Interview with Lorie Ann Grover

Lorie Ann Grover is the author of Hold Me Tight, Loose Threads, On Pointe, and many others, as well as an illustrator.


How did you get involved in writing?


I've always written to get my emotions out. I find it so helpful to put them down on paper. I didn't turn to writing as a career until after college though. I was frustrated everyone was interpreting my art work differently than I intended. I decided words were the best choice for me!


In addition to being a writer, you are also an illustrator for children's books. Is there one profession you enjoy more? What do you like about being both?


It would be sad to have to choose one! Although I illustrate less now that I have rheumatoid arthritis. A board book is about as large a project as I can illustrate. I love bouncing from difficult writing topics to lighthearted sketches. Both refresh my soul.



What inspires you?


My daughters and other great works of literature! Nature frequently stirs me to create.


Why do you choose to write your novels in verse?


That came from my jump from picture books to novel writing. Loose Threads was originally a picture book! My editor asked me to expand it to a novel in the very same form. And what a surprise: the verse format really fit my voice!


Do you often connect your story characters to people in real life?


Oh, yes. All my main characters so far are me. Side characters are all based on family and friends. Many carry their own names! In Hold Me Tight, there is the character who is kidnapped. That truly happened to Chris who sat right in front of me in fifth grade. All the ladies of Loose Threads are my family.



The theme of "doing things for yourself" comes up a lot in On Pointe. When you started writing the book, did you have this particular message in mind?


No, I didn't! But it's interesting to hear. My thought for On Pointe was to share that sometimes dream do end for reasons we can't control. And then we can get back up and dream again!


Family is an important aspect of most of your books. What does your family mean to you?



Family! Family is how we are here and often the focus of the majority of our lives. Life without family would be so difficult. Here's to those we are blessed with and those we create!



Is there anything you're currently working on?


Yes! I have a verse novel being presented to houses right now. It springs from my year in Korea. I'm finishing final tweaks on my first work in prose. It's a fantasy. And my journal is absolutely chubby with board book ideas. Yay! Of course, I spend much time working with readergirlz and readertotz. I love them both much.


Thank you for the great interview, Priya!


Thank you so much, Lorie Ann!