Writing Prompts - Laura Davis

What the Nose Knows

June 19, 2018 By Laura Davis 10 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

"Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines, hidden under the weedy mass of many years and experiences. Hit a tripwire of smell, and memories explode all at once." --Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses

Tell me about a smell that reminds you of your mother (if you didn’t have a mother, choose another significant childhood figure).

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His Shoes

June 12, 2018 By Laura Davis 24 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

"You never truly know someone until you've walked a mile in his shoes." --source unknown

Tell me everything you can about your father's shoes.

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Mapping My Life

June 5, 2018 By Laura Davis 16 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

"Life goes along without a map and there is no way to turn back." --Isabel Allende, The Sum of Our Days

If you can only see the trajectory of your life looking back, look back now and describe to me the roadmap of your life.

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The Truth of My Life

May 29, 2018 By Laura Davis 23 Comments · · · · · · Read & Respond

“What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open.” –Muriel Rukeyser

Tell me the truth about your life—right now, today, this moment.

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I send out inspiring quotes and provocative writing prompts via email Tuesday. You can collect them for their own use—or you can post your writing online and enter into dialogue and conversation with a very supportive group of writers who have made this part of their weekly writing practice.

I invite you to become part of my brilliant, supportive, intimate, honest, inspiring free online community.

I hope to see you up on the Roadmap soon!

First time visitor? Click here to learn about our community.

"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'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

"Because Laura has inspired me to follow my voice, I am finally on track and moving ahead with great clarity."

--Cooper Gallegos

"My writer's block has disappeared."

--Laurie Simpkinson
"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

“Laura is a seasoned retreat leader who puts great thought and care into preparing a lovely retreat. She creates an experience of exploration, delving deep, sharing and play.”

--Jill Bernard, Sacramento, California
"Laura is clear that she cannot help us feel better or solve someone else's problems. I like that honesty. But she delivers on what she does have to offer. She sets a wonderful example. She exudes the faith, hope and deep wisdom that come from her own experience and the sharing of other people's stories. To me it seems like she has graduated from the world of 'surviving' and is teaching us what she has learned about real-world living and thriving.

--Kerry Messer, Oakland, California
"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

"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
"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
"It has been over a week since I have returned from your retreat, and I am still turning over memories in my mind, savoring them as I would a delectable meal. The safety, sorority, serenity, growth…..and oh yes, the writing!! Everything served as nourishment for both body and spirit. I have never experienced anything like it. I cannot thank you enough for the profound experience that I just underwent under your gentle and wise ministration. I have begun a transformative journey on so many levels, and will be forever grateful for your help in setting me on this path."

--Emily Bitton, West Orange, New Jersey

“My life just changed—again.”

--Debby Bates, writing a memoir
"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
"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

"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!
"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’s constant encouragement and inspiration has pushed me to pursue my real dream of making a career of writing."

--Larae Ross
"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

"This is my third retreat with Laura. They get better and deeper and more adventurous each time, as I return to experience writing in another beautiful place with inspired people that become friends. Each return, I come not knowing what will happen, grateful that I did, and leave transformed.”

--Marie Hanson, Reno, Nevada
"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

“Just when I thought I couldn't write anymore, I did. I wrote and wrote and wrote again—more than I imagined possible—truly transforming my view of myself. Thank you!”

--Laura Grace Brown, Peru, Vermont
"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

"Laura is a gifted writing teacher. Working with her has 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
"Laura Davis is a phenomenal teacher, mentor and coach. She is smart, insightful and really knows how to listen. She knows when to encourage, when to step out of the way, and when to push. Because Laura has faced her demons, she is not afraid of life's deepest challenges. Her clarity and insight helped me find the courage to bring all of who I am into my writing and into my life. The openness and warmth of Laura's heart is matched by the wealth of experience she brings as a successful author. For an aspiring writer, that's an unbeatable combination."

Jacalyn Buettner DC, first-time author, currently finishing Head, Heart, Hands, a book on women in chiropractic
"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

“Working with Laura Davis, I found the perfect combination of direction, inspiration, permission, and community. With Laura’s guidance, I was 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 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 a remarkable woman. She brings so much to her teaching sessions, all of which are individual and carefully planned to draw out the best writing from her students. She is very caring, attentive, and approachable. Her teaching style is one of gentle encouragement without judgment. New writers feel welcomed and seasoned writers enjoy the ease of writing in a warm, familiar setting."

--Nancy Hofmann
“The change evoked by my experience with Laura did not reveal itself fully until long after the retreat ended—and the changes showed up in my ordinary life. I was inspired to write, join a writer’s group, and write some more. The transformation was evident, too, in how limber and clear my professional writing became. I began writing with an ease and speed that was totally unexpected. And these changes have stayed with me.”

--Karla Fischer, Champaign, Illinois

"Laura brings a sense of ritual to the habits of daily writing which makes something magical of the routine."

--Sherri Paris
As a veteran journalist, I delved into Laura's retreat with both confidence and trepidation: confidence in my competence as a writer; trepidation about stepping out of my comfort zone to write in a completely different way. Laura's writing circle was instructive and provocative, serene and playful. She has a unique ability to inspire novices, published authors and everyone in between. I arrived knowing no one and said goodbye to newfound friends. A memorable and life-changing experience.

--Talin Vartanian, Toronto, Canada, CBC Radio producer and broadcaster

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your work is essential and full of love.”

