Laurie A. Jacobs

Laurie Jacobs lives in Swampscott, Massachusetts with her husband, Steven, her children, Zachary, Hannah and Sarah, and her dog, Max. She has published short stories in Cricket Magazine and two picture books with Boyds Mills Press. Before she wrote for children, she worked as a lawyer. When she is not writing, she likes to garden, to cook, to read, and to think up stories.

Questions for the Author

When did you start writing?
When I was young I told stories to my cousins and my little brother. When I grew up, I still made up stories, but kept them in my head. It wasn’t until I had children of my own that I decided to start writing my stories down. I took a course on writing for children with Ned Delaney at Salem State College and found that this was my passion.

Where do you get your ideas?
I don’t know. Some ideas come from words, others from images. Some of my stories begin with a question, like “what if...?” What if two very different creatures became friends? What if their other friends didn’t understand this strange friendship?

How long does it take for you to write a story?
It takes me a long, long time to take an idea and turn it into a story. Each story I write, even the very short stories, is revised many times. I have rarely written a sentence down and thought it was perfect from the start.

Any writing secrets you want to share?
Yes--my writing group. Thank you, Pat Collins, Lennie Strohmeier, Pat Bridgeman, Chris Jones, Chris Doyle and Donna McArdle. Your encouragement, support and insightful advice have been invaluable.