WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES
INFORMATION, INSPIRATION, INSIGHT
FOR WRITERS
TODAY’S GUEST
LORI ALEXANDER
2017 is bursting with super picture books and I’ve been thrilled to feature their authors on my blog. I’m especially happy to welcome Lori…she’s a fabulous writer and a super lovely lady.
Lori Alexander is the author of BACKHOE JOE (Harper Children’s), FAMOUSLY PHOEBE (Sterling Children’s) and the upcoming ALL IN A DROP, a biography of scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). She lives with her husband and two children under the star-filled skies of Tucson, AZ.
Welcome, Lori! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with us today. We’ll get right to the Q&A.
ME: Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?
LORI: I remember reading lots of Dr. Seuss and P.D. Eastman books. My brother and I loved Virginia Lee Burton’s MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL and KATY AND THE BIG SNOW. Arnold Lobel’s FROG AND TOAD books were favorites, too. But above all, it was CHRISTINA KATERINA AND THE BOX by Patricia Lee Gauch. Oh, how I loved the wonderful things Christina Katerina crafted with that refrigerator box: a castle, a clubhouse, a race car, a dance floor. Time and again, she rescued her creations from her tidy mother (and the garbage bin!). And when the poor box got wet and disintegrated on the front lawn, there was still a happy ending—two new boxes!
ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?
LORI: Things get easier…and more difficult. The various aspects of writing get easier as you hone your craft. I’m much more comfortable with character development, plot structure, pacing, page turns, word choice, etc. But at the same time, writing is more difficult than when I first began. I tend to self-edit too early in the process. I don’t always give my ideas a chance because right from the get-go, I’m trying to judge their marketability. When I first started out, I wrote with more freedom because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I suppose the learning never ends, no matter where you are in the process.
ME: Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?
LORI: I usually write inside at the shared family computer in our great room. Needless to say, I get more done when my kids are at school.
ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?
LORI: As the muse strikes, but mostly mid-day when the kid count is zero. I haven’t had much luck sticking with a strict writing schedule.
ME: Why do you write for children?
LORI: The challenge! Holding the attention of a classroom of kindergartners is the very best kind of tricky. And making kids laugh is addicting.
ME: Also, 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: Advice to aspiring writers! When I read interviews, this is my favorite part. I always hope a seasoned writer will spill the beans and dole out some first-rate advice that will make my next story flow from my fingertips, sell to the first editor who reads it, and rocket to the top of the bestseller list. As soon as I find that seasoned writer with the stellar advice, I’ll be sure to pass it on! J
For now: read lots of current books in your genre, hone your craft, seek out critique partners, and don’t give up no matter how many rejections you collect.
As for educators and librarians, I’ve spent a ton of time volunteering at my kids’ public elementary school, in both the classrooms and the library. The energy, care, and grace you put into your work never ceases to amaze me. Thank you! Thank you!
ME: WOW! This is fabulous, Lori! I especially love your advice to READ, JOIN CRITIQUE GROUPS, HONE YOUR CRAFT, and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
And I’m sure part of the advice you didn’t add is to keep your energy up with yummy treats, right Lori? I’m a fan of the recipe you are sharing…it’s perfect to prepare with kids!
LORI: Although this is not a cookie recipe, it’s our go-to when we want a quick, sweet treat (and it’s been a hit at school bake sales). We call them something different each time we make a batch. In this case…
Famously Phoebe’s Star Bars
6 cups crisp rice cereal
1 bag mini marshmallows
3 bags white chocolate chips
1 bag mini chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter (almond butter would work, too, if allergies are a concern)
Melt the white chocolate chips over low heat. Stir in peanut butter. Remove from heat and add rice cereal. Stir gently. Then stir in mini marshmallows (they don’t need to melt) and half bag of mini chocolate chips. Line rimmed cookie sheet with parchment. Pour mixture onto cookie sheet and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle top with remaining mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate for about an hour. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Dear friends, you can find out more about Lori on her website at lorialexanderbooks.com or follow her on Twitter at @LoriJAlexander
And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of FAMOUSLY PHOEBE.
