Lauren Carter | Author, Coach & Teacher

Welcome! I’m Lauren…

A writer and writing teacher

My mission is to create deeply and help others deeply create. Sign up to receive news about writing process and the writing life – and get a funky infographic I made called How To Write.

WHAT’S NEW

My new baby is now out!

This Has Nothing to Do With You is a compulsively readable novel that follows a dynamic cast of characters, revealing the complexity of the bonds that are formed through trauma and grief—with siblings, lovers, friends, and dogs.

“I found it tender and devastating. A deep dive into the trauma created by family secrets — and secret-keeping.” – Sarah Selecky

Read more about THNTDWY!

“We work in the dark – we do what we can – we give what we have.”

– Joyce Carol Oates

Discover my work

Books

“Beautiful and emotional” (Publishers Weekly). “Somberly melodic” (Booklist). “Stunning” (the Canadian Book Review Annual). Discover my books.

Coaching & Consulting

Do you long to write or strengthen your writing skills? I can help you improve your craft, negotiate your resistances, work more regularly, and build faith in your writer self.

“Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.”

– Sylvia Plath

My Blog

Chaos (Again)

Jan 16, 2020 | 10 Comments

These days, I'm working on the fourth draft of a strange, new novel. It is largely plot-driven so sometimes I wake in the night with an aggravating case of "what ifs." What if this happened... Could it? Do I dare? Yes, I do! I get up, stumble to the spare room, and...

3:33 a.m.

Dec 13, 2019 | 0 Comments

Over the past few nights, I’ve woken up at exactly 3:33 a.m. with thoughts about my current novel-in-process running through my head. What if, I’ve been thinking… and following this curve of questioning has led me to discover an exciting twist (at least to me...) that...

Read Canadian.

Dec 5, 2019 | 8 Comments

Private messages from readers who loved This Has Nothing To Do With You keep coming to me through text and email and private message, and it's really a thrill. I'm very thankful, but along with expressing my gratitude I usually respond by asking if they could please...

As a child, I would scribble a pen on paper and ask my mother to read my nonsense words. Even before I could write, I longed to write. That doesn't mean, though, that it was easy once I knew how to spell and structure sentences. Over the years, through practice and study, I've learned loads about creative anxiety, craft, and what it takes to do the work - all of which has helped me become a more committed, patient, and courageous writer who knows how to get out of her own way. Sound enticing? I can help you get there.

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TESTIMONIALS

Praise from clients

Tara Borin

Poet

Lauren is a wonderful coach! She was always supportive, insightful and ready with just the right readings and resources. These days, the fact that I’ve committed to keeping my writing time [when faced with childcare challenges], rather than just throwing up my hands and losing steam (as has happened in the past) says a lot about how far I’ve come in the two months I’ve been with her! I really *feel* like a writer who is actively engaged in her practice! I am so excited about what is to come, and I’m so grateful for all she’s done to help me along the way!

Angie Gallop

Freelance writer/editor

I’m writing regularly on my own stuff now. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for 20+ years, but I’ve always had reasons why I couldn’t keep it up: the year-end is due; I have freelance writing deadlines; I have a 10+ item list of admin tasks; I’m a Mom; I’m busy! Lauren, very patiently, supportively, and non-judgmentally, gave me resources that spoke to my situation, put up a mirror to my “crazies”, and encouraged me to kick them down one by one. It was quite a journey, and I’m eternally grateful!

E. B. Page

Writer

Lauren was incredibly insightful and helped me build confidence in my creative process. She provided me with the tools, knowledge and resources I need to restructure my novel. Lauren also helped me create a clear plan I can follow to accomplish my goals without feeling so overwhelmed.

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