The Work I Am Not at Liberty to Quit
In which Laura bares her soul and reveals how incredibly hard it is to be a writer and how many times she’s almost quit.
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The New Abnormal
In my WRITING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC class last week, I talked about this weird in-between period we’re in–getting vaccinated (or not), hoping for herd immunity, but being told it probably won’t happen, watching infections rates soar around the world and variants grow as the vaccinated begin to venture out into our own communities more. I
My First Self-Published Flop
In which Laura describes in vivid detail a spectacular failure in her writing career.
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A Peek Behind the Curtains as a Memoir Goes to Press
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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The Courage to Heal
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
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Who Are These People?
“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
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What Do We All Have in Common Right Now?
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/
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Facing Sickness, Uncertainty, and Loss
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
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Summer Musings Lead to Change
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,
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If You Enjoyed My Travel Blog . . .
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,
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Last Breakfast in Indonesia
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
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Dancing at the Sultan’s Palace
Male dancers, Sultan’s Palace Musicians at the Sultan’s Palace. Dancers at the Sultan’s palace.
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Sexism, Java Style
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
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Morning Market
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
Rice Cakes Never Tasted Like This
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
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