We are divided into one category of writers or the other; we are either pantsters or plotters. While I do not know for sure who coined these terms, the pantster writes by the seat of their pants while the plotter writes from an established plan. Etymology aside, I am a plotter and my plan usually takes the form of anContinueContinue reading “Building a Frame, not a Cage”
Author Archives: Hannah Deurloo
Holiday Pinecones
The trick to painting the tips of pinecones is not meticulous work and endless time. It’s as simple as a letting nature do the work for us! Here is how I make perfectly frosted pinecones for the holidays! I live in Michigan so, if I want to get pinecones from under my pine trees, nowContinueContinue reading “Holiday Pinecones”
5 Baking Tips
I’m just going to say it, I love to bake. So I regularly tune into some of the old school chefs, Jacques Pepin, Julia Childs, Martha Stewart, all courtesy of my local PBS Station. Throughout the years I’ve picked up some handy tips and tricks that I use regularly. I’d like to share a fewContinueContinue reading “5 Baking Tips”
Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Recipe
Do you love lattes? Does your wallet scream every time you go into a coffee house? You know Starbucks has the word ‘bucks’ in it for a reason. Here is a sweet solution I have concocted and cannot get enough of. I must have my morning coffee, with cream and sugar. But not just any sugar.ContinueContinue reading “Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Recipe”
Two Day Curls!
My hair is naturally straight but some days I just have to have bouncy curls! Problem, I don’t own a curling iron for many reasons, top of the list being my hair is just too long and thick to effectively curl in a decent amount of time. My solution goes back to the days ofContinueContinue reading “Two Day Curls!”
Lost for Words: Five ways to Generate Story Ideas
I was recently asked how I come up with new ideas to write about so regularly. I liken it to an athlete doing conditioning. To condition you practice, you stretch, and you eat right. Writing is no different. You practice your writing each day or at least as often as you possibly can. You stretchContinueContinue reading “Lost for Words: Five ways to Generate Story Ideas”
Terrarium How To
We have all seen the gorgeous terrarium plantings sprinkled all over Pinterest but have you actually tried to make your own? They are surprisingly easy and wonderfully forgiving for those of us with less than a green thumb. Recently I snagged a great deal on a large glass globe at a thrift store. You canContinueContinue reading “Terrarium How To”
Gift Kits for Gardeners
Do you have that one person that is so hard to shop for? I know I do. You know they are crazy about gardening but clueless where to even start looking? Here are some clever garden ideas to get you started this holiday season. If you are lucky you may even snag some of theseContinueContinue reading “Gift Kits for Gardeners”
Understanding Your Home Style
Pull up your Pinterest account. Do you have a house board? Maybe you’ve split it into bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. You have no idea why but those pictures spoke to you. But when you go to the hardware store and go down the isles you have no idea what to pick let alone how thingsContinueContinue reading “Understanding Your Home Style”
Edit vs. Revise
How many times have you heard this: “I’ve finished my book! Now I just need an editor!” But is it really done? Have they done revisions? Or when you offer to take the first ten pages do you find so many errors you can’t keep track of the story? We have all been there– onContinueContinue reading “Edit vs. Revise”
Writing Revisions
I’m currently revising my book, it’s a daunting task. I’ve read lots of posts and articles on the ‘best’ way to revise. Then all the articles talking about when you are actually ‘done’ revising. What I’ve realized is that everyone’s process is different just like every book is. I’d like to share the process I’mContinueContinue reading “Writing Revisions”
How to optimize your website for Pinterest
We all have seen viral photos, hello grumpy kitty. Can you imagine the site traffic boost if just one of your photos goes viral? Oh the joy! Not only is your photo out there but so is your website! Right? Odds are no. As a blogger, I have taken the time to set up eachContinueContinue reading “How to optimize your website for Pinterest”
Wand Making
Can’t wait for the new JK Rowling film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?” Get ready by making your own custom wand! I’ve made several for a Harry Potter movie marathon party, they were a huge hit with all of my guests. Skeptical? It’s easier than you think. Here are the steps I tookContinueContinue reading “Wand Making”
Seed Saver
Gardening is very close to my heart. It combines nurturing and creation in a whole new way. After my flowers have bloomed for the summer and fall comes around they begin to go dormant. Producing new attractions in the form of seed pods. Whether it is the center of the sunflower head, round pods ofContinueContinue reading “Seed Saver”
Going Pro
What is it going to take for you to decide to Go Pro with your creative life? What event, what words, what epiphany, will need to happen for you to wake up and realize the only thing stopping you is yourself? About 10 months ago I sat at home with my newborn, everything was newContinueContinue reading “Going Pro”
Villainous Names
I recently asked my writing group to help me pick out my villain’s name for my current book. I had a small list of options and I liked one better because when my husband said it in a deep voice it sounded sinister. Great reason right? I got the gambit back in comments. The mostContinueContinue reading “Villainous Names”
The Four Page Fallout
“So I have two pages but have no idea what happens next,” you announce to your writing group in agony. “How can you not know?” the shy girl asks, “It’s your story?” You shrug in reply and eye rolls abound. But you know they have the same problem you do. So what do we doContinueContinue reading “The Four Page Fallout”
Living Intentionally
Many of us look back on time that has gone by with a fleeting feeling of anxiety. Wasn’t it just spring? What have I been doing all summer? Now is the time to live intentionally, not next week or next year– Now. For me this feeling of lost time has hit me in the gutContinueContinue reading “Living Intentionally”
Holy Homesteading 