Have a wonderful weekend! I’m behind on awarding our giveaways, so next Friday, I’ll be announcing the ones from the last three posts.
Great advice! “READ, JOIN CRITIQUE GROUPS, HONE YOUR CRAFT, and NEVER GIVE UP!!!!” Looking forward to meeting Phoebe!
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Thanks for stopping by, Julie. Yes, I love those steps to success…Lori is spot on!
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Thanks, Julie. You’re a star!
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Great interview, Vivian and Lori! I’m excited to get my copy of Famously Phoebe.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, Katey! And you will love Phoebe!
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Much appreciated, Katey!
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Thanks for sharing, Vivian and Lori! I strongly agree – “I suppose the learning never ends, no matter where you are in the process.”
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Oh, you are so right, Manju. In fact, the more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn more. 😉
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Agreed! Good luck with your writing, Manju!
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I hope I win a copy of this delightful book! Thanks for introducing me to Lori and her books.
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It’s definitely a great prize, Barbara…you are entered. And I’m so glad you stopped by to visit.
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Thanks for posting, Barbara!
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Wonderful interview, Lori and Vivian! Yes, “Things get easier…and more difficult.”
I’m already a long time Lori Alexander fan! BACKHOE JOE is part of my personal collection. I’m looking forward to reading her newest. : )
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That is so true, Sarah…the more I learn, the more I realize how important it is to make the story as strong and as unique as I can…and that I can’t be satisfied until it is the best it can be.
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Thanks, Sarah! And I’m looking forward to yours!
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Congratulations, Lori, on Phoebe. She looks like great fun. I agree that writing always gets easier and harder, but I focus on the easier for sanity.
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Hahaha…yes, it’s very important to stay sane, David! And that’s one of the reasons it’s so important to have support and encouragement from critique groups and the kidlit community.
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Ha! I’ll have to remember that, David. Good luck with your writing projects.
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I love your writing area. I wish mine was as neat as yours! Your pool area looks like a great place to write as well. You’ve inspired me not only from your Famously Phoebe book but from your advice to “Never give up!”
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Good for you, Lily! I was watching the #PBSummit conference today and that was exactly the same message many of the presenters gave. NEVER GIVE UP…one of them was saying he had a manuscript that he tried to sell for 15 years…and he finally sold it.
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Keep at it Lily. There’s some quote about published writers not necessarily being the best writers, but they are the ones who didn’t give up. Love that!
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Congratulations, Lori! Can’t wait to read your Famously Phoebe as I read how it came about a while ago.
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I hope you get to read the book soon, Hope. It’s lots of fun!
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Thanks so much, Hope!
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Thanks for the interview and I laughed when I read the hope that the author would spill the beans and reveal the secret to success. This is usually my favorite part of the post too.
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I know, Danielle…we are all wanting that magic formula…that secred code…but I think it is determination and tenacity that results in success. We all just need to stick in there and it will happen. 😉
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It will happen. I feel like my road to publication story is a boring one. I just wrote and queried the old fashioned way. But it works!
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THANK YOU………..I NEED TO HEAR, NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Totally, Emmie! And THANK YOU for stopping by. Glad you got to hear the battle cry!
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Yay, Emmie! Good luck to you!
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Great interview! I love the advice (never give up!) – and the recipe. Wondering if sunflower nut butter would work as a tree/peanut substitute.
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OH YES! I love sunflower nut butter…I use it all the time. I’ll bet that would be a great substitute.
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We just made a batch with almond butter and they were yummy. I bet sunflower would work well!
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What a fabulous Famously Lori Alexander interview and blog post! And a sweet recipe to boot! Thanks.
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Thanks so much, Lynn!
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Congratulations, Lori, for being a published author! (BTW, I have the same chairs!)
Vivian, you find such interesting authors. Thank you!
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When Vivian asked for a pic of my workspace, I had to stall. It was a mess! Thanks for the kind words, Mary!
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