Welcome!
For me, the Writer’s Journey is:
a journey deep into self: writing as a pathway for understanding our lives, healing, and transformation
a journey deep into creative mastery: learning the craft that makes our words potent, effective, unforgettable, and compelling
a journey that connects us to others: harnessing the power of storytelling and deep listening to build compassionate, supportive communities
Let me take a moment to introduce myself.
I'm Laura Davis. I write books that change people’s lives and help people tell stories that matter.
Since I published my first book, The Courage to Heal, 37 years ago, I've helped people find their voices, tell their stories, and hone their craft. I love creating intimate writing communities online, in person, and internationally.
I am a midwife of stories and right now, in this time of deep uncertainty, our stories matter more than ever.
I’m here to help you share yours. Become part of our vibrant creative community.
Free subscribers have access to:
Posts that include a personal essay, a writing/conversation/introspection prompt designed to build resilience and courage, help you make new creative discoveries, and reinforce joy.
A “Midweek Pause for Peace” that includes an inspiring poem I’ve curated accompanied by a striking nature photo.
Audio versions of posts—I’ll guide you into each week’s post with the intimacy of my voice.
Paid subscribers receive all free content plus:
The ability to comment and become a vital part of our online community.
Subscriber-only posts focusing on craft, memoir writing, and other aspects of the writing life.
Analysis of writing from my students with my analysis of what made each piece work.
Access to writing challenges and other special events.
My deep gratitude because being a paid subscriber means you’re directly supporting me and my work.
I’m glad you’re here, that we’ll get to lift up our voices, tell the truth, and build sacred, supportive community together.
About me:
I am the author of seven nonfiction books, which have sold 2 million copies and been translated into 11 languages.
My first book, The Courage to Heal, a breakaway bestseller in 1988, paved the way for hundreds of thousands to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.
Becoming the Parent You Want to Be helps the parents of young children develop a vision for the families they want to create.
I Thought We'd Never Speak Again: The Road from Estrangement to Reconciliation teaches the skills of reconciliation and peace building, one relationship at a time.
The Burning Light of Two Stars, my award-winning 2021 memoir, tells the story of my loving, tumultuous relationship with my mother, and how I took care of her at the end of her life, despite the fact that she had betrayed me in the past.
In addition to writing books that inspire, the work of my heart is to teach.
For more than twenty-five years, I’ve helped people find their voices, tell their stories, and hone their craft.
I love building and facilitating writing communities online in weekly classes and in person at writing retreats in beautiful locations in the US and around the world.
I love the discoveries that happen once a safe container has been established, the life-changing and life-affirming writing that pours out on the page, and the lasting bonds that occur with this kind of deep, intimate, creative sharing.
“You are one of the few writing teachers who makes writers feel trusting and safe enough to explore their deepest emotions, most traumatic histories, and greatest dreams on the page. With your welcoming, intelligent, sensitive nature, you have the unique ability to create a safe, nurturing environment in which everyone feels free to open their hearts. You are one-of-a-kind. I've watched you work. No one does this like you.”
--Susan Brown PhD, book doctor and creative writing professor
I’m also a fanatic for travel.
So, a couple of times a year, I take writers on amazing travel adventures. In the past 12 years, I’ve taken groups to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Bali, Scotland, Greece, Peru, Tuscany and hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
I have been published in:
Publisher's Weekly, Writer's Digest, CrimeReads, Brevity, and The New York Times, featured in the Los Angeles Review of Books, and have been an engaging guest on QWERTY, Write-Minded, Magnificent Midlife, Therapy Chat, and dozens of other podcasts. I’ve been a featured speaker for The National Association of Memoir Writers and a popular craft teacher at The San Miguel Writer's Conference.
The rest of my life:
When I’m not writing, teaching or traveling, you’ll find me hanging out with my wife Karyn and our yellow lab, Luna, in Santa Cruz, California: hiking, savoring the natural world, seeing friends, cooking new recipes, playing cards and mahjong, swimming, and loving my children and grandchildren. My latest passion is photography and you’ll see a lot of my pictures accompanying my posts here.
Not sure yet? Here’s what people are saying:
“Laura Davis has revolutionized my relationship to writing. 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 is a gifted teacher who skillfully brings together strangers into a caring community. Her knowledge and deliberate choices of quotes, readings and prompts work together to bring out the best in her students. I highly recommend her as a creative midwife.”
--Debbie Owen, Long Beach, CA
“Laura knows how to inspire the best writing. I keep her voice, questions, poems and encouragement on my shoulder every time I sit down to write.”
--Nancy Brown, Bonny Doon, California
“With Laura, I found the perfect combination of direction, inspiration, permission, and community. With her 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
“The prompts Laura provides are perfect for accessing what’s important.”
--Veronica Robinson, Scotts Valley, California
“Laura is a phenomenal, soul-based, sensitive, thoughtful, considerate teacher. Her prompts and guidance provide a phenomenal way for me to tap my inner resources and gain access to deeper levels of myself. I’m able to access content I usually avoid. What a magnificent way to grow as a person and as a writer!”
--Si Steinberg, Boise, Idaho
"I am so grateful to have Laura as my writing teacher. Without her keen instruction and astute instincts, writing would still be a vague yearning inside of me. Perhaps the most effective technique in Laura’s teaching bag of tricks is not a tool at all, but her steadfast willingness to fearlessly, beautifully put herself on paper. The perfect original lesson of demonstration still tops them all."
--Nancy Miner
"I find Laura to be a profound role model."
--Cliff Haggerty
“You bring healing, community, and love into the world. These gifts are accompanied by courage and grace in truth-telling without judgement, criticism, or blame. It is the nurture and care of the human heart that sets you apart from other writing teachers. You are not just teaching a writing class; your pedagogy is transformative.”
--Eileene Tejada, PhD, Professor of English and Anthropology, Napa Valley College
