The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis Podcast

Laura's Substack Recommendations for June 2025: @aimeeliu, MFA Lore . Aimee Liu offers her audience the invaluable, precious gift of her knowledge and experience as a veteran novelist, ghostwriter and graduate-level creative writing teacher. Her bestselling novels, informed by her Asian American heritage, have been published in more than a dozen languages, and she has written for the Los Angeles T...

Each week, Laura pairs a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday. Today's featured poem: "Hold Out Your Hand" by Julia Fehrenbacher. Julia Fehrenbacher is a poet, an author, a life coach, a teacher, a regular practicer of yoga, and a sometimes-painter. She is most at home by the ocean and in the forests. You can find her at her website . You...

Midweek Pause for Peace: a little something for your heart and nervous system every Wednesday. Today's featured poem: The Hardest Days by Clint Smith. Clint Smith is a teacher, poet, and doctoral candidate in Education at Harvard University. He is a National Poetry Slam champion, an Individual World Poetry Slam finalist, and has served a cultural ambassador for the US Department of State. He has b...

In this week's episode, Laura Davis explores her journey to discover the essence of her business, what she really has to offer people--and has been offering people for the last forty years. You can find information about Laura's writing classes, workshops and retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as...

This is the start of a new feature on my Substack: Midweek Pause for Peace. I’ll pair a beautiful image with a poem—a little something for your heart and your nervous system. —Laura Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing we can do, but we can always send love. This poem by Carrie Newcomer is a great demonstration of that. Carrie Newcomer is a songwriter, poet & podcast co-host with 19 nationally...

In this episode, Laura explores when chaos and uncertainty feel overwhelming and how identifying what remains constant offers refuge. Discover a powerful writing prompt that helps restore perspective in stressful times. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Subs...

In this episode, Laura explores a powerful meditation on balancing awareness of painful truths with seeking beauty in times of global crisis, ending with a reflective writing prompt for readers. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular p...

In this episode Laura confronts unexpected fears while renewing her passport in a changed America, concluding with reflective writing prompts for readers. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well as beautifully...

In this episode, Author Laura Davis shares a powerful poetry-based writing prompt to help you discover joy despite challenging times. Features poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Dedicated to helping others explore creative practice, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is an American poet, associated with Colorado. She was Poet Laureate of San Miguel County, Colorado from 2006–2010, and was named Poet Laurea...

In this episode, Laura provides this guided writing prompt to help you transform anxiety into resilience. Explore your unique sources of strength—from ancestral wisdom to personal experiences—during politically turbulent times. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis...

In this episode, Laura's powerful story shows how the grit we develop overcoming personal challenges equips us with the resilience needed to face today's uncertain world. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts like these, as well...

In this episode, Laura shares an intimate exploration of living on life's precipice: facing personal challenges, political upheaval, & a transformative writing prompt to explore your own edges. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular po...

In this episode, Laura shares her unexpected revelation as a cancer survivor. After 18 years cancer-free, my mammogram showed something concerning. Surprisingly, facing mortality isn't what terrifies me now—it's our divided world. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Da...

In this episode, Laura explores powerful techniques to reclaim joy amid chaos with this inspirational writing exercise. Learn how to celebrate life's small pleasures despite uncertainty. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular posts lik...

In this episode, Laura explores how when devastation rains down from those in power, our resistance rises. This fierce essay declares what remains untouchable despite the ease of destruction. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular post...

In this episode, Laura shares a personal how a story of women supporting each other through community inspires a thoughtful writing prompt on building meaningful connections as acts of resistance in uncertain times. You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack...

In this episode, Laura explores how daily walks in nature offer peaceful perspective during political uncertainty, reminding us our troubles are just a moment in the vast timeline of existence.  You can find information about Laura’s writing classes, workshops, and international retreats at: https://lauradavis.net/ Subscribe to The Writer's Journey with Laura Davis on Substack to receive regular p...

You may wonder why you should bother to use writing prompts—let’s face it; a lot of typical ones are boring. You may also assume that prompts are only appropriate for beginners; but I’ve found them invaluable for writers at every level. In my decades responding to prompts and creating and personalizing them for my students, I’ve learned a lot about what makes an effective, compelling, truth-produc...

The Writer's Journey Podcast Notes - Episode: Meet Laura Davis Episode Overview In this intimate introduction episode, seven-time bestselling author Laura Davis welcomes listeners to The Writer's Journey and shares her remarkable story of transformation from trauma survivor to internationally recognized writing teacher and memoir specialist. About Laura Davis Laura Davis is a seven-time bestsellin...

In this video, I describe in detail: * the benefit of writing prompts * who writing prompts are intended for * the how: crucial steps in successfully responding to a writing prompt * why it’s essential to separate the creator from the editor * how writing prompts can increase your versatility and nimbleness as a writer * what it means to “go for the jugular” * why you should never cross out in a f...

Today, I share a favorite poem and a writing prompt inspired by that poem. The poet is Dorianne Laux. I first became aware of her work 40 years ago, when she submitted a poem for publication in the first edition of The Courage to Heal. I’ve followed her work ever since. I love her powerful, eloquent voice. This is one of her poems that I’ve often used as the basis of a writing prompt for my studen...

In this video, I discuss a dozen concrete steps you can take when you’re approaching tough, traumatic or potentially triggering subject matter in your writing. I discuss the following strategies in depth: * Use timed writings and stop when the predetermined time is over. Knowing there is an ending time can give you permission to dive deeply into your writing. Knowing there is a time to stop builds...