About Laurie Buchanan

holistic health practitioner, transformational life coach, speaker, author

Mystery Writers Academy

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

On January 24th, I attended the Mystery Writers Academy hosted by the Idaho Writers Guild and presented by Vickie Gooch, a detective in the Major Crimes Unit of the Idaho State Police.

I now know more about sex crimes, the production and sale of drugs, violent offenders, “suicide by cop,” probable cause affidavits, ViCAP (the FBI’s violent offender program), human trafficking, Touch DNA, cold case homicides, and serial killers than I ever dreamed of. All of it is necessary knowledge when you’re writing a suspense/thriller novel and you want the details to be accurate.

Vicki Gooch’s presentation and examples were outstanding. She’s knowledgeable, humorous, approachable, and a high-energy presenter who kept her writing audience right where she wanted us—dangling at the end of her sharp hook! She’s a great teacher who looks sweet, loving, kind, and thoughtful. But as we all know, appearances can be deceptive. This woman can kick butt and take names!

On February 28th I’m taking a tour of the Idaho State Police Crime Lab. Just imagine what I’ll learn there!

What's your most recent learning? Click To Tweet

What’s your most recent learning?

Walk on the Wild Side

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

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I’m excited to share that I’ve signed my third publishing contract. In the photo below I’m mailing it back to the publisher. This book is slated to hit the shelves in August 2020. I’m over the moon with excitement—Woohoo!

My first two books are nonfiction.

For my third book, I’m taking a walk on the wild side and writing a suspense novel that takes place in the Pacific Northwest. No spoilers here, that’s all I’m sharing right now. Stay tuned for carrot-dangling details.

This book wouldn’t be possible without the Pathway to Publication program at the Writers’ Institute and my writing mentor, Christine DeSmet. We’ve worked together before, and it’s a privilege to work with her again.

The next Writers’ Institute is April 4-7. I’ve attended as a student and as a teacher—both. I can tell you experientially that it’s one of the best writing conferences in the country!

A few months before publication, I’ll be looking for mystery-suspense-thriller authors to read my third book for potential author endorsement blurbs. If you fall into that category and are interested, please let me know via email by using the contact page.

Have you ever written or considered writing a book?

House at Pooh Corner

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

Now that we’ve got a grandchild, I’m dusting off my rusty fingers and getting back into lullaby mode! So far, Luna’s favorite song is Kenny Loggin’s House at Pooh Corner. In the video below, you’ll see that Kenny stopped by (via YouTube) and we jammed a bit.

Story Behind House at Pooh Corner
Kenny Loggins was a 17-year-old high-school senior, staring down his impending adulthood, when he wrote “House at Pooh Corner.” The song was inspired by A.A. Milne’s 1928 book “The House at Pooh Corner,” a collection of short stories about Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood.

What is your all-time favorite song? Click To Tweet

My all-time favorite song is KD Lang’s performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame induction of Leonard Cohen in 2006. Here’s a LINK to it on YouTube. Make sure to watch it all the way to the end. Leonard Cohen is in the audience.

What is your all-time favorite song?

Pucker Up!

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

On watermelon’s heels, grapefruit is my second favorite fruit. In our house, we eat it, drink the juice (unsweetened), and use it as aromatherapy by diffusing grapefruit essential oil in a diffuser. It has a refreshing, citrusy aroma.

According to MEDICAL DAILY, eating grapefruit or drinking its juice, strengthens the immune system, boosts metabolism, reduces kidney stone risk, fights gum disease, protects against cancer, and reduces stress.

According to DOCTORS HEALTH PRESS, when using grapefruit essential oil in the form of aromatherapy, the vapors from grapefruit oil reduce stress, improve mood, reduce inflammation and reduce sugar cravings. It can also help reduce systolic blood pressure.

Not everyone is a fan of this slightly bitter/sour fruit. But even if you do like it, not everyone should have it because it may interact with blood pressure medications and antidepressants. As always, it’s best to consult with your physician.

What's your favorite fruit or essential oil? Click To Tweet

What’s your favorite fruit or essential oil?

Perfect Hideaway

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

I adore my writing studio at home. It’s bright, sunny, and there are lots of beautiful trees, flowers, and shrubs to look at through the five large windows that comprise two of the walls.

But on those occasions when you need to get away, you don’t want to be found, sidled up to, interrupted, or chatted with…

I’ve found a spot that’s even better than the public library (you might be recognized there). Go to the law library at your local college or university. In Boise, we have the College of Law—University of Idaho.

