Lori Richmond: Will Write for Cookies plus Giveaway

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WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

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LORI RICHMOND

 Lori Richmond is a corporate creative director turned picture book maker. She is the author-illustrator of PAX AND BLUE (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books) and BUNNY’S STAYCATION (Scholastic), which debuts in 2018. Lori is also the illustrator of A HOP IS UP (Bloomsbury) and two more picture books coming in 2018. As a former contributing editor and spokesperson for leading pregnancy and parenting brand, The Bump, Lori has appeared as an expert on TODAY, Good Morning America, CNN, and more. She lives and creates with her family in Brooklyn, NY. Learn more about Lori at www.LoriDraws.com

 I met up with Lori here and there around kid-lit-land…but really got to know her when we both joined up with the 2017 debut picture book author group, Picture the Books. 

And even though my debut picture book, Sweet Dreams, Sarah, has been pushed to next year, they are still letting me hang out with them.

 Which is a really good thing, because I like them all so much!

 book cover

Just a reminder that Lori has graciously agreed to do a giveaway of a copy of PAX AND BLUE. I reviewed it yesterday. Make sure you leave a comment below. And if you haven’t already joined my email list, please click on the sidebar logo. I promise not to send you any junk…just good stuff.

 And now, let’s welcome our guest, author/illustrator Lori Richmond!

 ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

 LORI:

I have early memories of staring for hours at the work of Steven Kellogg — especially his book TALLYHO, PINKERTON! I was so amazed by all the detail in his line work. I also loved Shel Silverstein’s books, which I would always read while visiting my aunt’s house. As I got older, I was really into the Nancy Drew mysteries and, of course, Sweet Valley High!

ME: What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing for children?

LORI:

I’m new to writing, so I feel like I haven’t earned enough stripes yet to confidently answer this question. Writing is hard! You have to give it time. Your first drafts will be truly awful, and you have to push through it to get to the good stuff. Find people that you trust to give you feedback, and don’t take anything personally.

reading to kids

ME: Where do you like to write/draw – inside, outside, a special area in your home, on the computer, in a notebook? And when do you find time to write?

LORI:

I’m still looking for the best spot! I’ve done all of the above, with mixed results.

ME: When during the day (or night) are you most productive? Do you set a schedule for working or do you write/draw when the muse speaks?

LORI:

This is another one I am still figuring out. I am in a shared studio space called Friends Work Here that has a ton of beautiful natural light. I think my best creative time tends to be in the morning, so I try to plan my day so that drawing and writing is done in the first half of the day, and I save other tasks for later on. But I do have the Evernote app on both my laptop and my phone, so whenever an idea strikes I can quickly jot it down and save it.

workspace

ME: Why do you write for children?

LORI:

Young readers are introduced to different kinds of writing and art for the first time through picture books, and reading picture books can start a lifelong love of literature and art for a child. How incredibly special to be a part of that. I feel extremely fortunate to be creating books, and I hope that my work inspires even just one child.

reading with kids 2

ME: Lori, if you have any thoughts or advice for aspiring writers, please share. As well as anything else you want to talk about that parents, educators, writers, librarians might want to hear.

LORI:

For aspiring writers doing this as a second, third, or even fourth career, it is never too late! I started writing and illustrating picture books when I was 20+ years into my career as a corporate Creative Director. With kids and life and everything else, you really have to make an effort to put in the time — and it’s not always easy. Just do what you can, and be consistent in your practice. It will pay off!

To educators and librarians, thank you for all that you do. You are heroes!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, LORI! I AGREE WITH YOU 100% about educators and librarians being heroes! And also about it never being too late…look at me!!!! I didn’t really get serious about writing picture books until 5 years ago.

You can visit Lori at www.LoriDraws.com

 And now for one of my favorite parts of Will Write for Cookies…the treat recipe!

Lori says,

As for the cookie — I am NOT a cook so I can’t provide a recipe. 🙂  But my favorites are homemade Rice Krispie Treats and Girl Scout Thin Mints (in the refrigerator.)

I thought about what recipe we could give you all, dear readers. And guess what? I found a Rice Krispie Treat recipe on the Kellogg’s website that is PERFECT for next month!

HIDDEN SURPRISES RICE KRISPIE TREAT EASTER EGGS

kicfileasset-100904_rk_hiddensurpriseeastereggtreats_3

https://www.ricekrispies.com/en_US/recipes/hidden-surprise-easter-egg-treats-recipe.htmlHidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats™

Give these Easter egg-shaped goodies a shake to hear the tasty surprise inside – M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies!

Prep Time: 20 min

Total Time: 40 min

Servings: 12

NUTRITION INFO

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoonsbutter or margarine
  • 1 package (10 oz., about 40)JET-PUFFED Marshmallows
  • OR
  • 4 cupsJET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
  • 6 cupsKellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal
  • 1/2 cupM&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies
  • Canned frosting or decorating gel (optional)
  • 12Plastic snap-apart 3 x 2-in Easter eggs

Directions

  1. Clean, then coat inside of plastic eggs with cooking spray. Set aside.2. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add JET-PUFFED Marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

    3. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

    4. Using greased hands, firmly press 1/4 cup of the cereal mixture into each plastic egg half. Use fingers to make hollow center in each half. Remove from molds. Place on wax paper. Cool slightly.

