Will Write for Cookies: KRISTEN FULTON plus Giveaway

Posted on May 20, 2017 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

KRISTEN FULTON

What impresses me most about this kid-lit community is the generosity of its members—especially those who have achieved success and graciously share their knowledge. I met our Will Write for Cookies guest back in 2014. I’d heard she was taking the world of nonfiction picture books by storm. And 2014 was the year I had earmarked to take classes. So, I dipped my toes into the nonfiction pool and participated in her WOW Nonficpic Week Challenge – and fell in love…with her spirit, her wealth of expertise, and writing nonfiction pbs. I registered for her June Nonfiction Archaeology class. In July, I wrote Sweet Dreams, Sarah. And received LOTS of feedback and help from Kristen and our critique group. And LOTS of agent interest (and signed with my agent) because of it. Yup, that girl knows what she is talking about.

Nonfiction picture book author Kristen Fulton is happiest wearing her favorite set of pearls and carrying a notebook into any museum or history center where she could spend hours researching. Wafting through old books or around dusty artifacts, Kristen believes that is where she will find her next story hiding. As a lifelong student, Kristen is always on an adventure to learn something new, from a foreign language to veterinary science, her love for education has given her the discipline to do the research and bring pure nonfiction stories to children with the ability to entertain.

Dear readers…this Q&A is going to knock your socks off! Please leave a comment at the end to be entered into the giveaway for a copy of LONG MAY SHE WAVE which has just launched and has already been selected as a Fall 2017 Junior Library Guild selection.

Let’s give her a big Picture Books Help Kids Soar welcome!

Kristen, thank you so much for stopping by to visit with us.

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

KRISTEN:

Believe it or not, I don’t remember any picture books from my childhood. The first book I remember my parents reading to me was The Boxcar Children. My dad had this bizarre talent, he could draw anything on an Etch a sketch. I remember him reading and then stopping to sketch out the image, such as the dog or loaf of bread. We moved up to Anne of Green Gables with etch a sketch images of carrots, slates, and lakes of shining waters. Continue reading →

Lori Richmond: Will Write for Cookies plus Giveaway

Posted on April 1, 2017 by viviankirkfield

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

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.

Catherine Bailey: Will Write for Cookies PLUS Giveaway

Posted on March 25, 2017 by viviankirkfield

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS

TODAY’S GUEST

CATHERINE BAILEY

It’s a joy for me to welcome our guest today. Catherine Bailey is a children’s author and presenter from sunny Florida. Her current books include MIND YOUR MONSTERS (Sterling Publishing, 2015), HYPNOSIS HARRY (Sky Pony Press, 2016), and LUCY LOVES SHERMAN (Sky Pony Press, 2017) – with more on the way! She has also written for popular children’s magazines such as Highlight’s Hello and Babybug. She is a frequent children’s speaker and has visited with hundreds (and hundreds, and hundreds!) of kids at schools, libraries, stores, and special events.

When Catherine is not writing, or editing, or swatting at mosquitos, she looks after her husband and two children. All three of them are quite sticky, and none like bedtime, but she loves them anyway. Her prior job titles include Lawyer (interesting), Sailboat Deckhand (fun but occasionally sea-sicky), and Cartoon Network Intern (best job ever, besides writing). Her hobbies include reading, travel, and TJ MAXX. But mostly reading.

We are so happy to have you here, Catherine!

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

CATHERINE:

My favorite author as a child was Roald Dahl and my favorite illustrator (perhaps not surprisingly) was Quentin Blake. There was – and still is today – a magic that comes from the combination of Dahl’s witty text and Blake’s expressive characters. I actually saw original Quentin Blake sketches for sale at the Palm Beach Art and Antique Show a few years back. If I ever win the lottery I’m going to go back and try and find them – LOL!

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

CATHERINE:

When I first started to write for children, I wish I knew about SCBWI. I did not learn about the organization for several months and *oh boy* did it have a lot to teach me! On the other hand, I am actually glad I did NOT know how long it takes to get published, how hard it is to write good rhyme, how everyone thinks this job is so easy, and so on. If I had been aware of all those negatives, I may have been too scared to plunge into kidlit. Of course, now it’s too late to turn back. I’m hooked!

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?

CATHERINE:

I began writing for children (officially anyway) in January 2010, right after my first daughter was born. At that time, I either wrote at the local Panera, or I wrote sitting on an ottoman that was tucked in sort of an office/closet combo. I called it my “cloffice” and it was smack in between both of daughters’ rooms. It was not ideal for concentrating, LOL! However, in 2016 we finished building a new house. I now write in my fabulous new office. I always write out manuscripts on my laptop, though if I get a random idea I will jot it down on anything I have handy (including McDonald’s bags, my hand, the back of grocery lists…)

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?

CATHERINE:

I first started writing in the middle of the night when I got up to feed my then infant daughters. It worked well for a few years (see aforementioned cloffice, located near babies’ bedrooms), but eventually my kids started sleeping through the night and I was able to start working in the daylight. Like a normal person – ha! Nowadays I try to keep office hours 9am-2pm, at least four days a week. “Try” being the key word. However my writing will usually spill over into evenings when I am close to finishing a draft of a manuscript.

ME: Why do you write for children?

CATHERINE:

I write for children because I love introducing kids to the world of reading. Books were a massive component of my youth – they taught me to be creative and curious. They made me feel excited and safe all at the same time. It may sound cheesy, but if I can do that for even a handful of kids, then I’m a success. And of course, there is the totally selfish reason – it’s SO FLIPPIN’ FUN!

Thank you, thank you, Catherine! This was wonderful. You are an inspiration! I know everyone truly appreciates how you shared your journey.

Learn more about Catherine and her work at www.catherinebaileybooks.com.

And now for one of my favorite parts of Will Write for Cookies…the treat recipe! And what a treat it is…perfect for a salty sea story, right?

SEA SALT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

CATHERINE: I really enjoy baking, as do my two daughters. (They are excellent taste testers and oven watchers!). Since my latest book, LUCY LOVES SHERMAN, is a sweet and salty story of friendship between a girl and a lobster, I picked an equally flavorful cookie for your readers. I think they will get hooked on the combination of rich chocolate and tangy, sea salt.

Ingredients:

1 ½ c flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking soda

1 stick room temperature unsalted butter

¾ c packed brown sugar

½ c sugar

¼ c powdered sugar

2 egg yolks

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

8oz bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped

Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions:

(1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

(2) Combine flour through baking soda in a bowl and set aside.

(3) In electric mixer, combine butter through powdered sugar. When those ingredients are mixed, add in egg yolks through vanilla. When those ingredients are mixed, slowly add dry ingredients until mixed.

(4) Turn off the mixer and fold in chocolate chunks.

(5) Spoon 1 ½ inch balls of dough (about 1-2 inches apart) onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Sprinkle lightly with the sea salt.

(6) Bake for 8-9 minutes, and allow a few minutes for them to set before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

WOW! These are a MUST-MAKE…and definitely a MUST-EAT!

And before we sign off, Catherine has one more thing to say:

I am so excited that LUCY LOVES SHERMAN has finally splashed out! I would like to send a signed copy of the book, a bookmark, and lobster-shaped cookie cutter, to one lucky reader.

Thanks again, Catherine! That is a very special giveaway!

So, my dear readers, please comment on this blog post (and/or on yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book review) in order to be entered into this fabulous giveaway.

I know you join me in thanking Catherine for a wonderful Q&A.

And I wish you all a beautiful weekend. Thank you all for stopping by and spending your precious time here with me.