--workshop participant
"When I began working with Laura Davis, I'd carried hundreds of stories around in my head for five and a half decades. Laura helped me breathe life into the words that had waited so long to hear their voices spoken aloud. Her steady guidance and open-hearted engagement with the writer in me was the form of nourishment I needed to begin my long journey as a writer. I am so grateful to Laura for the gift she is."

--Paula Mahoney

"As I develop my authentic voice, Laura has helped me develop techniques, confidence and a discernment that quells my overzealous inner critic."

--Emily Bording
“Thank you, Laura, for a powerful retreat. You are an extraordinary teacher—your warmth, your humor, your wisdom and your insight provide a safe haven for all of us on the Writer’s Journey. The pacing of the writing experience was remarkable. I loved being able to relax into the experience, knowing it was safe to go deeper and deeper.”

--Belinda Carter, Sacramento, CA

“My book now feels more real. I believe it’s actually possible to complete it and be proud of it.”

--Mel Dion, writing a novel

“Your presence is strong, compassionate, reassuring. I received hope and strength—a vision for myself.”

--workshop participant
“I've watched Laura reach many different writers at their levels—offering just the right comment to help each writer discover something deeper about his or her process. Laura also offers so much of herself to her students—her life experiences, humor, writing practice, and expertise in the world of publishing. Having access to such a professional mentor is not an opportunity to be missed!”

--Laurie Simpkinson
"I love working with Laura. I use her prompts to write memoir material that is healing and liberating. If I choose to read, I am witnessed and held by the group in my authenticity. There is no feedback, judgment, or opinion. I find the opportunity to reveal my personal history in this way rare, powerful, and of great psychological and emotional benefit. Laura participates fully and I find her a profound role model."

--Cliff Haggerty

“Heartfelt gratitude to you for offering a place where I could be BRAVE and INVINCIBLE!”

--Alexandra Morgan, Orinda, CA
“Your open, warm heart made trusting you easy. Writing a first book, especially given my painful academic experiences, was not only mentally challenging, but forced me to confront many personal myths. Your support, genuine empathy and non-judgmental attitude got me over some very old, tall hurdles. You also took me seriously and held me to the task of being a writer and that made me a writer.”

Sydney Sauber

“Laura Davis is a highly successful, published author who also knows how to create and hold a space for you to grow into the writer you want to become. She’s a warm, open person and an encouraging yet honest teacher.”

--Gayle Yamauchi-Gleason, Santa Cruz, CA
“Writing to Laura’s prompts and then sharing what we wrote was an amazing, powerful deeply transformative experience. I feel like seeds have been planted for me to begin to really develop as a writer.”

--Alissa Ferranto, San Rafael, CA

“For years I’ve wanted to write to experience my own voice and deepen the listening I might have with the Truth of my life. One of the obstacles to my engaging with writing has been feeling isolated. In Laura’s workshops, I feel connected and privileged as a writer in community. Being in her workshop has been a gift to dissolve the other obstacles—that of feeling exposed.”

--Emmah Smyth, Santa Clara
“Laura Davis’ writing workshop will draw ideas and stories from you that you didn’t even know were there. The workshop’s well thought-out method encourages making connections and putting new order into familiar experiences.”

--Marianne Huber, Dixon, Illinois

“Laura Davis has revolutionized my relationship to writing. She has shown me that writing can be free and fun. I do not have to face a blank page and wonder how to tell my story. Her prompts lead the way into my soul.”

--Shannon LaGrandier, Santa Cruz, CA
“Laura Davis provides an open, welcoming environment to explore your writing and your self. The class is both beautifully curated and is supportive of both creativity and personal journey. Laura’s workshop created a framework in which I could connect to vivid memories and build my practice of writing.”

--Sarah Van Aven, Philadelphia

“I’ve always thought I’d like to write to get my ideas and visions across—to convey my dreams to people and to help them with their own dreams. I feel now, after this workshop, that this may be possible.”

--Fawaz Mourad, Lebanon

Wynne Thank you Anita. Completely ignoring a problem is just as unhealthy as co-dependently trying to fix everything. I realize my mother will very likely die... – Jun 22, 6:54 PM
Anita Wynne, my heart goes out to you! I can hear the sadness and frustration at the disease. Alcohol is ravenous and destroys more families than... – Jun 22, 1:33 PM
Wynne We have all sorts of beautiful empty, glass bottles of my mother's perfume. I love the shade of blue and distinctly remember the smell. She... – Jun 21, 10:41 PM
Anita My mother was a beautiful woman. I remember watching her always when she was in the bathroom applying her makeup. I was enthralled and totally... – Jun 20, 7:47 PM
Tina Bruce The memories that come to my mind when I think of my mother and how she smelled are jumbled up in my thinking. I think... – Jun 20, 4:42 AM
Dawn My mom was also a smoker, but quit in her late 50's. Seeing her smoke as a child, I couldn't understand the obsession because to... – Jun 19, 10:58 AM

What the Nose Knows

Tell me about a smell that reminds you of your mother (if you didn’t have a mother, choose another significant childhood figure).

His Shoes

Tell me everything you can about your father's shoes.

Mapping My Life

If you can only see the trajectory of your life looking back, look back now and describe to me the roadmap of your life.

The Truth of My Life

Tell me the truth about your life—right now, today, this moment.

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What the Nose Knows

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