Laura Munson:: Author, Storyteller, Lecturer, Teacher

How did Haven Writing Retreats get started?

After my memoir, "This Is Not The Story You Think It Is" became a New York Times best-seller, I suddenly was on the speaking circuit and I discovered a common theme:

women are starving for a more authentic and powerful way of expressing themselves.

But they are so stuck and for the most part, for the same reasons. I heard these refusals over and over:

"Who do I think I am? I'm not an authority on this subject-- I mean I don't have letters after my name in this field. I was raised with 'speak when spoken to,' and 'don't show off,' and "seen but not heard."'

And I realized that women need to be having these conversations and they need to be doing it in small, intimate, well-guided settings, and maybe even far away from home.

So I put it on Facebook one day: "Hey-- who wants to come on a writing retreat with me in Montana?" And in two hours, 24 people signed up. And Haven was born. That was 8 years ago and Haven has served 1000 alums, in my now 5 programs. I've seen it change lives over and over.

What's the biggest surprise or 'aha' moments you've had since starting Haven? 

That often times for real shifts and changes to happen for people, they need to be away from the people in their daily lives, outside of their comfort zone, and in the wilderness where the lessons are served up every moment.

You just have to take a pause from your life, immerse yourself, and pay attention.

People so often become islands when they are going through crossroads moments or big changes in their lives. You don't have to do it alone. You can come to Haven, learn your heart language, and get the support you deserve.

I set out to lead a "writing retreat." That was it. But after my first retreat I realized that this work is about a LOT more than writing. It's about learning to live in your truth and your flow.

We talk a lot about the "creative process" but what does it personally mean to you?

There are many ways to be in a creative process, and it's important to find a way to express yourself that truly feeds you. For me, it's by using the written and spoken word.
It means showing up at the intersection of heart and mind and craft that is the writing life. And it means to honor it as not just words, but as a meditation, a prayer, a practice, a way of life, and sometimes a way TO life.

Tell me about a failure that you learned from?

I've written MANY books since I graduated from college in 1988 and claimed the writing life with all my heart.

Two of those books are published. Five or so that aren't published are good. I intend on getting those published. The rest are exercises in learning. Does that mean that I feel like those books are a failure? No. They are what taught me how to be the writer that I am. I didn't submit all of those books for publication, but the ones that were submitted and rejected of course hurt because I wanted them to land in people's hearts.

That said, those rejections don't take away what I learned from them. They made me a better writer. They made me fight harder to learn my craft. And ultimately they've taught me that I can't control the outcome of my books. Even if they're published, I can't control whether or not people like them or loathe them.

All I can control is writing the best book I can in the way that only I can write it. And that's good news. We can control the process and that helps me let go of what society calls "success" and "failure."

It's about doing the work. Period.

What motivates or inspires you?

Writing is my lifeline. I need it to navigate this beautiful and heartbreaking thing called life.

Name 1 or 2 women who you admire?

Terry Tempest Williams and my mother.

If you could look back and give yourself some advice what would you tell your younger self?

Success and failure are myths. Love the work. Because you're going to have a lot of rejections. And you're going to have a lot of success. And none of it ultimately defines you.

Take heart: and write.

What advice do you think your older self would tell you now at this moment in your life?

Try to have some FUN promoting your book this time! Enjoy it. You've worked hard. You're its messenger. That's all.

Be a good messenger, enjoy being its messenger, and get back to work on your next book.

Tell me about the inspiration for your new book, Willa's Grove? And did you have a "So now what?" moment?

The idea came to me after leading one of my Haven Writing Retreats in Montana. Over and over I hear, “This just changed my life.” Or “From now on it’s before Haven and after Haven.” Or “Yes, this was about writing, but it’s about so much more.”

And I thought, How can I possibly capture the magic of what happens when people come together far from home, to powerfully and intentionally tap into the essence of their self-expression, their voices, their heart language?

How can I show how essential temporary community can be?

How can I call people to take this stand for themselves—especially when they feel alone or misunderstood or isolated in their lives?

How can I make a case for bridging to people outside your daily life in order to bridge more authentically back to your home community?

And these four women were born. This book is in no way about a writing retreat. But I hope that the spirit of what happens at Haven…happens in the pages of Willa’s Grove.

And yes, Haven was born out of the need I saw for self-expression when I was on the road promoting my memoir...but it was also born out of one of the greatest "so now what" moments of my life.

I needed a consistent income to keep my children's and my life stable in post-divorce reinvention. I asked myself what my talents and passions were. And with the nudging of a few good friends, I stepped into a new role as a teacher and retreat facilitator.

Outside of my motherhood and my writing, it's the most important work I've done so far in my life.