Lori Ries

Summer is here and so much has happened.

Our family moved, switched, houses, cities, and landscape. Now we live in the country. It's quiet, beautiful, and critter happy. The views here breathe serenity. It's inspiring, my personal writer's paradise.

Another Highlights Writing From the Heart retreat is come and gone, and already I look forward to next year. I met just some terrific writers and learned one of the writers I worked with last year, the manuscript she worked on, is going to be published. That so makes me smile. This lady author of last year is amazing.

AGGIE THE BRAVE has just been released, which is fun, and an illustrator is being chosen for THE WITCHES' BALL, a fun rhyming concept book that works with counting to twelve.

SUPER SAM is to appear in Scholastic Book Clubs which is way exciting, and PUNK WIG is starting to grow in attention. This is such an important book, and I'm working hard to bring it more visibility for families facing cancer. AGGIE GETS LOST is to be released in 2011, and I think Aggie is growing in visibility as well now that she has three books.

Also since January, I learned I'm to be a first time grandmother of a sweet baby girl, due Nov, and the mother in law of a sweet girl in February! There are joys all around on the family front and it's been a busy year thus far. Life is good.

I love new beginnings, fresh starts, new goals, new challenges, new growth.

2010 has gotten off to a great start. The year ahead feels good! (more…)

One of the most amazing opportunities I have ever had, is in being the mother of a missionary son. My eldest child, for the past two years has been with the good people of Germany. It's been a wonderful thing to share in his growth and experiences. Sunday nights, my writing time was spent writing to him, and it was sweet.

We recently returned with him back to Germany to share in the adventure! We met the people he came to love, and experienced their rich culture. Germany has an amazing history that stems far back beyond imaginings. The people are wonderful. The food is amazing. There is nothing like Germany at Christmastime. (more…)

As one chapter ends, a new one begins. This autumn starts with renewal of health, a return of a missionary son, and the marriage of a daughter. (more…)

Another "Writing From the Heart" writing retreat has come and gone and another bouquet of Red Rover Writing friends are on their way to creating great works with their time and talents.
Who are the Red Rover Writers? (more…)

Please consider supporting your local bookstores, and the publishing industry by choosing to give gifts of imagination, play, entertainment, and full on brain power fun. A gift card from the bookstore is a great gift where a child can choose his or her own book. Characters can't wait to be brought home by the child who brings them to life, and gives them a place to dwell in their heart. That's much more fun than sitting in a dark, closed book.

Sometimes a book can be a child's best friend. Please help our book industry survive this falling economy by giving books as gifts.

"She isn't even reading yet, so how can she be ready for Kindergarten?" "He hates the book the class is reading. I think he hates reading period!"

With frustrated voice, friends through the ages have asked me about their kid's readiness for literacy and or future success outlooks. I don't own a crystal ball. But most worry, I do know, is without cause. Kids grow at their own pace, and reading readiness while it can be influenced, should never be forced.
(more…)

Welcome, New Year!
(more…)

Young readers know I have a puppy. Her name is Nikita, and Nikita is a beautiful Siberian Husky. We're looking at the idea of a second husky, and while I now have huskies on the brain, I thought I'd answer the questions I get from kids about Nikita.

One of the questions I'm asked is, "Is Nikita Aggie?" (more…)