Laurel Decher
@laureldecher.com
Writes zany adventures for kids ages 9 to 12. Excellent 2nd editions are in the works. Follow along at Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bumpitybp/excellent-new-editions-of-3-lovably-zany-middle-grade-novels?ref=bglusr
A Mini-M.F.A. in the Psychology of Character https://laureldecher.com/a-mini-m-f-a-in-the-psychology-of-character/
A Mini-M.F.A. in the Psychology of Character - Laurel Decher
How do you know what your hero is capable of? A modernistic St. Martin cuts his cloak in half to share with a poor man. Mainz, Germany. Craft books like The Negative Trait Thesaurus and The Positive Trait Thesaurus can help you build strong characters.
laureldecher.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
A Mini-M.F.A. in the Psychology of Character https://laureldecher.com/a-mini-m-f-a-in-the-psychology-of-character/
For Writers https://laureldecher.com/for-writers/
For Writers - Laurel Decher
laureldecher.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
For Writers https://laureldecher.com/for-writers/
Spring is coming. Let’s not give up on hospitality yet. https://laureldecher.com/spring-is-coming-lets-not-give-up-on-hospitality-yet/
Spring is coming. Let’s not give up on hospitality yet. - Laurel Decher
Lately, I’ve been wondering if migration is our natural lot and living peacefully in one place all our lives a rarity. Cranes are migrating and their calls
laureldecher.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Spring is coming. Let’s not give up on hospitality yet. https://laureldecher.com/spring-is-coming-lets-not-give-up-on-hospitality-yet/
Thanks for the ebook! How do I redeem a code for Apple Books? https://laureldecher.com/thanks-for-the-review-copy-how-do-i-redeem-a-promo-code-on-apple-ibooks/
Thanks for the ebook! How do I redeem a code for Apple Books? - Laurel Decher
Did you meet me at a conference or win a giveaway on Apple Books? If you got a CODE for a free ebook from Apple Books, this post is for you. :)
laureldecher.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Thanks for the ebook! How do I redeem a code for Apple Books? https://laureldecher.com/thanks-for-the-review-copy-how-do-i-redeem-a-promo-code-on-apple-ibooks/
Basic Garden Vocabulary in German and a side-trip to Mexican Oregano https://laureldecher.com/basic-garden-vocabulary-in-german-and-a-side-trip-to-mexican-oregano/
Basic Garden Vocabulary in German and a side-trip to Mexican Oregano - Laurel Decher
I’ve never grown vegetables in Germany--until this year. That means I need lots of new words!
laureldecher.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Basic Garden Vocabulary in German and a side-trip to Mexican Oregano https://laureldecher.com/basic-garden-vocabulary-in-german-and-a-side-trip-to-mexican-oregano/
Tour a Fairy Kingdom??? https://laureldecher.com/what-does-the-fairy-kingdom-look-like/
Tour a Fairy Kingdom??? - Laurel Decher
Yesterday, we walked for five or six hours and I got buckets of new ideas about the Fairy Kingdom.
laureldecher.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Tour a Fairy Kingdom??? https://laureldecher.com/what-does-the-fairy-kingdom-look-like/
Washerwomen Day, Rose Monday, and Carnival (Karneval) https://laureldecher.com/washerwomen-day-rose-monday-and-carnival-karneval/
Washerwomen Day, Rose Monday, and Carnival (Karneval) - Laurel Decher
Rose Monday is the crown of Germany’s Karneval in the Rhineland. In the last days before Lent, people of all ages stroll the city in gorgeous costumes. Sometimes I also run into young men dressed in convenient cow costumes with a single zipper up the front. Learn more about this colorful holiday and how you can enjoy it with your family in the Seven Kingdoms.
laureldecher.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Washerwomen Day, Rose Monday, and Carnival (Karneval) https://laureldecher.com/washerwomen-day-rose-monday-and-carnival-karneval/
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? https://laureldecher.com/whats-the-buzz-about-valentines-day/
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? - Laurel Decher
Trouble at the Valentine Factory is all about bees and cupids and what happens when they get mixed up on Valentine’s Day!
