One of my favorite collaborative efforts. Steel and heather. Alfter, Germany. ©Laurel Decher, 2018. Reading is a collaborative and creative activity. The reader is in
In January, we had heavy winds for this area. They were impressive, but I think winds are much stronger in other, drier parts of the
The other day, I got my first pair of reading glasses. All of a sudden, reading, computers, knitting–even the fine print at the store–is SO
My doodle for the SCBWI Europolitan Conference in Belgium. ©Laurel Decher, 2017. Hanging out with all of the illustrators at the 2017 SCBWI Europolitan Conference
Is your #expatfamily cranky? Heroes in every story get worn out. Sometimes the right story gives them the strength to get up and go again . . .
Maybe you need Giant Trouble . . .
#jackandthebeanstalk #boypeacemaker #chapatis #comicstripartist #bookworm
Need book recommendations for the 9 to 12 year old readers on your gift list? Here are the 10 books for this age group I
Imaginations are powerful, how are we using ours? Note: I originally wrote this post in 2017, but it feels just as relevant to me now.
This handy infographic will help you sketch out your next series in no time. Points to techniques from experienced and generous authors: Mary Robinette Kowal, Robin Stevens, Susan Kaye Quinn, Writing Excuses podcast, Rachel Aaron, and literary super-agent, Gemma Cooper. With this all-star cast of online mentors, you’ll be raring to write.
Note: This post was written in 2017, but it’s always a good reminder for me. Hopefully, it will help someone else. People look beautiful and
Abbey Mariawald, the only existing Trappist monastery in Germany. Founded 1470 A.D. Heimbach, Germany. ©Laurel Decher, 2017. Safe spaces to create art Lately, I’ve been
The Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Italy was over the top! I love watching live orchestras and this one had 5 string basses. 🙂 And the
Vegetable garden overtaken by poppies, nasturitiums, cosmos and zucchini plants Clearly this garden needs tools and more plants. 🙂 I’ve never grown vegetables in Germany–until