Well hello, Craftonians!
Oh my stars — Episode 49 of the Happy Time Craftcast is one for the creative soul. I had the sheer delight of sitting down with one of my dearest friends and longtime partner-in-hockey-momming, the ever-brilliant Lisa M. Bolt Simons. And y’all... it was cozy, candid, and FULL of that warm, fuzzy inspiration we all crave (plus bees, of course).
If you've never met Lisa (first of all — what?!), she’s a multi-award-winning author with over 70 books under her belt. Yes, you read that right: SEVENTY. She’s written everything from middle-grade fiction to poetry, nonfiction history, and some seriously moving picture books. Oh, and she’s got seven more books on the way this year. Casual, right?
Reunited and It Felt So Dang Good
Lisa and I go waaaay back — our boys played hockey together when they were tiny, and now they’re, as we lovingly say, grown-ass men. (Still rude. Still not over it.)
Getting to reconnect and talk about the evolution of our creative lives — from those chilly bleachers to publishing shelves — was honestly magic. There were laughs, near-tears, deep dives into the creative process, and some spicy bee talk. Yes. BEES. You'll get it when you listen.
What I Learned from Lisa
-
You don’t need to plan everything to create something beautiful. Lisa calls herself a pantser — as in, flying by the seat of your pants. She lets the story unfold naturally, and there’s something SO freeing about that. Permission to not have it all figured out? I’ll take it.
-
Revisions are part of the joy. Okay, maybe not always joyful. But necessary. Lisa told me about writing 20 versions of a 300-word book. TWENTY. That’s wild and so dang relatable. Creativity is messy, folks.
-
Write what excites you — not what’s trendy. Because by the time your book hits shelves? That trend’s already out the door. Lisa’s fire comes from curiosity and (sometimes) righteous anger — especially when she discovers an overlooked woman in history. And honestly? SAME.
Bees, Tea, and Storytelling
Lisa talked about how inspiration shows up in everyday life. Whether it’s her love of honey (her kids gently tease her about how much she squirts in her tea) or stumbling across a woman who trained a WWII hero and never got credit — those tiny sparks can light up an entire book.
Moral of the story? Pay attention to what lights you up. That’s where the magic is. ✨
Favorite Quote from the Episode:
“Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes it shows up as honey. Sometimes it shows up as rage.” — Lisa M. Bolt Simons
Can I get that on a t-shirt, please?
Why You Should Listen
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the pull to create, whether you're a seasoned writer, a journaling dabbler, or just trying to find your spark again. Lisa is funny, thoughtful, and wildly wise — and the kind of friend who makes you feel braver just by being around her.
And if nothing else? You’ll leave this episode smiling, inspired, and maybe a little more in love with bees.
Until next time,
Stay cozy, stay crafty, and follow those sparks. ✨
— Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Lisa M. Bolt Simons is a multi-award-winning author, speaker, educator, and writing coach with over 70 books spanning middle-grade fiction, historical non-fiction, and heartfelt picture books. She’s also a proud twin mom and a firm believer in the healing power of storytelling. Nestled in a small Minnesota town, Lisa draws creative spark from everyday life — especially injustice, a good cup of tea, and her fascination with bees.
Follow Lisa
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 – 03:00] – Cozy May vibes + heat's still on?!
[03:01 – 10:30] – Lisa & Joleen's 20-year friendship story
[10:31 – 16:20] – 70 books & counting – Lisa’s writing career
[16:21 – 23:15] – Writing process: "pantser" vs "planner"
[23:16 – 30:00] – Writing about overlooked historical women
[30:01 – 38:00] – Finding inspiration in everything
[38:01 – 45:00] – Why trends don’t matter – Write what excites you!
[45:01 – End] – Final reflections + writing with heart
Quotes from the Episode
“If you write for the trend, it’ll be gone by the time your book comes out. Write what fascinates you.” – Lisa M. Bolt Simons
“You don’t just write because it’s easy — you write because you have to. It’s in your bones.” – Lisa M. Bolt Simons
“Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes it shows up as honey. Sometimes it shows up as rage.” – Lisa M. Bolt Simons
“Creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration — it’s about noticing what lights you up.” – Lisa M. Bolt Simons
Resources and Links:
- Lisa’s website and book list
- Story of an overlooked WWII heroine (Lisa's upcoming work!)
- Join Lisa's Writing Retreat at Big Raven Farm
Love "Happy Time Craftcast"?
👉Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help others discover our crafty community
👉Stay tuned for more Happy Time Craftcast with Joleen Emery. Subscribe now!
👉FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
👉SIGN UP FOR THE ART KIT OF THE MONTH CLUB