Dear friends,

Now and then a deeply rewarding opportunity comes around, and I’m thrilled that this is one that I get to both experience and share with you.

Laura Davis, along with her co-author Ellen Bass, broke new ground when they published The Courage to Heal in 1988. This book and the teaching that these pioneering women have done have changed literally millions of readers’ lives and I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that their book set the landscape from which the MeToo movement would grow 40 years later.

So when Laura asked me to host a series of conversations with her about writing and healing and reconciliation, and to invite others not only to listen in, but to join in…well, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

For about the price of two paperback books ($39), you can join us for, and participate in four revealing and informative in-depth online conversations, AND receive a copy of Laura’s moving and inspiring new memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars.

Scroll down to find the topics we’ll explore. Scroll further to find the link to register. We also have some extra “registration bonuses” that those who participate will be eligible to win.

Each session will be recorded, in case you can’t join live. But if you can join us, we’ll welcome you into the conversation as well. There will be time for you to ask your own questions.

I hope you’ll join us for this special exchange. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Betsy

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Writing, Healing, & Reconciliation: Four Intimate Conversations with Laura Davis, bestselling author of The Courage to Heal, in dialogue with Betsy Graziani Fasbinder

September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7

5 – 6 PM Pacific Time

Live on Zoom and Recorded

• Do you want to deepen your use of writing as a tool for healing and growth?

• Are you wondering what it takes from making the leap from personal writing to a publishable book?

• Do you have strained personal relationships, know anyone who does? Would you like to know how to move forward when two people are estranged?

• Have you always wanted to ask a bestselling author how they made it? And what happened after they became famous?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll want to join this fascinating, online series.

Laura will draw on her experiences of writing seven books, including the bestselling The Courage to Heal and the forthcoming The Burning Light of Two Stars, and her 20+ years teaching writing in workshops across the US and on retreats internationally.

Laura and Betsy will get to the heart of why writing is such a powerful instrument for expression and healing, and how the writing (and sometimes publishing) your stories can change your life in the most unexpected ways.

Each hour-long interview will be held on Zoom and recorded for you to watch online. Time at the end will be reserved for you to ask Laura your burning questions.

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THE CONVERSATIONS

1. Behind The Courage to Heal: What Is It Like to Be Suddenly Catapulted into Fame for the Worst Thing That Ever Happened to You?

• September 7th, 5:00 pm Pacific Time (8:00 pm Eastern Time)
• While Ellen Bass and Laura Davis broke through the barriers of silence and secrecy about sexual abuse, those invested in keeping such secrets hidden came out in forceful opposition. Meanwhile, Laura struggled with the steps of her own healing journey, all the while experiencing the outpouring of painful memories from readers and audiences. All this happened when she was only 31 years old—unprepared to be propelled into notoriety for the worst thing that ever happened to her.
• This session reveals the behind-the-scenes experience of publishing The Courage to Heal and the impact of the movement that it started.

2. Five Ways to Use Writing as a Tool for Healing and Transformation

• October 5th, 5:00 pm Pacific Time (8:00 pm Eastern Time)
• A crucial part of the healing process for anyone grieving, healing from trauma, struggling with uncertainty or dealing with life changes is to experience their stories through the eyes of a benevolent witness. While that witness is often a friend, a confidante, a writing partner, or a therapist, writing our stories enables us to become one of our own benevolent witnesses, inviting an element of healing for ourselves.
• This session offers methods, techniques, and tools for writing in a way that elicits healing, while still operating with emotional safety and self-compassion.

3. Navigating Difficult Relationships: Reconciliation, Forgiveness & New Paths Toward Resolution

• November 2nd, 5:00 pm Pacific Time (8:00 pm Eastern Time)
• Forgive and forget. Move on. Let it go. These and other not-so-helpful adages are the instructions that we often hear when we’re estranged or in conflict with friends or family members. But relationships with people who have hurt us—or who we have hurt—are not like a simple switch of yes/no, on/off, unforgiven/forgiven, contact/no-contact.
• In this session, we’ll explore the nuances of navigating challenging relationships and the decision-making process about what are desirable, feasible, and healthy possibilities in relationships with those who betrayed us or did us harm—or those that we have harmed.  

4. December: From Private Writing to Public Stories: The Journey from Excavation and Discovery to Sharing Your Story with the World

• December 6th, 5:00 pm Pacific Time (8:00 pm Eastern Time)
• First discovering, then writing your story with truth and vulnerability is a brave act, and sometimes this courageous act is the complete experience. But some of us are also prompted to share our stories publicly to offer information, inspiration, or comfort to others. The difference between writing for ourselves and writing for publication includes considerations of craft, ethics, legal liability, and publishing industry requirements.
• In this session, we’ll explore the process of moving from writer to author—the decision, the benefits, and the consequences of going public, and preparing ourselves for the journey.

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IN DISCUSSION TOGETHER:

Laura is thrilled that her seventh book will be published in October and she wants you to celebrate with her! As a gift for signing up for this series, you’ll receive a free copy of her forthcoming memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars, at no extra charge.* It’s a great read, also good for gift-giving, book clubs, family conversations, and group discussions.

*Free postage within the United States. Additional postage will be charged for those outside of the U.S.

As host of The MGP, Betsy Graziani Fasbinder brings her background as a storyteller and her 30+ years of experience as a therapist, writing coach, and speaking coach to every conversation. , In these interviews she explores the stories of survivors, thrivers, innovators, and trailblazers of all kinds, trying to understand the tools and insights they’ve uses to cope with, and overcome the heartbreaks, losses, obstacles, and traumas they’ve experienced.

Betsy coaches writers of both memoir and fiction, helping them to get their stories out of their heads and onto the page. She is a public speaking coach, assisting both the bold and the bashful to find skill and confidence in front of audiences of any size.

She is the author of Fire & Water (a novel), Filling Her Shoes (a memoir), and From Page to Stage: Inspiration, Tools, and Public Speaking Tips for Writers. She has a novel in progress, slated for publication in August 2021. The working title is The Anatomy of Lightning.