Communication works for those who work at it. - John Powell. Lorin whose talent is evident in various notable published works has faced learning challenges from the very early stages of childhood. His love for doodling and passion for art helped him to overcome challenges and provided an unique channel for expression. Some of Lorin’s brilliant works include Wanted: Dead or Alive… But Not Stinkin’ and Me'ma and the Great Mountain. He is also the publisher of the Celtic Family Magazine and is the founder of the St. David's Day Festival-National Day of Wales. Lorin is the proud recipient of the Eisteddfod Honorary Recognition for Bardic Achievements in 2014.

What inspired you to start writing despite your reading challenges? How did you overcome those challenges?L: Ever since I was a child I relied on art as a filter for communicating. I doodled, day dreamed and acted as a class clown to cope with my disability. I was trying to hide my dyslexia and feelings of awkwardness in an attempt to fit in. I spent grades 2-4 in a special needs class and up through 9th with a tutor. I remember it was hard making friends not only because I was shuffled around a lot but also due to my living in a rural area of an otherwise cul-de-sac school district. Thankfully I had two older brothers who shared some of their time. By fifth grade I recall learning about the Old West and Native American history. My teacher Ms. Harris had a tipi in class and I volunteered to bring in some of my family's books about Native Americans to share with the class. Looking back it was likely this feeling of social acceptance and worth that started my interest in reading history, to know more. By junior high my expectations to read were at grade level but I was still struggling. It is a very vivid memory when my mother sat down with me and read such novels as 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Alice in Wonderland' and I reading back to her. My interest in the stories sparked my own imagination and yearning to write. It also inspired me to learn Lewis Carroll struggled with stuttering and L. Frank Baum had overcome his failures in acting and business. Novels however were often challenging and exhausting to read and it was in poetry like Edward Lear's 'Book of Nonsense' I saw myself improving. Something about the silly characters and rhyming helped me overcome my disability. In High School I struggled again as I did not have assistance and went back to what I relied on to fit in. My grades were low but one teacher named Mr. Kozma, who taught history, knew how passionate I was about it and wondered why I did so poorly on written tests. He asked me to be an aid for him and in this he tested me alone verbally and found I got every answer right! The only thing I can say about this, is that in written tests I have a habit of over analyzing a question.
Today I will say, professionally now I rely on a good editor in Allison Outschoorn who catches my mistakes. One example of this was in the title of my latest book 'The Dreaded Summons and Other Misplaced Bills' I first called 'A Dredged Summons and Other Misplaced Bills'. She knew I meant the former and made the correction. I admit it is still embarrassing for me and even in conversation I will say a word that does not make sense to a situation, but thankfully my circle of friends accept me for who I am and those that don't I kindly remove myself from.
I was bullied throughout life and I have been in jobs where I've been called stupid and retarded just because I think differently. I suggest anyone with a learning disability that they never put up with this and tell HR straightaway!

What power do you get as an illustrator that cannot be fulfilled by written words? What was your most challenging illustrative work?L: My illustrations enhance the written word. If I am struggling to form the picture in my head I will rely on the drawing to further tell it. I use references for illustrating when something is challenging and try to improve my technique of a particular subject with constant practice.

Which one of your works is your favorite and why?L: That's difficult to say. Each of my stories is a little part of me. I learned laughter is what can get you through the toughest times and I purposely make some of the characters so ridiculously downtrodden the reader has to laugh at the absurdity. Those around me would likely point to The Goodbye Family as my favorite as I spend most of my time writing and illustrating these characters. Their setting is the Old West and for them living in a funeral home leaves such a serious tone it could only lend itself to absurb dark humor.

What is one thing you need to keep in mind while writing books for children? How do you usually select a subject for your books?L: My books are meant for young adult readers. This is a time in life when laughter is most important as so much of teen years are so overly serious and filled with pressures that can be relieved by a laugh. If a reader can read one of my stories and say to themselves my life is not that bad then I have accomplished my task. Adults also enjoy my books for the same reasons. Those of younger age may get some of the concepts and enjoy the silly word play. Because of this I often get compared to Shel Silverstein.

How did you get the idea to come up with the comic strips The Goodbye Family and The Noodle Rut? Which is your favorite character and why?L: Good question. The Noodle Rut came from the idea of doing social commentary and satirizing contemporary times. My wife Valerie thought of it's title as we once referred to eating a Noodle Rut when we were struggling with cooking and could only prepare ourselves with a noodle dish. The Goodbye Family started after an inspiring trip to Wales and France. I took a diary to doodle and write my thoughts. I suppose Pyridine Goodbye, the matriarch, is loosely based on my wife, Otis Goodbye is myself, and Orphie their child is Berlin and our friends child Heidi (who came before our daughter). All though with a few other influences. Just like the Goodbye Family we do have a pet tarantula and Siamese cat.
Definitely Orphie Goodbye. She has the most flexibility as a character. Never is discouraged, always optimistic and has the strength of 10 men.

Who is your favorite author/illustrator? Which of his/her work has influenced you the most?L: A common question but I will mention one who should get more credit. In my library I have a panel comic book by Marvin J. Townsend called 'Ghostly Ghastly Cartoons' which stylistically was akin to the 'The Far Side' by Gary Larson but well before his time. Townsend's career spanned well over 30 years and was during the time of another favorite Charles Addams.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?L: Explore. The world is full of beauty, in both culture and the natural world. We attend a lot of cultural events, gardens, and creative outlets such as plays.

What are your other hobbies?L: I'm an avid hiker and enjoy going to historic sites to absorb the atmosphethe for my creativity. If I'm lucky I spend an hour sketching the landscape and its people.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to become an illustrator?L: People may discourage you from doodling and think it's a distraction but you should continue for your own therapy and embrace it. Take a journal with you everywhere and learn to sit and draw and not worry about what others may think of you. In time those who did not see the value in it, will! Don't give up.

Any special message for our community?L: Dyslexia never really goes away but you can learn tools in school to manage it and don't be embarrassed if you are struggling in a class to let your teachers know it is something you have and want to see if they can test you differently. In work, it may also pop up as it had in an online test I had to take for a certificate. I am hopeful more of the world will understand dyslexia and how there should be other ways of testing.
During the day I work at The Getty, one of the most important art institutions in the world, and am joyful I get to be surrounded by works of art by artists who dealt with and overcame there own struggles. I spend every second of free time writing and drawing, before work, after work and during my breaks. It is what you have to do to become successful.