Author Archives: Hannah Deurloo

Scrabble Photo Panel DIY

I tend to hoard scrabble games. Peices go missing and I end up canabalizing them to make a complete set. I’ve already used the extra boards for a chalk board DIY but what about the tile trays? Combined with a favorite peice of fabric I constructed a photo panel. To replicate this DIY you willContinueContinue reading “Scrabble Photo Panel DIY”

Using Maps for Plotting

I have great writing friend who is brilliant with characters. Whereas my skills lie in the plot. We could learn a lot from one another. We tried the other day and came up with a functional medium, we hope. Here goes, if you start with characters or with plot try this tactic and see ifContinueContinue reading “Using Maps for Plotting”

Letting Go of Perfect

Some days I’m convinced perfectionism is a shape shifter. As I edit my drafts and continue down this writing path I get more and more ‘finished’ projects. At least I think they are finished, till I read them again a week or two later. What happened to my perfect project? Why do I hate theContinueContinue reading “Letting Go of Perfect”

Finding Your Picture Book’s Place

So you a have the most wonderful, adorable, unique idea for a picture book. Great! But what kind of picture book is it? Does it matter? Yes, it really does matter if you are planning on sending those words out into the world. First, you’ll need to decide on the age range of your story.ContinueContinue reading “Finding Your Picture Book’s Place”

Using Arc Beyond Characters

I’ve talked about character before but I’m going deeper this time. Have you ever thought about giving a character like arc to things that technically are not characters? Did I just lose you? What I’m getting at is that characters are not the only ones that change within a story. At least they shouldn’t beContinueContinue reading “Using Arc Beyond Characters”

The Young Adult Book Buyout

I’m a little riled up. I just saw a list circulating Twitter for young adult stories set in college. Young adult is supposed to limit the age of the characters in the book to 18. So unless you are all writing the next version of Young Sheldon Cooper I don’t know why this list exists.ContinueContinue reading “The Young Adult Book Buyout”

Sacred Texts

We all have sacred texts, whether it’s a religious tome or great grandma’s written recipe cards, they have value in our minds and hearts. So what do you do when things are past their usefulness? Do you keep the sentimental notes from valentines day in hopes to create a scrapebook when you have more time.ContinueContinue reading “Sacred Texts”

Dreamy Ideas

There is a sweet spot for creatives while dreaming. It occurs somewhere between just awke and barley asleep. Your dreams are vivid and you have a certain measure of control. This level of awareness in dreams is called lucid dreaming. Often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what thenContinueContinue reading “Dreamy Ideas”

Rooted in Non-Fiction

If you remember third grade science you know most growing things have roots. When it comes to your blooming creativity it too is rooted in something. That something is your experiences, conversations, and head knowledge. The best place for more head knowledge is the non-fiction section at your bookstore, library, or computer screen. I hearContinueContinue reading “Rooted in Non-Fiction”

Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair

I have longer hair and on occasion (more than I’d care to admit) I don’t get a chance to brush it. While this isn’t a great place to be for my hair, it’s excellent for a story plot. No one wants to be board. No one wants to be able to guess the ending. EveryContinueContinue reading “Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair”

Be A Time Hoarder

In some ways I compare myself to a dragon. I’m fiercely protective of my own and a bit of a hoarder (you’ve seen my books right?). While most hording tendencies I keep a rein on I’m actually doing the opposite with time. I really like my time. It’s in limited amounts and rare in myContinueContinue reading “Be A Time Hoarder”

Writing Resources for Kid Lit

I’ve been writing kids stories going on four years now and I’ve complied a list of all my favorite resources. Things that go back to over and over again. I hope sharing will help you on your writing journey as well. Inspiration: Anything can inspire you for your next story. Watch around you for thoseContinueContinue reading “Writing Resources for Kid Lit”

DIY Valentines Day Cards

Is it just me or is it hard to find a Valentine’s Day card that says just the right thing? Maybe I’m too picky or weird. But there is no way I’m looking through dozens of cards to find the perfect one this year. So instead, I’ve decided to make my own card and words.ContinueContinue reading “DIY Valentines Day Cards”

So Much More Than One Story

I’d like to formally announce I will be published in the online journal Months To Years! Read The Last Bumblebee in the Winter 2018 issue for yourself HERE. I’m thrilled. Let me explain why this is such a big deal. Stay with me. One, my family inspired the idea. Two, it’s the first story I’veContinueContinue reading “So Much More Than One Story”

Finding Your People

We are all blessed with a few friends in our lives that we cannot do without at some point or another. Friends are necessary. However, writing is by default a lonely endeavor. Lonely out of necessity. You can’t hold a conversation between your own head and a blank page while talking to your cubicle mate.ContinueContinue reading “Finding Your People”

Ice Cream Characters

Characters are one of the hardest parts of a story to put together, for me at least. I tend to make them all the same base and just sprinkle them with different emotional toppings. But like ice cream there are so many versions of people it’s endless. So let’s dig into building character a bit.ContinueContinue reading “Ice Cream Characters”

Driving through Winter Doubt

In Michigan we get the worst potholes in the winter, can I get an Amen. The giant green plough trucks skim the road and at each spot the pavement is buckled it rips off the top like a scab you can’t quit picking at. So slowly over the course of winter the holes get biggerContinueContinue reading “Driving through Winter Doubt”

Speaking DIY: Introverts Revolt

  Deep breaths. Public speaking… breathe… isn’t… breathe… the end of all. Or maybe it is to you. And I’d challenge you to think a bit differently. You are an expert on your DIY project. It’s fun. It’s helpful. You’re knowledge is useful. Therefore people want to hear you talk about it. This is aContinueContinue reading “Speaking DIY: Introverts Revolt”