Laura began writing poetry in childhood, and in youth two of her poems were published in children’s collections in Northern California. In recent years, her poetry has been shown with her fine art in exhibits and has been published online and in Teton Spirit magazine in her previous home, Jackson Hole. In 2020, internationally renowned interior designer and author Agnes Bourne selected one of Garrard’s poems to include in her book, Moments, published by Commonplace Books. She holds a master’s degree in communications with a journalism focus from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. For over 10 years, she worked as an independent proofreader for Rutledge Hill Press and Thomas Nelson Publishing. She also has worked as a publishing copyeditor, graphic designer, print production manager, and yoga instructor. Most recently she closed her 15-year-old private practice providing Reiki, manual lymph drainage, CranioSacral Therapy, and therapeutic massage. She still provides remote energy healing sessions and practices yoga in her lakeside home in Olympic National Park.