“Most of us have ongoing obsessions, sometimes as a result of difficult, tragic, magical, or unexpected events or circumstances in our lives. Sometimes these are the things we studiously avoid in writing about, but sooner or later we come to realize they are our bedrock material. The fact is that writing, like any creative undertaking, carries with it both pain and great joy. The pain is often inherent in the most fertile subject matter; the joy lies in transforming that subject matter and thus moving through it in a way that helps us grow while we create something of value to others.”
–Judith Barrington, Writing the Memoir
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"Laura's writing prompts are juicy and creative and through them, I am remembering my own life story."
--Bryana Garcia -
"Laura has helped me breathe life into words that had waited so long to hear their voices spoken aloud. Her prompts were the nourishment I needed to begin my long journey as a writer. I am so grateful to Laura for the gift she is."
--Paula Mahoney -
"Writing with Laura is a dream come true...she's funny, smart, insightful, and willing to risk putting her own life experience down on the page. Writing practice has proven to be a form of meditation in action for me: it has revealed dark corners of my mind that were begging for illumination, and healed broken pieces of my heart. I have cried, laughed, marveled at the insights a simple thing like writing practice has given me. I have used it in the groups I run with first-time older mothers, and even the women who say they have no skill writing are led into deep and wonderful places inside themselves. This is an experience not to be missed."
--Nancy London MSW, author, "Hot Flashes, Warm Bottles: First-Time Mothers Over Forty" -
"Laura Davis's Writer's Journey is about possibilities. Not about being published or receiving accolades, but the possibility of discovery: discovery of my creativity, my joys and sorrows, the discovery of me. Laura supports that journey through a wide range of prompts that are ever changing, always interesting, and many times seems tailored to my personal experience. With each of her prompts, I frequently find myself saying, "How did she know?"
--Alison Liszewski -
"With Laura's guidance, I have been able to discover and develop the writer inside of me who had been waiting in darkness my whole life for the support and safety to emerge."
---Terresa Lauer -
"Laura's writing retreat was a rare and beautiful gift. It was a real treat to be with an eclectic, quiet, exuberant, creative group of people gathered to write our hearts out. Laura created a safe, accepting space for us to let go and pour ourselves onto the page. There were no red letter Fs for us-just lots of great food, a beautiful setting and a wealth of wild writing."
--Jamie Willamon, stay-at-home mom and retreat participant -
"My writer's block has disappeared."
--Laurie Simpkinson -
"Laura is a gifted writing teacher. Her prompts have changed my relationship to writing, making my words more natural and spontaneous. I have begun to remember events from my past more completely and vividly than before. That has been a great gift for me."
--Linda Wright -
"I signed up for the retreat, unsure what to expect. I went with trepidation: 'Would I be good enough?' 'Would it get too personal?' 'Was it worth the money?' I came home extremely glad I had gone. It wasn't about being good enough; it was about being encouraged to find my voice. I rediscovered how much I love to write and was relieved to meet other people like me, who need to write as much as they need to breathe."
--Stephanie Huff, Director of Marketing for firstRain, a software company -
"Because Laura has inspired me to follow my voice, I am finally on track and moving ahead with great clarity."
--Cooper Gallegos -
"Laura encourages her writers to write about whatever they have passion for and to write from the heart."
--Marcia Heinegg, author of California to New Zealand THE LONG WAY -
"I signed up for the retreat, unsure what to expect. I went with trepidation: 'Would I be good enough?' 'Would it get too personal?' 'Was it worth the money?' I came home extremely glad I had gone. It wasn't about being good enough; it was about being encouraged to find my voice. I rediscovered how much I love to write and was relieved to meet other people like me, who need to write as much as they need to breathe."
--Stephanie Huff, Director of Marketing for firstRain, a software company -
"I would encourage anyone who has even a passing interest in developing themselves as a writer, or who feels "stuck" personally and is looking for some tools to push them to a new level to develop a writing practice using Laura’s prompts. I guarantee you will be changed by this experience!
--Nancy Cohen -
"Laura Davis writes with heart and soul and offers a path to self-love, compassion for others, community, and inner peace."
--Wendy Maltz, M.S.W., Author of The Sexual Healing Journey -
"Laura Davis is an exceptionally warm, motivating teacher. I never considered myself a writer until I took her workshop. Her caring attitude, personal concern for my well-being and progress, as well as her years of experience, inspired me to become a writer. I am writing almost every day now and will publish my first piece in October."
--Kathy Williams, singer and songwriter -
"Thank you for your words, your continuing courage, and for inspiring so many of us."
--Leslie Smith, Santa Cruz, California -
"I am so grateful to have you as my writing teacher. Without your keen instruction and astute instincts, writing would still be a vague yearning inside of me. Perhaps the most effective technique in your teaching bag of tricks is not a tool at all, but your steadfast willingness to fearlessly, beautifully put yourself on paper. The perfect original lesson of demonstration still tops them all."
--Nancy Miner -
"When I first met Laura Davis, I was still a fledgling writer. I knew how to tell a story, but I had a difficult time connecting with my work emotionally. After a week of writing practice with Laura and Natalie Goldberg, my work deepened far beyond anything I ever expected. Since that time, I've continued to work with Laura. Her teaching style is open and inspirational. She's been instrumental in helping me bring my characters to life. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their writing and deepen their emotional connection with their work."