Everyone in the study area of a law library is working against deadlines. They’re much too busy even to look up. You can hear a pin drop. It’s a writer’s paradise!

If you enjoy a bit of background noise, merely pop your earbuds in and listen to your favorite writing music. Several years ago I posted a playlist for writers. It’s called The Key of Sea and can be found by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/y6w7kenr.

“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” —Andrew Carnegie

When you need to hide out, where do you go?

Joie de Vivre

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Laurie Buchanan

Rather than make New Year’s resolutions, each year I select a single word to focus on in the upcoming year. In 2019 I’ve selected a brief phrase—Joie de Vivre! Joy of Life!

At not quite three months old, this brief video clip captures one of our granddaughter’s first laughs. Luna’s expression of joy is the epitome of Joie de Vivre!—Joy of Life!

JOIE DE VIVRE—A delight in being alive; an exuberant, keen, or buoyant enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit.

JOIE DE VIVRE—A philosophy of life; a sentiment that involves one’s whole being.

Do you have a focus word this year?

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 25, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

Len, Evan, Luna, Kayley, and Laurie

May you have peace of mind.
May your heart be filled with joy.
May you love and be loved.

Soulful Prairies

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

Some of you may already aware of this exciting news, but for those of you who aren’t…

We are fine-tuning the details for our 1st Annual Retreat at SOULFUL PRAIRIES in Woodstock, Illinois. This venue is amazing! You’ll be enlightened just visiting this magical farm.

Please navigate to the SOULFUL PRAIRIES website at SoulfulPrairies.com to feel the transformative energy that you’ll experience with us this summer.

Have you experienced the joyful energy of horses?
Gong in the barn?
Networking with like-minded, passionate people that create a collective, positive impact on our world?

Brief overview, subject to change:

1) Friday, June 28th – Peace Education Workshop 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. This offering includes lunch

2) Friday, June 28th – Overnight accommodations at Soulful Prairies — limited to 11 overnight participants. This offering includes dinner, evening group session, and Saturday breakfast.

3) Saturday, June 29th – Business of Being / Living Fully Workshop 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. This offering includes lunch.

Saturday will offer additional options for one-on-one sessions of Reiki, Equine Therapy, and Reflexology.

When registration opens, you can sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 options. It’s up to you!!

SAVE THE DATE(S) — more details to follow

For Planning Purposes
If you’re interested in the 2018 Build-a-Retreat (or a retreat on Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas in January of 2020), please send me an email (laurie buchanan at me dot com) with “I’m interested” in the subject line, and which retreat(s) you’re interested in. Your response does not imply obligation.

Where was the last retreat you attended?

This photo was taken at Soulful Prairies this past summer when I was in Crystal Lake, IL for the picnic-style book launch party for The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace. I can tell you experientially that Soulful Prairies is amazing!

Action Expresses Priorities

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

I enjoy every opportunity I’m given to invest time with my granddaughter, Luna. When we’re together, we’re in the moment. When we’re apart, I daydream. I wonder who she’ll be, what she’ll contribute, and how she’ll show up.

Who are you?
The answer to this question defines our personal and professional success.

How do you show up?
Whether we know it or not, we answer this question every day with our actions.

“Action expresses priorities.” —Mahatma Gandhi

What do your actions say?

We Witnessed a Murder!

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Laurie Buchanan

While Len and I were standing in our driveway, our attention was caught by a murder of crows.

“A group of crows is called a ‘murder.’ There are several different explanations for the origin of this term, mostly based on old folk tales and superstitions. For instance, there is a folktale that rows will gather and decide the capital fate of another crow.”

It was pretty cool to watch them land in the bare tree branches and listen to the cacophony of cawing.

Click the “play” button on the video below to hear the murder.

Have you ever seen a/an:

SHREWDNESS of apes
OBSTINACY of buffalo
POUNCE of cats
COALITION of cheetahs
GULP of cormorants
CONVOCATION of eagles
TROUBLING of goldfish
HEDGE of herons
BLOAT of hippos
EXALTATION of larks
LOUNGE of lizards
PARLIAMENT of owls
OSTENTATION of peacocks
TOWER of giraffes

What’s the most recent grouping of animals you’ve seen?

Tuesdays with Laurie

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

Author Archives: Laurie Buchanan