as I lose myself in a canvas or a chapter. My poor husband can attest to that as he is often left to his own devices!
Anyway, the seed for Secrets, Shame and a Shoebox was planted years earlier during a conversation with my grandfather. He spoke fondly of a child his mother once fostered, a memory so vivid and tender, it has stayed with me fifty years on. That single recollection became the spark for two of my characters, Harriet and Kathleen. Though their backgrounds differ dramatically, they are drawn together by a chain of events neither could have foreseen. Their story is one of resilience, connection, and the unexpected ways lives intertwine.
My years as a lecturer, teaching vulnerable adults, and later in social work, also shaped the emotional landscape of the novels. Those experiences taught me about courage, compassion, and the quiet strength people carry even when life has been unkind. I remain deeply grateful for everything my students and clients taught me. It is their stories, struggles, and triumphs which echo through the pages of my book. In many ways, my passions, all stem from the same place: a desire to understand people and to honour their stories.
I think, while creativity may begin in solitude, its true power lies in connection. And that, more than anything, is what keeps me returning to the blank page. I hope in some small way, my stories resonate with my readers and if needed, offers a gentle nudge toward survival.
When I was offered a contract for my debut and subsequent companion, I couldn’t believe it and wanted to share the experience with others. I knew others were out there, writing in the quiet corners of their homes, unsure whether their words mattered. I wanted to reach them and build a space where creativity wasn’t something done in isolation, but something we nurtured together. That’s how my free writers’ workshop began. Today, I run three, free creative writing groups, all built on the simple belief that we grow stronger when we support one another. Watching new writers find their confidence has been amazing, and as fulfilling as writing itself.
“In a gentle way you can shake the world…” Mahatma Ghandi. Growing up on a council estate taught me resilience, perspective, and a strong sense of identity. I never saw my background as something to hide or apologise for. It was normal. My normal. And for everyone who lived there, it was theirs too.
That clarity became especially important during a conference where the speaker made an offhand remark about the area. She suggested that, because the event was being held on a council estate, candidates should be wary, even likening the place to a war zone. Instead of letting it pass, I challenged it, calmly but firmly.
The reaction in the room was immediate: people actually paused, and listened, and to my great surprise, reconsidered their assumptions. In that moment, I realised something important about myself. I could use my voice to make people think, to disrupt bias, and to shift a conversation. It was the first time I truly understood the power of words. Not just to express who I am but hopefully begin to influence how others see the world.
Harriet Laws has lost almost everything, but the quiet kindness of neighbours helps her begin again. A poor choice in marriage and long‑kept secrets rise to the surface. As she confronts what she once ran from, Harriet discovers the strength to rebuild a future on her own terms.
A favourite line from Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox: Your childhood will shape your life, it is the path you choose that will shape your future.
Fun fact
I originally wrote the story as a way to explore how ordinary people carry extraordinary strength. The shoebox itself was inspired by a real keepsake box. It maybe small, and unremarkable, but it holds memories far bigger than its size.
What was the most difficult thing about writing in conjunction with the other authors.
I have tried working with other authors on two occasions. While I am excited by the prospect I found I wasn’t a match. I look forward to finding someone – one day.
What was the best thing about writing in conjunction with other authors
I love sharing and listening to viewpoints – the creative writing groups do exactly that. It helps me develop and hone my skills and in return I offer my thoughts.
Link: Mybook.to/twentyone
www.instagram.com/lynngriffinauthoruk
Author Alicia Dean 