In which Laura introduces her new blog series and her new book for a sneak peek at what it really takes to write, publish and promote a memoir.
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A Peek Behind the Curtains as a Memoir Goes to Press Read More »
Written Sunday morning, the day after: We won. My side won. I don’t think it would be hyperbole to say democracy won. Decency won. I was out on my daily walk behind Simpkin’s Swim Center when I heard the news, drinking in the chlorophyll of all those trees, my eyes sweeping over Schwan Lake and
The Courage to Heal Read More »
“We must criticize without wounding and debate without dehumanizing our opponents. Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” –Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Written Friday afternoon, the day before Biden’s victory was announced: Sometime during my slog through this endless election night, after
Who Are These People? Read More »
What do we all have in common right now? Every single one of us? I explore that question in this piece of writing. Watch and listen to the video below. Feel free to share! https://www.facebook.com/thewritersjourney/videos/692683488214358/
What Do We All Have in Common Right Now? Read More »
I’m just climbing out of a two-plus-week bout with the flu. I don’t remember ever being so sick, not since I had cancer 12 years ago. I’m am still regaining my strength but was finally back in the swimming pool this morning at 6:00 AM, doing laps, a sure sign that the flu will soon
Facing Sickness, Uncertainty, and Loss Read More »
It’s the end of August and I’m already gearing up for the start of my fall classes (how did that happen?). How can it be that summer’s almost over? Let’s see, what did I do on my summer “vacation?” I spent almost five weeks in Indonesia—scuba diving, on my own private writing retreat in Bali,
Summer Musings Lead to Change Read More »
I’d like to invite you to my next Write, Travel, Transform trip, my one and only international offering in 2019–to one of my very favorite places in the world: the Sacred Valley of Peru. If you’ve enjoyed my Virtual Vacation to Bali and Java, I’d love for you to join me for a creative, mystical,
If You Enjoyed My Travel Blog . . . Read More »
Chocolate dim sum. Just had to try it. No, I think not. Delicious muesli cookies. Crumbly and not too sweet. Orange juice, mango juice, kiwi juice, guava juice, coconut water, milk and infused water. This woman offers special herbal health potions, made from ginger, aromatic ginger, palm sugar, tamarind, rice, and brotowali (couldn’t get the
Last Breakfast in Indonesia Read More »
Male dancers, Sultan’s Palace Musicians at the Sultan’s Palace. Dancers at the Sultan’s palace.
Dancing at the Sultan’s Palace Read More »
At the Sultan’s Palace today, Roy told us the Javanese philosophy of proper gender behavior. To be a perfect man, you need five things: Garwa: a wife Gria: a house Turangga: a horse Curiga: a dagger (symbolizes security in money, a job, in everything) Kikilo: a bird Roy said, “A man without a bird is
Sexism, Java Style Read More »
Yogykarta, Java Walk with me on my early morning stroll, just two blocks from our hotel. Coming to the market. 6:45 AM Parking lot. Carving jackfruit. Jackfruit remains. Fish seller. She had a beautiful smile and was very friendly. Chicken seller. Time out. Speckled eggs. Blue eggs. Cooked? Banana fruit. These are eaten, too. We
After our return to our hotel from Borobodor and a sumptuous breakfast buffet, we put all our things on the bus and drove a short distance to a small village where we climbed into open-air horse carts, two passengers per cart, and rode on small paved lanes through the village of Wanurejo, observing daily village
Rice Cakes Never Tasted Like This Read More »
After wandering down through all nine levels of Borobodur, Roy said we could either stick with him or go off on our own, meeting back at our bus in an hour. I immediately opted for my own freedom of movement. I love groups, but there are times I just want to move on impulse inside
Sunrise at Borobodur, Part 2 Read More »
I set three alarms this morning, one for 4:00, one for 4:05 and one for 4:10. We were meeting in the lobby at 4:30 to see the sunrise at Borobodur. I wanted to be sure I woke up. My clothes were all laid out (cover your knees and your shoulders), my camelback was filled with
Sunrise at Borobodur, Part 1 Read More »
When we arrived at the airport, several of us needed to use the facilities. When I went to the bathroom, it was empty. There was no toilet paper left in my stall (though there was a toilet paper dispenser), so I used the handy-dandy water sprayer next to the toilet that is found in every
Arrival in Yogykarta Read More »