    5. Place about 6 M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies in one half of each egg. Gently press two halves of each egg together until they stick. Cool completely.

    6. Decorate with frosting and additional M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies (if desired). Best if served the same day.

    MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:Follow step 1 above. In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 3 through 6 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

    Notes:
    For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

    1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.

    Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

    Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container.

WOW! Aren’t these perfect?

Let’s all give Lori a big round of applause! As a writer, I also love getting the inside peek into the perspective of someone who also illustrates!

And please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway for a copy of PAX AND BLUE.

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Have a beautiful weekend…and Happy April Fool’s Day, dear friends.

90 thoughts on “Lori Richmond: Will Write for Cookies plus Giveaway”

  6. I love the illustrations for this book and the title! Can’t wait to read it. I’m a big Shel Silverstein fan too…
    If you’re a bird be an early bird
    and catch the worm
    for your breakfast plate.
    If you’re a bird be an early, early bird
    But if you’re a worm sleep late.

    such wise words 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks for your note, Deborah. We women have so much pressure on us, don’t we? I was still working in my corporate job full-time when I started writing the books — now I am full-time freelance, still doing design work, too. Flexible schedule is great — BUT — my husband travels significantly for work. Significantly. So, I’m holding down the fort with my two young kids which isn’t easy, either. Can’t win… we just have to stay true to our artistic practice by any means necessary!

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  12. This is one of the most honest interviews I’ve read in a long time. To have someone say “I haven’t figured that out yet” is refreshing. We tend to think that once someone is a published author they have EVERYTHING figured out. Obviously, Lori has the craft of writing and illustration figured out. I mean, look at that spread. Pax and Blue looks great. But that she still is trying to figure out the best writing spot and most productive time of day…I guess we all figure those things out at our own pace. For me, my best writing time is late at night when my husband and daughter are fast asleep. Silence and no interruptions does the trick for me. But I, too, don’t always write in the same spot or in the same way. Sometimes I write with pen and paper and other times on the laptop.

    I can’t wait to read Pax and Blue.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • PREACH, LINDA. There is so much pressure, especially online, to show the “curate life” and how everything just works out great! I would say that 98% of the time I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, and the other 2% comes out of all the hard work! Thanks for the compliments on the spread — I feel that my design background helps me a lot when I think about how I’ll create art for a book.

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    • So happy you got value out of the Q&A, Linda. Yes, it amazes me also…when I hear multi published authors doubting themselves, wondering if they will get another book deal, trying to crack the code of picture book writing. I agree that it is comforting to know that others feel the same way we do. 😉

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  13. Thanks for the great interview! As a a teacher for over twenty years I appreciate your perspective Lori. I agree that we do our best and find time while waiting for basketball practice to finish, in the hall outside of choir rehursal and while running car pool to scouts and golf matches. Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Thanks for introducing me to Lori and her book Pax and Blue, Vivian. I love the look of her shared studio space Friends Work Here. It sounds so welcoming, friendly, and respectful.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. I agree with Lori’s advice to start writing regardless of the time of your life. I am a career banker and enjoy the dual career as a writer. The time i spend creating vs crunching numbers is so special. Thanks for sharing Lori and Vivian.

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Thank you so much for your honest thoughts regarding your writing journey.The most insightful was knowing you have not figured it all out just because you are published. AND THAT IS IS NEVER TOO LATE … LOVE IT! I am excited about placing your book in our classroom’s reading lab. My students love it when I tell them, “Oh I met so and so online and here is her book I brought to share with you.”

    Oh, and thanks for the evernote tip. Lady Vivian, You Rock, chica! Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  24. Steven Kellogg! YES! I loved his books as a kid. In fact, the first book I ever read was by him. I still see him producing things from time to time, but not to the extent that he was when I was young. LOVE his work!

    Liked by 1 person

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  26. Thank you both for a great interview. I think that being a later-in-life-several-careers-in writer is an advantage. So much more life to draw from.

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. I found this post super-inspiring! With the advice for aspiring writers to hang in there, even if this is a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th career, I felt a particular connection because I too left a corporate career to write picture books. Thanks for sharing the motivational words and showing the lovely images!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Good for you, Meli! It takes courage to step away from the safe known and leap into the unknown. So glad you leap this way and follow these interviews…it’s really comforting to read how successful authors have the same doubts and scaled the same obstacles. 😉

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  29. Interviews are so fun to read/hear. I love getting to know the personal side of an author and what they think. One thing I am grateful for is to read author after author says that it is not easy and that always encourages me when I am discouraged! I think I’m going to start thinking — who cares just write! You love doing it!

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