Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw is an amazing writer and illustrator and an absolutely lovely person. She sent our family a copy of her latest book to check out, and we loved it. You can win the same book HERE! Sam thought it was especially neat because one of the boys in the story is from India and says, "Namaste." (You may remember me writing about our neighbor who Sam calls "Namaste." We're now helping his daughter-in-law learn English!) Sam loved talking about what was the same and what was different, and tying that in to our neighbors. The message of the book is so sweet and peaceful, but not heavy-handed. What it succeeds best at is being entertaining, bright and enjoyable to read. I'm so glad to have it as part of our collection and love that Sam has been requesting it over and over.
I asked Jenny a few questions about being a mom and a writer and illustrator, having a personal interest in the combination myself:)
Well, since I am mostly full time with Tulsi, I spend a lot less time in my studio, and I work slower. Hee. Sometimes when I do get time, I'm drained and collapse into bed and snuggle with her. But most of the time, I find the energy because I love to create. My art life inspires me in a different way and balances my energy, mood, mind, heart...much like yoga. :)
I know the two feed each other, too. Being a mama, and watching my daughter (and her friends) grow and experience the world for the first time, also makes me experience everything new, too. Just like I collect drawers full of papers to collage with, I also collect lots of little ideas and quotes that I know will lead to stories someday. Reading books with Tulsi (or hearing her renditions) is very interesting, too. A two-year-old's innocence brings whole new interpretations from 'mis'interpretations. I love that I read SO many more children's books now (and again and again) than I ever did before! And I have an incredible library... Plus, watching Tulsi discover art, is a HUGE inspiration. It is wildly refreshing -- especially her storytelling and sound-effects that happen so naturally while she's creating!
Focused-time is the most challenging, especially for writing. We built Stage 1 of my studio this summer (6 posts, beams and a roof) so eventually I can walk ten steps out of our one-room house and be alone in my studio, but it will probably take a few years before we finish it. I know several artist-mama friends whose kids are grown now, and once again, they have ALL day in their studios. This has really relaxed me when I feel anxious with 'time' because, honestly, this is the BEST time in my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything!
What is a "normal" day like for you and how do you balance your two important roles of writer and mother?
In the mountains on our little homestead, there is no such thing as a "normal" day! I wish there was, but I also love what our way of living allows for: a LOT of family time, spontaneity, creativity, exploration, outside-time. My husband and I both work for ourselves, and we love having Tulsi at home with us, so we dance accordingly. We usually look at a week or two at a time and schedule our days. When he is traveling for work or has a busy schedule teaching or with clients, I am with Tulsi full time. When I have projects/deadlines, we schedule some "Papa time" so I can get the extra hours in that I need. Tulsi also spends a couple hours a week with our friend Connie, and while I was finishing up Same, Same but Different and a more recent book, my mom came for a week just so I could get extra time to paint! (Yay for neighbors and Grandmas!)
A typical day when Tulsi and I are on our own (probably 4/7 days a week), we roll out of bed late and into books and tea. We spend time with our dog, chickens, garden and greenhouse. In the morning, we often take a walk through the woods to Buddha's house nearby or just wander wherever she leads us. We "make things" out of paper, fabric, dough, and Tulsi helps cook EVERY meal. Mealtime is an art project she loves! After lunch, an hour or two nap is "my" time, often spent with emails and office work, organizing my studio, researching, and preparing for a job. I have found that if my studio is in order, I am really productive come night time. Of course, naps are never long enough though. :) Afternoons in this cold winter weather usually bring another tea party, dance party, hot tub and greenhouse play, more books, and cleaning and cooking dinner. Between naps and a late work-night, I can find about 5 hours in a day in my studio. When Patrick is home part of the day, I can get a couple more hours, and when he and Tulsi plan an adventure, it is a gift of an extra 5 hours. I prefer daytime to work, but mostly nights are what I can manage, so I use it.
With our kind of lifestyle it allows us both to be with Tulsi and to continue doing what we love (my art and Patrick's healing work and teaching).
Tell us about the inspiration for the book and how it evolved.
This book started with the title, "Same, Same but Different" , which is a popular, humorous saying in SE Asia, that I heard during my first trip to Thailand in 1999. Right away, I thought it would be a fun title for a children's book, but the book took years to form over two 5-month trips to Nepal and India. I wrote about how this book evolved on my blog. 
Thank you, Jenny, for sharing your thoughts and your beautiful book!
PS You can read more from Jenny in an interview I did with her a year ago!
PPS Are there any other (aspiring) writer-mamas reading this? Do you find Jenny as inspiring as I do?!
