Jessica Marie is a children’s book author and longtime maker of messes. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She taught kindergarten for several years in Texas. She has two dogs and loves to do yoga and spend time outdoors. She lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite food is candy. Find out more about her books at her website.
About The Mess Monster
When Lucy can’t find her green tutu or her cash register or…anything, really, she blames the Mess Monster for her messy room. But when Mom says she can’t play soccer anymore if she doesn’t find her cleats, it’s time for drastic action: cleaning up the mess to drive the Mess Monster away.
The interview
Why do you write in the genre that you do?
Picture books and board books are the most relatable to me. They not only relate most closely to my personality, but they are fun to write! I really want to inspire and influence young children to develop empathy and build their sense of responsibility.
Do you keep a notebook of ideas?
I do not. I often have ideas and formulate an entire book instead of collecting several ideas.
Do you have a muse?
I don’t have a muse. My inspiration is my daughter. She gives me all the best ideas in her reactions to certain situations and people in our lives.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
Depending on the genre, I prefer plot-driven stories. When I read picture books, I prefer character-driven stories.
In my own books, the characters are caught in several different situations and grow in each book. The conflict in my own stories are more often the relationships between the characters thus driving their own character arc and plot.
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
Silly stories, relatable characters, and messy situations.
What are your thoughts on typewriters?
I have never used one, but I fear that it would be too heavy, and I would have issues typing on it.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
A bookstore carrying children’s books. Although being in any bookstore makes me happy. I think bookstores bring anyone a sense of whimsy and comfort going into them.
How do you name your characters?
My characters’ names are inspired by my daughter and past experiences. Take Truman in Finding my Roar: that character is based on a student I taught when I lived in Dallas.
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
JessicaMarieAuthor.com
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
I would love for The Mess Monster to be turned into a series. I imagine it like the series Peanuts, especially the episodes featuring Snoopy. The Mess Monster would be portrayed as a character that wouldn’t talk.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
Melissa McCarthy. She is very animated. I also was listening to a podcast recently, and they had used her as an example of Melissa being motherly to a young actress on a movie set. She has young children too, and I think she’s silly anyway. She would portray my book very well!
Do you try to hit a certain page or word count with each writing session?
Although I don’t try and hit a certain word count, I do write for several hours each day.
Do you have any writing rituals?
I write in the mornings between the hours of 8 and 11 am.
What are your passions/obsessions outside of writing?
I am a mom to a 10-year-old daughter, and she is my inspiration. I am also a dog mom to 3 dogs who keep me very busy. I love being outside and doing yoga. I’m attempting to cook and grill more frequently. My biggest critic, my daughter, has told me that I have a long way to go!
Have you made any public appearances to promote your book?
I have attended book fairs in Kansas and around the country. I have attended school functions and readings. My favorite event thus far has been a fair that I am a vendor at annually. It is a fall fest in a small shopping area. There are hundreds of kiddos and lots of activities.
Who would you most want to read your book, living or dead?
Her list primarily focuses on adult fiction, but children’s books are also included.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of greatest/inspirational authors?
Mo Willems: He is such a talented and funny author/illustrator.
Roald Dahl: My favorite book growing up was The BFG.
JK ROWLING: Her imaginative descriptions of the wizarding world made me believe I was a student at Hogwarts.
Bill Martin, Jr.: His books have lasted through generations.
What is your favorite bookish possession?
A copy of my first book, The Mess Monster. Having this is such a huge accomplishment for me!
Is there an idea that a non-writer has pitched to you that you have written or considered writing?
I get a lot of ideas from my daughter and her friends. They often give me ideas for the plot lines of manuscripts. When I wrote The Mess Monster in Love, I made sure name characters that were different from kids in her class.
This book focuses on the growing relationship between Lucy and Easton, at a Valentine’s Day Party, and the Mess Monster and his love interest. While choosing names that weren’t familiar to her and her friends, I didn’t embarrass anyone.
What is the most unique way that an idea for a piece of writing has come to you?
I wrote a manuscript about elephants while listening to a speech at the RISE conference in 2019. The speech, by Jen Hatmaker, really inspired me to write a story focused on the strength of female elephants.
Are you a big reader? Do you own a large collection of books, or are you more of a borrower?
My collection of books has morphed into picture books. I read more picture books than adult fiction, but usually I use Audible for books.
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
I have not gone anywhere to specifically write. However, I have traveled for conferences to New York and California.
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