WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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