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
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
- 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.
What a fun interview. Thanks to you both.
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Thanks for stopping by, Johnell. Glad you enjoyed it! I’m excited to try those Easter Egg treats. 🙂
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Thank you, Johnell!
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Great looking book. Love the inspiring interview.
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Lovely to meet you here, Brenda! And I’m happy you enjoyed the interview. Hope you get to read Pax and Blue…it is really wonderful. 😉
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I’ll look for it. 🙂
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Thanks, Brenda!
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My pleasure!
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Great interview. I’m looking forward to reading Pax & Blue.
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Thank you, Maria. They look forward to you reading the book too 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed the Q&A, Maria…if you don’t get the book by the time you come later this month, you can read my copy. 😉
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Lovely inspiring interview ladies, thank you. I agree the writing is hard but I am glad I now have more hours in the day to revise. Love those Rice bubble eggs. Gonna try making some this weekend. 🙂
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Diane, please share your secret on how to get more hours in the day!
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How fun! Let me know how they come out if you make them, Diane. And yes, isn’t retirement amazing…my grandson who is 8 wants to know when can he retire…he says that grammy is very lucky. 😉 And I agree with him. 😉
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Thanks for the interview. I agree, writing is hard, and you’re never too old to write for kids!!!
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Mona, it is SO hard, but also so rewarding!
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Yes, ma’am…NEVER too old to write for kids. 😉 You are speaking the truth, Mona!
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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 🙂
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Our favorite Shel is Mrs. McTwitter the Babysitter!
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I’ll have to look that one up. Sara Cynthia Sylvia Stout wouldn’t take the garbage out and Jessica Jett Turned into the TV Set (i think it’s Jonathon but my daughter watched a lot of TV so I put her name in and have forgotten what it really was).
We would laugh so much reading those poems together. And the Giving Tree was spectacular! Always made me cry.
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Ohhh The Giving Tree. Amazing and timeless. Please look up Mrs. McTwitter, very short but it does not disappoint.
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Oh that was funny! I don’t remember reading that before. Thanks for the introduction to Mrs. McTwitter 🙂
And I wish you much success with your new book.
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Thanks so much, Vicki, for giving us a little Shel…you can never go wrong with his words. 🙂
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Hi, Lori! I’m looking forward to reading PAX AND BLUE. Your cover art draws me in and the sneak peek of a layout makes me eager to turn the page. Thanks for sharing!
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Hello Manju! Thank you so much for your kind words.
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Isn’t the color palette of PAX AND BLUE so appealing, Manju? I think that is what drew me in right away. So calming. 😉
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Lovely interview and writing tip! Those eggs look so much fun!
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Thank you, Tina!
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Thanks for stopping by, Tina…I agree…the eggs look like lots of fun to make and put in Easter baskets. 😉
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I love the cover too! Thanks for sharing, Vivian & congrats to you, Lori!!
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Thank you, Maria! I always had a clear vision for the cover, and my editor was totally on board. I’m lucky!
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It’s a really special cover, Maria…equally appealing but so very different from your Coyote Moon, which I absolutely adore also. 😉
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Sounds like a great book and a fun recipe. Thanks for sharing with us.
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Thanks, Janet!
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You are so welcome, Janet! Thank you for spending time with us. 😉
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Good for you, Lori! I agree, it’s never too late. I think women can have it all–just not necessarily all at once! Raising and reading to five kids gave me great experience, and now I finally have time to write.
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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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Not all at once…I love that, Deborah! I’m always taking my hat off to all the women here who write and have another job and a family to take care of. It’s a juggling act for sure. 😉
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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.
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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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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!
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Exactly. And sometimes my kids are glued to their iPads for hours because it is simply the only way I can get something done.
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You are right, Mary. We;ve got to go easy on ourselves – when juggling home, family, job…we carve out the writing time that we can…and pat ourselves on the back…instead of beating ourselves up!
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“Eggcelent” interview. Always great to hear from Lori! Love the illustrations in A Hop Is Up!
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Thank you, Maria!! Keep hoppin!!
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Thanks for stopping by,Maria…glad you enjoyed Lori’s Q&A. 😉
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I’m so jealous of the author/illustrators. What a benefit to be able to completely craft the story in your head. Thanks for the interview!
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I’m jealous of you writers. Writing is so hard for me!
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I know, right? I watch illustrators make quick sketches in a minutes or two…and I know that even if I worked for hours, Stephanie, i couldn’t make my drawings look half as good.:)
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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.
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Thanks, Norah! I love being at Friends. We have a good energy here.
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Friends Work Here…that does sound lovely, Norah…sometimes the group energy can produce great things. 😉
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Synergy! Love it!
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Love reading about a second career author! Book looks great!
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Maybe I’ll even have a third career! We’ll see! 🙂
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So lovely to meet you here, Ona! Writing is definitely not my first career either…probably the 3rd or 4th. 😉
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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.
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Always fun to meet another Laurie/Lori. I bet your number-crunching pays the bills… respect it as the thing that allows you that creative time. I highly recommend day jobs!
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That is fascinating, Laurie! I am going to keep my eyes out for a book or two from you about crunching numbers. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Pax and a Blue looks delightful! I look forward to reading it. Thank you, Vivian and Lori, for a fun and encouraging interview. It was nice to hear you say it’s never too late!
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Thank you, Becky!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, Becky! And I loved hearing Lori say that also…there are many who come to writing later in life…all you need is persistance, passion, and patience. 😉
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Great interview, Lori & Vivian. As someone who has lost count of which career I’m currently pursuing, I love your recognition that it’s “never too late.”
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Imagine having only ONE career? How boring. 😉
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There are a whole bunch of us ‘never-too-lates’ Pat! Hip hip hooray for us!!!!
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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.
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Hi Pamela! No it is NEVER too late. As long as we are upright and breathing, it means we can still make it happen. I’m so honored that you’ll be putting my book in your reading lab! ❤ Thank you.
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Always there for you, Pamela! And I’m thrilled you will place PAX AND BLUE in your classroom reading lab…that is awesome!
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Great interview and intriguing title. So interesting.
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Thanks, Jill!
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The title is intriguing, Jill…also the color palette…so different from most picture books!
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THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank YOU, Emmie!
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Nice to meet you, Emmie! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
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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!
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I wish I had the patience to create art like Steven’s. Always amazed me!
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Yup, Steven Kellogg has been around for a long time, Jena…which is inspiring also. 😉
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I agree. His work hasn’t stopped. It’s nice to see a picture book artist with staying power. =D
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What fun! Thanks for sharing your days and tips with us!
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Thanks for reading, Angie!
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Glad you enjoyed the tips, Angie…it’s one of the things I love most about the Will Write for Cookies Q&A’s…I always takeaway at least one gem that inspires me or helps me. 😉
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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.
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Glad you think that way, David. In that case, I should be all set…SO much more life to draw from. 😉 😉 Glad you enjoyed the interview!
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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!
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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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I love the cover of this charmer of a book and can’t wait to meet Pax and Blue and share them with the little people in my life.
Lori, you are so right. It is never too late to pursue your dreams!
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Isn’t the cover amazing, Gretchen? It drew me in right away. I’m glad Lori’s words struck a chord with you. 🙂
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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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So true, Kathy! We all do get discouraged…and that’s what so great, I think, about our kid lit community. There is always someone there to lift us up. 😉
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