laureldecher.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? https://laureldecher.com/whats-the-buzz-about-valentines-day/
The question that moves my work forward https://laureldecher.com/the-question-that-moves-my-work-forward/
The question that moves my work forward - Laurel Decher
What’s the simplest solution?
laureldecher.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The question that moves my work forward https://laureldecher.com/the-question-that-moves-my-work-forward/
An Epic Tree https://laureldecher.com/an-epic-tree/
An Epic Tree - Laurel Decher
My husband and I went looking for a half-circle of oaks he knew from thirty years ago. (No comments from the peanut gallery ;) He said their group held hands around it because it was so big (nearly 8 meters around and 24 meters tall!). It’s gotta be old: 600-800 years!
laureldecher.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
An Epic Tree https://laureldecher.com/an-epic-tree/
Writing Gratitude Countdown (4): The Gift of Feedback https://laureldecher.com/writing-gratitude-countdown-4-the-gift-of-feedback/
Writing Gratitude Countdown (4): The Gift of Feedback - Laurel Decher
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
laureldecher.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Writing Gratitude Countdown (4): The Gift of Feedback https://laureldecher.com/writing-gratitude-countdown-4-the-gift-of-feedback/
Is the Night Train the Right Train for You? https://laureldecher.com/is-the-night-train-the-right-train-for-you/
Is the Night Train the Right Train for You? - Laurel Decher
Did you ever want to travel on a night train? When our kids were small they were enthusiastic and we haven’t lost our taste for them either. Here’s our latest adventure, comparing our experiences with French and Austrian night trains last fall. If you need something to read for the family’s next trip, you’re also in the right place.
laureldecher.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Is the Night Train the Right Train for You? https://laureldecher.com/is-the-night-train-the-right-train-for-you/
Why we need broken things: lowering the risk of creation https://laureldecher.com/why-we-need-broken-things-lowering-the-risk-of-creation/
Why we need broken things: lowering the risk of creation - Laurel Decher
Accepting imperfection is part of what makes us human. I’ve watched this video about the beauty of mistakes about five times already. I first saw it in a
laureldecher.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Why we need broken things: lowering the risk of creation https://laureldecher.com/why-we-need-broken-things-lowering-the-risk-of-creation/
AI has ALL the tools, but we can make a human choice to limit our options--that's where our creativity comes from, no? Limit Yourself https://laureldecher.com/limit-yourself/ #amwriting #amreading
Limit Yourself - Laurel Decher
A blank EtchASketch makes it pretty clear that I’ll be doodling around in squares because the drawing dot only moves in four directions, each at right angles
laureldecher.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
AI has ALL the tools, but we can make a human choice to limit our options--that's where our creativity comes from, no? Limit Yourself https://laureldecher.com/limit-yourself/ #amwriting #amreading
About Bumpity Boulevard Press https://laureldecher.com/about-bumpity-boulevard-press/
About Bumpity Boulevard Press - Laurel Decher
Bumpity Boulevard Press publishes stories of adventure and hilarity for ages 9 to 12. Have the smart kids at your house read ALL the books? They might like ours.
laureldecher.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
About Bumpity Boulevard Press https://laureldecher.com/about-bumpity-boulevard-press/
Got a young reader who feels no one is listening? They might enjoy this book for ages 9 to 12 . . . Holiday Specials for the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales https://laureldecher.com/holiday-specials-for-the-seven-kingdoms-fairy-tales/ #readinginthemiddlegrades #readmore
November 10, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Got a young reader who feels no one is listening? They might enjoy this book for ages 9 to 12 . . . Holiday Specials for the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales https://laureldecher.com/holiday-specials-for-the-seven-kingdoms-fairy-tales/ #readinginthemiddlegrades #readmore
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? https://laureldecher.com/whats-the-buzz-about-valentines-day/
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? - Laurel Decher
Trouble at the Valentine Factory is all about bees and cupids and what happens when they get mixed up on Valentine’s Day!
laureldecher.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
What’s the buzz about Valentine’s Day? https://laureldecher.com/whats-the-buzz-about-valentines-day/
Library Specials for the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales! https://laureldecher.com/library-specials-for-the-seven-kingdoms-fairy-tales/
Library Specials for the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales! - Laurel Decher
OverDrive and CloudLibrary have special offers for Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales this December.
