Indie Book Butler: Today we are joined by Jessica Nielsen, author of So You’re Not Supermom….It’s OK!: Rants of a foul-mouthed mom.

IBB: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m born and raised in the British Columbia Kootenays now residing in Alberta, Canada. I am a mother of seven kids, two of whom are special needs and one is my stepson. I am a certified Health Care Aide and possess a diploma in Travel and Tourism.

IBB: How did your book come about? Was it always your dream to write about parenting?

Honestly no, I never thought I would write the stories I have. It came about after a knee injury that required surgery. My children literally took over the house and I was limited to what I could about it. So, my outlet became writing about all the mess parenting can be. A year later I required a second knee surgery, being stuck unable to do anything again I took it as a sign I had to share my words.

IBB: You’ve got twenty words to tempt us to read your book. What would you say?

Parenting is not all sunshine and rainbows, you never struggle alone, we all struggle.

IBB: Are there any little snippets from the book you can share with our readers?

This is a mid-rant snippet from Ahhhhhh Silence with the words of wisdom that end this specific one.

“I’ve ignored the fact they are quiet and I have completely lost my shit after I finally pulled my big ass up to find out what they were doing.
Who knew in one day a 3-year-old could accomplish all these:
1. A banana peel shoved through a small hole in the arm of a couch!
2. Ripped up an entire roll of toilet paper! Thrown all over the house
3. I go outside for a smoke to come back in to my child locked in the bathroom with the dog in the tub…he was shoving the dogs head into a cup of water!
4. Plugging the toilet with a whole roll of toilet paper and floods the bathroom
5. Empties the entire toilet bowl all over the bathroom and splashes around in it!
Yes, this happened!”
Words of Wisdom
Silence can be the saviour
Or it can be the enemy

IBB: Do have a favorite section of the book?

Oh, this is a hard one, I am biased to the entire book of course but if I really had to pick a favourite section of volume one it would be the introduction to my inspirations known as my seven dwarfs.

IBB: Were there any rants too foul-mouthed to make the final book?

This is a matter of perception; I personally do not believe so. However, if you are a person who is not keen on swear words the answer would be every rant.

IBB: What was the hardest part about the whole process, from ideas to publishing?

Publishing was definitely the hardest part, now even harder though is the marketing, getting it out there, trying to make sales etc. The ideas and writing came easily to me.

IBB: What do you want to achieve most from the book?

I would have to say the thing I want to achieve most is to let parents know that even though many of us hide our struggles we all have them. Kids do not come with a manual it is all trial and error and even the days we feel like failures we have done something right.

IBB: Do you have a favorite review or piece of feedback you have received from a reader?

“This book is a raw look at the reality of parenting. No filters, just the unglamorous truth. As parents or step parents, we all have these moments, and this book will make you feel like you are not alone in your daily struggles.” Hayley Walsh

IBB: Where do you like to write?

I spend most of my time writing from my couch, smack dab in the middle of all the chaos.

IBB: Is there anything you must have in order to write?

Noise. Sounds weird, but my life is not ordinarily quiet, and I cannot write without some sort of background noise.

IBB: What books have influenced you most, both as a person and as an author?

Honestly, I do not read a lot, I am not usually able to find time to do it with the kids and work. I try to find my influences from those around me, everyday life and things people have to share.

IBB: What is the one thing that has helped you develop most as an author?

Feedback, it really is crucial to have to continue to grow as an author.

IBB: Is there something specific you do to improve your writing?

Practice, a lot of practice. I do this by entering small contests, publications or anything that can spark a little creative writing.

IBB: If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

Everything a person writes is worth it. You just have to find your audience.

IBB: What does your writing future hold for you?

I have no idea, but right now I am in love with it.

IBB: How have you set about the task of creating enticing cover art?

I try to find the overall ground of the story and take forever to do cover art. I will most likely source out to a designer at some point.

IBB: How often do you read? What genre?

Not often enough. I am a fan of non-fiction, I enjoy learning and understanding others opinions on subjects.

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Best of luck in the future.