Ernest de l'Autin

It has taken 23 years from the time he began writing what would become his first novel to the time it would be published, but for Ernest de l'Autin of Nederland it has been described by him as quite a journey.

De l'Autin, the author of the novel "Reach to the Wounded Healer" said writing has become something he cherishes.

"Since I began writing I don't feel I am complete unless I am writing something," he said.

He said his first novel was inspired somewhat by his childhood.

"Everyone has had something hurtful happen to them in life and I was no different," he said.

"I wanted to tell a story about healing. My healing," he said.

De l'Autin was born and reared in Thibodaux. La. He attended Nicholls State University where he earned his bachelor's of science degree in chemistry as a magna cum laude and Hall of Fame graduate.

He went on to earn his master's degree plus 60 from the University of Southern Mississippi in polymer science. While he was there, he was named as on of four Gulf Oil Research Fellows nationally.

Later he did post graduate studies in biochemistry at The Tulane University of Louisiana.

But his love for writing was inspired partially by Betty Elfert, an English professor at Nicholls State whom de l'Autin said had a major impact on him.

He began writing a novel titled "The Quest," a self-help book for college students.

Between the period of his childhood to college, de l'Autin dealt with several tragedies.

"I lost my father to Leukemia when I was 11 years old. I lost a childhood friend during a hurricane. I've also lost other friends to accidents and suicide," he said.

"Writing this novel was a way to find out whether these things were targeted at me or they were just part of life."

De l'Autin said it led him on an incredible real life spiritual journey.

Not happy with the book when he completed it, de l'Autin never published "The Quest" instead yearning to write like the Brazilian author Paulo Coehlo.

"I read his book "The Alchemist" and when I finished it the only regret I had was that it had ended," he said.

"I though it was great and I thought 'I want to write like this.'"

This led to "Reach to the Wounded Healer" which de l'Autin said was rewritten 11 times after sitting down with editors and getting a strong education in the world of publishing.

The novel is about a troubled young man, Paul de la Moret, who is striving to over come a childhood trauma and lead a normal life inspite of disjointed visions, which include a lady and disturbing premonitions about friends and family.

De l'Autin said this book is part of a trilogy with the second book having just been published. In all he is currently working on 31 titled works.

He has recently traveled to Hollywood where he has been working to turn the novel into a movie.

"We are discussing this with various representatives from the Hollywood community," he said.

De l'Autin said the reviews on his first novel have been great and has done a number of book signings.

His most recent took place Sunday at the Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library in Nederland where he was greeted by about 25 residents who came to hear his lecture and purchase his book. The Friends of the Nederland Library sponsored the book signing.

Toby Ash, FNL president, she was impressed with the cover of the novel, designed by de l'Autin, and pointed out that it depicted different scene from the book.

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and we at the Friends of the Nederland Library were excited about sponsoring one of his book signings," she said.

De l'Autin originally moved to Nederland with his family in 1990 and with the exception of one period where they moved away for a short period of time, has lived here.

Although some of his jobs have required him to work in such places as New York and Minnesota, de l'Autin said he has commuted for 12 years in order for his family to stay in Mid County.

"Even though I'm originally from Louisiana, I have always wanted to live in Texas," he said.

"This is home and we have no plans to leave."