BIO

“I’m so glad you are here. Thank you. You are a very large part of why I write —why I sit at the intersection of heart and mind and craft that is the writing life.

– Laura

ABOUT ME

You complete the trajectory that begins at my writing desk and longs to land in your hands as you spend an hour in bed reading in the wee hours, or on your commute, or in a quiet corner on a Sunday afternoon. It’s you who I want to reach, and it’s you who makes my work whole. Writing is a solitary act, and I believe that we write first to bridge to ourselves SO THAT we can bridge to our collective human community. I deeply love that something I write in a small room in Montana can cross oceans, mountains, transcend social groups, age, religion, difference. Heart language is heart language. And I have learned in my thirty years of living the contemplative life that writing is one thing if it is anything: truth. We writers disrupt. We question. We examine. We wonder. And most of all, we hold up the mirror to truth.

UNSHAKABLE INTENTION

Years ago when I announced that the precarious and often non-lucrative field of writing was my true passion, a friend asked me: “If you could look into your future and see that you’ll never be published, would you still write?” Without batting an eyelash, I said, “Yes.” That’s how I knew I was hooked. I’ve written for myself. I’ve written for literary journals you’ve likely never heard of. I’ve written for newspapers and magazines that you know well.

GIVING MYSELF PERMISSION

All along the way, I’ve made this pact to myself: I give myself permission to be exactly who I am in life…and on the page. I promise to know the woman that I am. And I promise to know the message that runs through everything I write. And with this unshakeable intention, I’ve found the industry people, mentors, and readers who are a match for my work. That’s what writers are looking for: their match. Their emotional, intellectual, and, where applicable, spiritual match.

MODERN LOVE

I have to believe that this pure intention is why I’ve had the chance to work with some of the best editors out there, especially Daniel Jones of the iconic “Modern Love” column in The New York Times. (Podcast and Amazon Prime hit show too!) My “Modern Love” essay, Those Aren’t Fighting Words, Dear, is #2 in the history of the column…which led to a book deal with the great and almighty Amy Einhorn (“The Help,” “Big Little Lies”), and launched my career as a New York Times and international best-selling author.

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

I’ve toured all across this country, and internationally, promoting my work. And now I’m going to do it all over again with my novel, “Willa’s Grove” coming to you March. It’s been quite a ride. And I’m here to tell you: If it can happen to me, it can happen to you, whatever it is that you dream with all your heart.

DO THE WORK

But in all of it…from the trenches of “failure” to the altitude of “success,” I have learned one powerful lesson: it’s all about doing the work. I love this work. And I love sharing the messages the writing life has taught me: Rejection doesn’t need to be taken personally. No one can define our emotional state. Our emotions are our choice.

PERSEVERANCE AND PRACTICE

Perseverance and practice are the two things we can control in making our dreams come true. No one will take the stand for your hard work unless you first take that stand. But I didn’t learn these lessons from success. I learned these lessons from a place of surrender. And so it is with surrender that I live my life. Controlling what I can control, and letting go of the rest. Sometimes I’m actually good at it. Sometimes. All of this is what drives my work as a retreat leader, teacher, and editor too. It is time to give ourselves permission to express ourselves in the way that only we can. To find our voice in the field of our passions. And to set it free.

TAKING A STAND

So, after years of hammering away at my craft…I now sit here with a bio to write, on a web page to share, in hopes of inspiring you to take a stand for what you believe in. I speak about it at events across the country. I teach it at my Haven Writing Retreats and Programs in Montana, and I live it every day when I face the blank page. I’ve said many times: writing is my practice, my prayer, my way of life. And sometimes it’s my way to life.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Whatever it is that you love dearly, I want you to believe in yourself and in the arc of whatever truth begins in you and goes out to the world. Even when things seem bleak…we can breathe alive our greatest dreams. Especially when we are honest. Surrendered to the outcome. And being our most raw and real selves.

BE VULNERABLE

Vulnerability is vital to our human experience. And it’s scary. Know this: You are not alone. That is the number one line I hear from my readers: “Thank you for helping me know I’m not alone. I feel like I’m in your kitchen with you, sipping tea like old friends.” It’s such a high compliment and it’s why the book art form will never die. And why community is more important than ever.