A native of Montreal and now living in Dieppe, she moved with her parents to Jolicure in 1969 and recalls why the switch was made from big city life to rural New Brunswick.
"My parents (Lorne and Jo Anne Bell) had both gone to Mount Allison University; my brothers and sisters had gone there and my grandparents went to Mount Allison, so there was a lot of connections with Sackville -- and Mount Allison in particular.
"I did not go to Mount Allison. I worked there for a couple of years, but I went to the New Brunswick Craft School in the early '70s instead."
Living on a farm in Jolicure, of course, meant barn cats, and it wasn't long before those felines made their way to the big house and became personal pets. Lorrie was inspired over time by these several cats, and captured them in a story for her mother. The subject matter, with a few additions, eventually became her fourth book -- Jolicure Cats.
"By 1979, the original nine cats had either died or disappeared, being rural cats. So I wrote a little book for my mother (My Mother's 9 Cats) and gave it to her. She loved it. It was just one copy, and I left it at that. Then about two years ago I lost a cat of mine (Smudge) that I was very close to, and I started to write her story. I realized that I would bring that manuscript (My Mother's 9 Cats) back to life and add other cats that we'd had since that time, and just tell their stories."
A silversmith (she only dabbles now) and an active weaver, writing has also long been an interest for Lorrie. Retired for eight years now from the family business (she and David have Percheron Press), she's pursuing her writing career with gusto. The recently launched Jolicure Cats is evidence of that, and it's been well received.
"I'm very happy with it," she says. "The illustrations are incredible.
"The illustrator is Dwight Kirkland, and he did a fabulous job. I think we're both proud of the result. Goose Lane (Editions) did a wonderful job.
"They did the design work for it and printing ... and I'm really happy with the way it came out. It's exciting."
To her credit also are Rabbit Dreams; a family cookbook entitled Nutty Green Beans, and a poetry collection -- Moving Poems. She's currently working on a collection of short stories, and future plans include expanding Rabbit Dreams to a "full children's format."
"Reasonably laid back," Lorrie enjoys life -- including family: step-daughters Britt, Erin and Michelle, and granddaughter, Grace. She also horseback rides on her 22 year-old quarterhorse, High, and has one cat, Minou. She likes the arts, outdoor activities, flower gardening and doing intricate bead work.
Writing for Lorrie Bell Hawkins is also the realization of her heart's desire, and a most satisfying experience.
"I enjoy the craft of writing. When people enjoy your stories," she says, "that's always rewarding."
From 15 Minutes of Fame, Moncton Times & Transcript, Monday, October 19 2009, by Linda Hersey
