Books: |
BIOGRAPHY:Lindy Lorenz is a wife, mother, runner, reader, writer, teacher, adventurer, and dreamer.
When she is not running, reading, or writing, she can be found spending time with her kids and husband traveling around the country in a VW bus with a book in her hands and adventure on her mind. Wish Upon A Lantern is her first picture book. |
Eleven Questions:
Describe Your Desk:
Currently I write on a huge farmhouse table that my husband built. Usually there is a candle going and someone calling “mom” in the background. I don’t like a lot of clutter around me when I write.
We bought a new house last summer and my husband remodeled a whole room for me that we are now calling my “writing room”. He is building me an oversized desk for my room that will face beautiful bay windows so I can daydream grand ideas for stories.
We bought a new house last summer and my husband remodeled a whole room for me that we are now calling my “writing room”. He is building me an oversized desk for my room that will face beautiful bay windows so I can daydream grand ideas for stories.
What's the Story behind your latest book?
A few years ago, I worked in a school under a principal who was young, vibrant, and full of life. She, surprisingly, was diagnosed with stage 3-4 colon cancer just months after her forty-first birthday. It was devastating...she had two young children and a wonderful life ahead of her. It really hit home for me. One day she took the teaching staff out the the playground and we discussed lanterns in our life, those who are there to lead you out of place of darkness when you need it most. Together, we lit a sky lantern and watched it float to the heavens. It was at that moment, the moment the lantern seemed to kiss the clouds, that I knew I had a story. My story has morphed and changed through the course of three years; however, the core of the story has always remained the same. The sky lantern is a metaphor I used to build my story. I am thankful everyday that my former principal made it through her time of darkness, led by many lanterns in her life. She is now cancer free and continues to be a lantern for me.
What is the greatest Joy of Writing for you?
It is my goal every day to wake up and create something. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail miserably; however, I strive to be a creator each and every day. Writing gives me the opportunity to create a world, a life, a story from nothing.
What are you working on next?
Oh my….I am working on a million things at once. My dream is to publish middle grade novels and travel the country speaking as an author at schools. I love public speaking! Currently, I’m focused on a middle grade novel told from the perspective of a formerly conjoined twin. The novel is narrated in a combination of verse and prose.
What is your writing process?
It’s funny...I beat myself up about the process especially when I hear about other authors creating these wonderful timelines and detailed outlines. What works best for me is to just draft and then go back and outline. That way I shut down my inner critic and let my creator out. I also write in snippets. We are extremely busy in my household so I squeeze in little moments filled with writing.
Who are your favorite Authors?
I have so many! My favorite authors are J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Joan Bauer, Suzanne Collins, and Allie Condie. My favorite illustrators are, of course, Beth Kruziki, Mo Willems, Tom Lichtenheld, and David Catrow.
What do you read for pleasure?
I’m sure you could tell from my list of favorite authors, but I love, love, love fantasy and realistic fiction. I mostly read children’s literature. I call it research for my job as a school librarian and as a writer, but really I truly love children’s literature.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in the Midwest. We moved every few years. Moving definitely influenced my writing. I used my imagination to make up stories when I didn’t know anyone or had nothing to do.
When did you first start writing?
I vividly remember writing a story about an abused child in middle school. I won an award for that particular piece and it was the first time I really saw myself as a writer. Writing has always been an outlet for me.
Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?
There are two that truly stand out: Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Little House on the Prairie books. I loved that Harold created a whole world with a little purple crayon.
I vividly remember the day I fell in love with reading. I was lying in bed reading a chapter in the Little House books when Jack, Laura’s dog, died. I cried and cried so much that my mom stopped by my room to make sure I was okay. Those books changed me, they released the reader in me because I felt like I was part of the story; I felt like I was a part of the Ingalls family.
I vividly remember the day I fell in love with reading. I was lying in bed reading a chapter in the Little House books when Jack, Laura’s dog, died. I cried and cried so much that my mom stopped by my room to make sure I was okay. Those books changed me, they released the reader in me because I felt like I was part of the story; I felt like I was a part of the Ingalls family.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My family and friends. That each day there is a new adventure waiting to be discovered. A new day is always full of possibilities.