The Day the Wall Fell

A whole world in a tiny valley. The town of Mayschoß in the Ahr River valley. © Laurel Decher, 2016. Every year on October 3, Germany celebrates the Tag der Deutschen Einheit, (literally, the “Day of German Unity.”) It’s the day when East and West Germany came back together after World War II. Once as […]

Over at the Winged Pen, we’re writing about “getting the words”

I’ve collected some tips from fellow Winged Pen writers about how they get words on the page. I was surprised at the variety of techniques almost all of us use: daily word counts (or not), planning to write, the open sentence technique, and more. As a writer-friend said once, “Sometimes I think writing is continuous […]

The Joy of Exploring Your Writing Territory

The first hand-held calculator was invented “after hours” in Buchenwald concentration camp by Curt Herzstark. Image: Arithmeum, Bonn. I’ve been reading Susan Kaye Quinn‘s Indie Author Survival Guide (Second Edition) Crafting a Self-Publishing Career Book 1). Unfortunately, the book is no longer available, but there’s an interview with Susan Kaye Quinn on The Creative Penn […]

Writing Gratitude Countdown (6): The Gift of a Professional Eye

Ferris Wheel In Progress. Dresden, Germany. © Laurel Decher, 2016. Writing Gratitude Countdown This is the sixth post in my Writing Gratitude Countdown. As we gain more experience as writers, we learn to value different things. (The earlier posts are: 1. The Gift of Attention , 2. The Gift of Permission, and 3. The Gift […]

Writing Gratitude Countdown (5): The Gift of a Deadline

This is the fifth post in my Writing Gratitude Countdown. (Find all the posts: 1. The Gift of Attention , 2. The Gift of Permission, and 3. The Gift of Hospitality, and 4. The Gift of Feedback, 5. The Gift of a Deadline.) I keep finding more things to appreciate about the writing life. It’s […]

Writing Gratitude Countdown (4): The Gift of Feedback

Who helps you see your work clearly? © Laurel Decher, 2016. This is the fourth post in my Writing Gratitude Countdown. It’s a series about people who’ve helped me on my writing journey so far. I’m taking a moment to say a heartfelt thank you! (Find all the posts: 1. The Gift of Attention , […]

Writing Gratitude Countdown: (3) People who Rocked my Worlds

This is the third post in my Writing Gratitude Countdown. I’m noticing that gratitude is like a pair of sunglasses. My writing journey takes on a whole color. (Find all the posts: 1. The Gift of Attention , 2. The Gift of Permission, and 3. The Gift of Hospitality, and 4. The Gift of Feedback, […]

Writing Gratitude Countdown (2) The Gift of Permission

This is the second post in my Writing Gratitude Countdown. It’s my way of re-discovering the richness of the creative life. (Find all the posts: 1. The Gift of Attention , 2. The Gift of Permission, and 3. The Gift of Hospitality, and 4. The Gift of Feedback, 5. The Gift of a Deadline.) 2. […]

Writing Gratitude Count-down: (1) The Gift of Attention

Pothole in the road full of cherry blossom petals. © Laurel Decher, 2016. I keep realizing how many people have generously encouraged my writing. It’s so easy to send out queries and focus on the–sometimes deafening–silence, but when I look back on my writing journey, I see so many people who have gone out of […]

The question that moves my work forward

What’s the simplest solution? This is the question that moves me forward when I get stuck. I’m not sure why it helps. Maybe it’s what my friend and writing mentor Susan Graham calls “making a decision.” Friends are a gift. With this question, I move forward with the information I’ve already got. Information gathering stops. […]

Writers Working Together Online: 8 Things We Can Do Better Together

12, Rue Cortot, Montmartre, Paris. This house in Montmartre housed a community of Impressionist painters and writers. © Laurel Decher, 2013. Have you noticed all the different kinds of author and publishing groups? Have you noticed all the different kinds of author and publishing groups on the internet? Some of these are no longer active, […]

The Comfort of Home Food: Bagels in Leiden, The Netherlands

This tiny bakery in the Netherlands, Better Bagels, sells the real thing. It also has Joe the Slicer, a 90 km/hour table saw for bagels. © Laurel Decher, 2016. A German Brötchen is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A chewy bagel is just about the opposite. So, of course, Germans crave […]