About Laurie Buchanan

Author | Speaker

Staying Connected

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

In my first book, Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth, I wrote:

“Communication is the mortar that holds humanity together; it’s the very currency of our society.”

With cancellations, social distancing, and self-quarantining due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, communication is more vital than ever.

Today we have social media at our fingertips. The digital neighborhood includes platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.

Aside from reading people’s blogs, my favorite online way to stay connected is Instagram.

What’s your favorite online way to stay connected?

We Eloped 40 Years Ago

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

Len and I eloped on St. Patrick’s Day forty years ago. My parents were less than thrilled, but they soon discovered that he’s a terrific guy and ended up loving him as much as they loved me.

People often ask us the recipe for our success. The secret is in the way we express our love. Here’s a list of our favorite ingredients:

Mutual respect
Intentional kindness
Active listening
Forgiveness
Quality individual time, balanced with quality together time
Personal hobbies, balanced with mutual interests
Laughter. Definitely laughter!

What’s your favorite relationship ingredient?

Plans & Projects

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

Len and I are fortunate in that we live a stone’s throw from the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center. It’s open year-round, and the admission is free. I can, and do, spend hours at a time in there wandering, looking, sitting on the beautiful benches, and thinking.

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ―Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

I feel it. Do you?
That itch to empty the house and scrub it from top to bottom. Only putting half of everything back in and donating the rest.

“It’s the time for plans and projects”—what’s at the top of your list?

Writers’ Institute 2020

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

I’m excited to present three sessions at this year’s UW-Madison Writers’ Institute March 26-29.

Without a doubt, I would not have two award-winning books (and a third book on the way) had it not been for this writing conference. It gave me—and continues to provide—the tools, confidence, and support necessary for publication.

While there, I will be available for thirty-minute WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW sessions where I’ll meet one-on-one with individuals to discuss all things writing.

There’s still time to register: https://uwwritersinstitute.wisc.edu

What is the most recent type of conference that you attended?

P-Squared: Peace & Productivity

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

My hiatus in Cardiff by the Sea, CA was both peaceful and productive.

The peaceful part for me is inherent in just being by the ocean. That, coupled with sunshine, loads of hummingbird activity, and what I call “nesting”—ample time to think, noodle, and simply be.

Thirteen out of the nineteen days were writing days. That’s where the productivity came in. I’m well on my way to completing Iconoclast—book two of the thriller series I’m currently working on.

When was the last time you carved out P-Squared time?

ON hiatus – OFF the grid

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

For the next three Tuesdays you won’t receive an email notification that I’ve published a fresh post. Why? Because I’m ON hiatus and OFF the grid from February 1-19.

I’m not going to share my exact location at this time, but here’s a hint. The photo below is a well-known landmark a stone’s throw from the location I’ll be at.

If you know where it is, shhhh, don’t tell anyone. It’ll be our little secret. I’m going on a deep-dive and won’t come back up for air until I return to Boise.

When was the last time you went on hiatus?

Adventure Awaits

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

There are no two ways about it — I ❤️ TO TRAVEL!

When I mind-map each year, the four categories that I break down into small attainable steps are health, family/friends, travel, and writing/speaking. Stateside or international—planes, trains, or automobiles—for me, travel is a cornerstone.

Whether I go by myself, with Len, or with my sister, I enjoy the sense of adventure. I make a practice of packing light. Really light. I never check my baggage: just two pieces, a wheeled carry-on, and a laptop tote. And I enjoy arriving at the airport early so that I can people-watch.

The moment I buckle into my seat, I pop my earbuds in (the international signal for “please do not disturb”), pull out my Kindle, and read until the plane lands.

I currently have four sets of round-trip airline tickets waiting for use in my travel folder. My first adventure of the year is coming up soon. I’ll share more about that in next week’s post.

Do you have up-and-coming travel plans?

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Author Archives: Laurie Buchanan