In Laura’s Words
I write to shine a light on a dim or otherwise pitch black corner…to provide relief for myself and others. It’s the light that I am looking for. And the wonder it illuminates.
May my words land in your heart.
yours, Laura
A Book’s Life
This is a writer's dream-- to witness one of his or her books being or having been devoured. Dog-eared. Bloated from a bath-tub session. Coffee stains. Red wine stains. Tear stains. Today I received this gift in the mail. It's a photo of my book, loved and worn by a faithful reader. I really do believe that the book takes on a life of its own. I...
Signs, Designs, Italy
(for Melinda) People say that there are no coincidences. I profoundly and purely believe that sometimes. Other times, I think it’s an overly-convenient way of thinking. And sometimes I want to believe it more than others. Sometimes we are looking for signs. I spent most of August in Italy. I went this time not needing to prove myself in museum...
Summer Vacation
I'm hanging up a Gone Fishin' sign for August to enjoy summer with my family and do some good old fashioned novel-writing. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll see you in September! Here are a few highlights of the last few weeks of Montana-ness. yrs. Laura
Mommy’s Got Talent
As seen on the Huffington Post For 13 years I had one consistent role and I performed it well. It's been my primary area of expertise and with it I have molded social groups and inspired movers, shakers, and decision makers. I've given sustenance to the thirsty, hungry, sick, needy and taught the illiterate to read and write. I've served as...
Perspective: Pass The Salt
As seen on Sarah Brokaw's blog. If you haven't read her book Fortytude go get it! In the face of adversity, people throw this phrase around: That which does not kill you makes you stronger. It’s supposed to be one of empowerment. But to me, it’s not empowering at all. It’s a hopeless helpless statement, as if we have to go to the edge in...
Montana Mudpies
When my children were very young, I often read them a wonderful book I love called Mudpies and Other Recipes by Marjorie Winslow, who is a shirt-tail relative of mine. We had many mudpie parties where the kids made up a menu and served their creations to their dolls and stuffed animals. I love that at fifteen and eleven, my children are still...
Montana Summer Moments
No Guts No Glory (or: write the letter you’re scared to write)
As usual, I have a tall stack of books on my bedside table. And as usual, I daily attempt a few paragraphs in pursuit of discovering a new favorite writer or subject, or a character of some astonishment, or a fresh angle into the human heart…and yet, all-too-often, I find myself sneaking to the top left shelf of my book case where the Jim...
Glee: (Where were you all my life?)
Every so often, in the course of my life, someone has looked at me sideways and said these helpful words: “What is WRONG with you?” Ever been asked that question? There really isn’t an answer to it because it’s not a question. It’s a judgment, an insult, an attack. But the other night, I was lying in bed late night watching TV and came...
Bullies Posing as Adults (coming to a neighborhood near you…)
as seen in the Huffington Post If you ask a kid these days what’s the number one issue they hear about in school, they’ll usually say, “bullying.” Then they might follow it with the school acronym. Around here it’s: P.R.I.D.E. (personal responsibility is a daily expectation.) It’s spoken over the PA by the principal, the whole school shaking with...
Tina Fey: A Prayer for her Daughter
This bit of writing brilliance by Tina Fey had me laughing and crying at the same time. I think that's the definition, in fact, of what writers want to achieve on the page. May you, then, laugh cry. At the end of this prayer, I have added my own: First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU...
On The Road: (or Where am I?)
You may think the road is glamorous...but think again. There are lessons in limos that you might not expect... Origninally published in Author Magazine I’m home now after two months on the road promoting my book, and every morning, I wake up with a start: Where am I? I could be anywhere. I could be in a Hampton Inn in Dayton, Ohio. I could be in...
More Magazine’s FANTASTIC Reinvention Convention
I'm going to be using adjectives that I try not to over use: Fantastic, amazing, spectacular, inspiring, fabulous. I try to save them for when it really counts. This is one of those times. Simply put, MORE MAGAZINE'S REINVENTION CONVENTION was one of the most fantastic, amazing, spectacular, inspiring, fabulous events I've experienced. DON'T...
Quiet
In the video I posted over the weekend, David Foster Wallace talks about how our society doesn’t value the art of being quiet. He says we don’t take an hour to look at a painting; we don’t sit all day with a book. We are uncomfortable with mind challenges in complex music and writing. I agree with him. For some reason, long ago, I smelled this...
Summer Reading List
Recently, I asked my Facebook friends to share their favorite all time book. Here are those unedited results, in the order in which they arrived. Not sure if any of these is what you might call "beach reading," but it's one helluva list. Reads like a poem. Enjoy! And let me know what you think. I'm starting with "Infinite Jest." yrs. Laura (p.s....
