The Shopping Sherpa
In which Laura recalls the trauma of shopping for her last book tour.
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When It Was Too Late
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.” –Colette, French novelist and memoirist What did you realize about your life only when it was too late?
Growing Empathy by Writing in The Voice of Your Antagonist
In which Laura steps out of the way and gives her mother a voice.
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The Gifts I Have to Offer
“Every single day, I get emails from aspiring writers asking my advice about how to become a writer, and here is the only advice I can give: Don’t make stuff because you want to make money — it will never make you enough money. And don’t make stuff because you want to get famous — …
What You Love About the Person You Hate
In which Laura learns how to make her antagonist a three-dimensional character.
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Why I’m Here
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” — Mark Twain Describe for me a moment when you realized something about the deeper purpose of your life.
What? No! You’ve Got to Be Kidding!
In which Laura has to recover from an unexpected blow.
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The Conversation I’m Avoiding
“The courageous conversation is the one you don’t want to have.” –David Whyte Tell me about a conversation you don’t want to have. What is it you need to say but are afraid to say? Then tell me whether or not you think you’ll ever have this conversation and why.
Look Mom, I Got Published in The New York Times!
In which Laura gets a byline in her mother’s favorite newspaper.
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Death on My Shoulder
“Living a self-conscious life, under the pressure of time, I work with the consciousness of death at my shoulder, not constantly, but often enough to leave a mark upon all of my life’s decisions and actions. And it does not matter whether this death comes next week or thirty years from now; this consciousness gives …