Lois Lowry on The Giver, Writing, and a Life in Stories
Lois Lowry joins The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast to talk about the memories behind The Giver, choosing character names, and finding her way into children’s publishing.
In this conversation with Jackie Garcia-Morales and Theresa Maria Villarreal, the author of The Giver and Number the Stars reflects on a lifetime of noticing details and turning them into stories. For writers, there is plenty to take back to the page, from the questions that start a book to the small decisions that shape a character.
Watch the full Lois Lowry interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
Three ideas to take into your writing
- Give the writing itself your attention. Lois encourages writers to spend time on language, sound, and the manuscript rather than letting the search for publication take over. Listen at 51:14.
- Make revision easier to do. Lois recalls how moving from a typewriter to a word processor let her revise more freely. Reducing the practical effort of making changes can help you return to the work. Listen at 11:13.
- Draw on what you remember. Lois describes an intuitive process that draws on remembered experiences. A scene or feeling from your own life can be a place to begin. Listen at 38:45.
Our notes from the conversation. Follow the timestamps to hear each point in context.
Inside the conversation
- 1:03: Childhood reading and her first stories
- 9:08: The “what if” question behind The Giver
- 14:27: Choosing names for book characters
- 19:32: Observation, travel, and the details that enrich a book
- 21:17: Her first book and working with an editor
- 1:03:17: Why human connection keeps returning in her work
Read more about Lois on her website!
Keep exploring
For another perspective on writing for young readers, hear children’s book editor Catherine Laudone. You can also browse our podcast interviews and Educational Library.
Working on a story of your own? Explore Storyrise’s free writing studio. For upcoming interviews and writing resources, join our free newsletter.
From the conversation: noticing details
At 20:51, Lois connects observation to writing: “Heightened powers of observation have served me well because, of course, a book is enhanced by detail, and detail is absorbed through observation.”
Excerpt from the episode captions, lightly edited for readability.