Jessica Carter is a wife and a Mother of two daughters. She and her Husband are currently expecting their third child to join their family later this year. Her family also share their home in Peterborough with their loyal and lovable dog Molly.
Jessica is a Nursery Nurse, and a Drama Graduate, where she studied at University of Lincoln. She also has a love and passion for Musical Theatre, and is part of a Theatre Society called, Peterborough Operatic and Dramatic Society. Her creative and artistic mind and personality have inspired Jessica to write her first Children’s book, called ‘When I Grow Up.’ Jessica is thrilled to introduce her book to some excited readers.
Book Design and Illustration by the wonderful Happydesigner
You can connect with Jessica here!
What inspired you to start writing?
During lockdown, I was inspired to start writing. It was a very strange and scary time being in a pandemic, and the lockdowns made us appreciate the smaller things in life, which we might have before taken for granted. I focused a lot on my children and how to make their days full of fun, laughter, excitement, and also educational too. My biggest inspiration is my eldest daughter Bonnie who absolutely loves stories. Just to be able to read a story to her, and place it in her book shelf that Mummy has written would be a dream come true.
How do you handle writer's block?
When I suffer from writer's block, for me it is important to take a break. Sometimes I have ideas or phrases in my head but they don’t quite sound right yet. I write them down even if they don’t fully make sense and come back to them and hope for inspiration.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
The advice I would give to a new writer would be to let a spouse or a close friend or family read your work. I felt my confidence only started to grow once I had received a response from my Husband. His enthusiasm meant so much to me, and inspired me to work harder and push further in my book. It was also good to hear advice or be given constructive criticism.
What does success mean to you? What is your definition of success?
Holding my book in my hands would feel like success to me. To be able to read my book to children or to my daughters, and get a positive response and appreciation.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from my children. From what they love to read and how they learn and play. My book shows how, as a parent, you are your child’s biggest role model in life, so I hope my book shows how this can inspire children for their future. And also how their role play can inspire their future too.
"The key theme of my book is showing children the different jobs they can do when they are older. It shows how everyday play and routine can inspire children to be who ever they desire when they grow up. It also challenges gender-norms whilst igniting ambition in young children."
What was the highlight of writing this book?
The highlight for me was the attention to detail to the illustrations. As the book was written about my family, it was important to me that illustrations reflected this. When receiving the illustrations I was so thrilled. It made me so happy to see my house and my family inside a book.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I hope both readers who are children and readers who are parents take important messages from my book. I hope children are encouraged to be who ever they wish to be when they grow up. And I hope parents are encouraged to be excellent role models to their children. I also hope they understand that every day routine and play can influence a child’s thoughts of who they wish to be when they grow up. Therefore, it is always important to demonstrate excellent role model behaviour.
What is the significance of the title?
The title of my book is ‘When I Grow Up.’ It is important for a reader to be inspired that they can be who ever they desire when they grow up. But at the end of the book it’s also significant to understand that as a child they don’t have to decide yet, and they can pretend to be who ever they wish everyday in their play.
Who is your favourite Author and why?
My favourite children’s Author is Julia Donaldson. She has written some of the most incredible children’s books which always have a beautiful message for the readers.
What is your favourite children's book?
Monkey Puzzle - Julia Donaldson.
“Butterfly, Butterfly, can’t you see? None of these creatures look like me?”
“You never told me she looked like you!”
“Of course I didn’t! I thought you knew!”
“I didn’t know. I couldn’t! You see… None of my babies looks like me.”
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I am a Mother of two daughters and I am expecting another baby due September. I spend most of my time with my children, family and friends. I have a massive passion for musical theatre, and I am part of a musical theatre society, so I spend two evenings a week at rehearsals. Our current musical we are rehearsing for is Shrek.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I always wanted to be a singer when I grew up. All throughout my childhood and my adult life I have enjoyed performing on stage. I went to Lincoln University to study Drama and I continue to perform in a musical theatre group called Peterborough Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS). I am so grateful I can continue my passion with my wonderful PODS family.
Favourite Artist and song?
Queen- Somebody to love