--Larry Snow, currently completing a novel, A Nearling's Story -
"Laura brings a sense of ritual to the habits of daily writing which makes something magical of the routine."
--Sherri Paris -
"We all come to Laura because we want to write, or write more, or write better. Through writing practice, we do each of these things and slowly but surely, we evolve into writers. Laura has the insight, the patience, and the steadiness that guides even the most unsure among us out into the open and onto the page."
--Zoe Elizabeth -
"What is most compelling to me about Laura's work is the wonderful balance she conveys, both in person and in her writing, between being both a teacher and an ongoing, active learner. She is completely credible as she shares both her own and others' stories for the benefit of mutual learning. This is a relief from the more "expert" point of view, which has a way of making me feel small and disengaged."
--Kerry Messer, workshop participant, Oakland, California -
"Laura has a unique combination of skills: her own talents as a writer, her clarity and gentle guidance as a teacher, and her fierce commitment to supporting others in finding their own unique voice. Taken together, these are rare and precious gifts."
-- Terresa Lauer, grateful, blossoming WRITER! -
"Laura’s constant encouragement and inspiration has pushed me to pursue my real dream of making a career of writing."
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"As I develop my authentic voice, Laura has helped me develop techniques, confidence and a discernment that quells my overzealous inner critic."
--Emily Bording
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Recent Roadmap Posts
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- Tell Me the Story of Your Name
- Personal Ad
- Writing From the Vantage Point of Illness
- Someone Who Believed in Me
- Going Too Far
- To Speak or Not to Speak
- Word Nerds Unite: Words I Love
- Holding On
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I like to win. Winning to me is like breathing. If i’m not winning, i’m losing. And losing is bad! So you see, winning to me is key. I need to win to exist.
now I like to lose. Losing sucks! Losing makes you feel like a loos-er.
now i’m trying to incorporate the two: winning, losing, everything in between…
and that’s why i’m not exactly sure what to do with myself. . . You see, the point of this whole “game” is to expand myself. I came onto this planet not really knowing who I was. I used all of “my powers” to incorporate humanity into my soul. (I see that others around me–particularly in the Bay area–seem to be doing the same). We came to this earth to live (not to win). And somehow I think I’ve lost hold of that…
I actually feel pretty sad that I’ve spent pretty much my entire life trying to win, and oftentimes doing so–at least on the outside. Meanwhile on the inside I’ve been crying out in pain. Each extra diploma, trophy, and certificate did nothing except add additional layers which now need to be peeled away in order for me to get in touch with–well, me.
(I used to go up against the guys and smear them. I used to make people who I thought were “bad” feel 2 inches tall. I used to slaughter (and still do) anyone who tries to take advantage of the poor, the weak, the sick. I used to justify all of my actions by saying that I believe in my “causes” and am fighting for the “right” side.)
All the while perhaps the person I was fighting most was myself. Little ol’ 5 foot tall me. I think I’m really pissed at myself–and all the people around me. I think I’m crying out in pain in a way that even I can’t fully comprehend. I used to believe in things. Now I really don’t.. (now i’m a lost little puppy just looking for some food..)
wow, growth is hard(!)
but maybe if i’m lucky, just maybe, I’ll never have to “win” again.
Wow. That was courageous of you. I, personally, did not even have the strength to respond to this prompt. Thank you for the inspiration!
my obsessions
6 years old
my brother
my sister
my blanket
skipping
making sure I was o.k.
16 years old
school
dance class
friends
being pretty
being good at things
figuring out where I fit
26 years old
my partner
my dogs
our home
being independent
my kiddos at work
being effective
my past
making sure I am o.k.
my past is my puzzle…my obsession. all the pieces are blank so it makes you crazy if you try to figure out how they fit together. it makes you crazy if you just stand there staring at it. move one piece here….turn a piece upside down. maybe when you find two pieces that fit together some of the picture will start to make sense. first fit the pieces together, then see the picture. first remember the facts, then try to make sense of them. nothing fits together. these pieces are all wrong. the edges are jagged. irregular. you’ll have to cut some – or tear some – to make it fit. those round edges just won’t work here. it won’t fit. you don’t fit. try to make it work – try to change your shape – make yourself crazy. try to put it together by tearing yourself apart.
Jessica, what’s really interesting about this prompt is that if you do it in another five to ten years, your lists will keep changing.
My obsessions spending more money than there is at the end of each month.
Feeling my fist dog Roy lick my cheek
sliding down the coal shute after locking myself out of the house with a cold in
a blizzard on 96 Colby Street, Rochester N.Y.
Getting caught smoking Daddy’s peddlers pipe and saying the dog did it.
Daddy announcing Frances Ann just got her first bra-hiding behind the couch.
I’m obsessed with my Grandson playing on the Offensive Line for the Buffalo Bills.
Lox, Bagels and Cream Cheese- Cheese Cake-Weight Watchers- eating
more than exercising.
Antiques Roadshow-Ancestry.com- e-mails-blogs-The Delf-Wisdom Bumps
Sea Harvest Restaurant-Elkhorn Slough Safari- My 10 grand children-
living every day as if it’s my last.
trying to lose weight but not tracking my points
My two dogs and cats
Feeding the goldfinches
Losing my husband too soon
Hawaii
Writing a winning story to share with the world
helping everyone in every way to make sure they have a better day
baking and cooking and giving it all away