laureldecher.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Library Specials for the Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales! https://laureldecher.com/library-specials-for-the-seven-kingdoms-fairy-tales/
Skin-colored Felt: Doing Other People’s Cultures Wrong https://laureldecher.com/skin-colored-felt-doing-other-peoples-cultures-wrong/
Skin-colored Felt: Doing Other People’s Cultures Wrong - Laurel Decher
Skin-colored felt is not easy to find, even if you know what color you’re looking for. My youngest and I are sewing figures for a Christmas nativity scene. So
laureldecher.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Skin-colored Felt: Doing Other People’s Cultures Wrong https://laureldecher.com/skin-colored-felt-doing-other-peoples-cultures-wrong/
6 ways rhythm helps us feel at home in a new world https://laureldecher.com/6-ways-rhythm-helps-us-feel-at-home-in-a-new-world/
6 ways rhythm helps us feel at home in a new world - Laurel Decher
On the weekend, I practiced a new skill and had a sudden aha! moment about learning to adapt to a new culture by finding the beat.
laureldecher.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
6 ways rhythm helps us feel at home in a new world https://laureldecher.com/6-ways-rhythm-helps-us-feel-at-home-in-a-new-world/
I can't get over the stunning (and delightfully secretive!) cover on this new release: Lynden Wade's The Tapestry Unravels: Weaving Old Tales Into New ! queensquillsquests.substack.com?utm_campaign... #amreading #coverreveal
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I can't get over the stunning (and delightfully secretive!) cover on this new release: Lynden Wade's The Tapestry Unravels: Weaving Old Tales Into New ! queensquillsquests.substack.com?utm_campaign... #amreading #coverreveal
Growing into shape: A 1,000-year-old linden tree https://laureldecher.com/how-long-does-it-take-a-1000-year-old-linden-tree/
Growing into shape: A 1,000-year-old linden tree - Laurel Decher
This 1,000 year old linden tree has such a perfect shape from the outside. A really old tree gives me a new perspective on life and how long it takes to grow
laureldecher.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Growing into shape: A 1,000-year-old linden tree https://laureldecher.com/how-long-does-it-take-a-1000-year-old-linden-tree/
The Reverse Backstory Tool Brings Your Characters to Life https://laureldecher.com/the-reverse-backstory-tool-brings-your-characters-to-life/
The Reverse Backstory Tool Brings Your Characters to Life - Laurel Decher
Angela Ackerman’s and Becca Puglisi’s Reverse Backstory Tool in THE NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS is the perfect way to jumpstart a new story or re-animate a faded
laureldecher.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The Reverse Backstory Tool Brings Your Characters to Life https://laureldecher.com/the-reverse-backstory-tool-brings-your-characters-to-life/
This is my most popular blog post of all time. Glad you liked it. #amwriting #amrevising Tame Your Revision Step-by-Step: SLICE AND LABEL with Scrivener https://laureldecher.com/tame-your-revision-step-by-step-slice-and-label-with-scrivener/
Tame Your Revision Step-by-Step: SLICE AND LABEL with Scrivener - Laurel Decher
If you’re not a Scrivener person, feel free to adapt to your tool of choice. There’s more than one way to slice and dice a manuscript! :)
laureldecher.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This is my most popular blog post of all time. Glad you liked it. #amwriting #amrevising Tame Your Revision Step-by-Step: SLICE AND LABEL with Scrivener https://laureldecher.com/tame-your-revision-step-by-step-slice-and-label-with-scrivener/
This post is my personal manifesto for why I write. Does it resonate with you? 7 Reasons Why “There’s not a moment to be lost” https://laureldecher.com/7-reasons-why-theres-not-a-moment-to-be-lost/ #amwriting #amreading #amexploring
7 Reasons Why There’s Not a Moment to be Lost on Your Creative Journey
Patrick O’Brian’s sea adventure Master and Commander is a perfect snapshot of the creative journey.
laureldecher.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This post is my personal manifesto for why I write. Does it resonate with you? 7 Reasons Why “There’s not a moment to be lost” https://laureldecher.com/7-reasons-why-theres-not-a-moment-to-be-lost/ #amwriting #amreading #amexploring