STARTING 2025 WITH A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Author Jennifer Barrette, creator of the GET REAL ABOUT BOOKS series, was recently interviewed and asked ten questions about the launch of her debut GET REAL ABOUT THRIVING IN 2025 book. 

1) What inspired you to write your first book?
Funny enough, the series title came to me during the chaos of 2019’s COVID lockdown. I was in the thick of writing a middle-grade series I had been nurturing for almost a decade, but the weight of grief surrounding me—friends losing loved ones, the heartbreaking losses shared in quiet conversations kept pulling at my heart. One day, mid-coffee, it hit me: we need to GET REAL about all this chaos in the world. And “GET REAL ABOUT GRIEF was born -- Real stories from real people struggling through loss. (that book will be coming out in 2025) This led to getting real about various topics.For the last four years it’s been my desire to create a series that dives into the real, raw, and relatable aspects of life—grief, divorce, thriving, health ---you name it. Fast forward a few years (and many years of writing), and Get Real About Thriving in 2025 became the perfect first launch. It's timely, hopeful, and the exact dose of inspiration I believe we all need right now. At age fifty-five, with four kids, a divorce, a remarriage, and a full life behind me, I’ve seen the chaos and beauty of this world. Now, let’s get real: I am the farthest thing from a therapist. But, if I can share a little hope and help someone thrive in their own way, it’s all worth it. Next up? Get Real about Decluttering—which I’m writing with my best friend since childhood, who happens to be a professional organizer. Stay tuned for that one, as well as others due out in 2025.

2) Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I think my love for writing started the moment I first held a crayon. Growing up surrounded by books, sketchpads, and paintbrushes, I was always either dreaming up stories or creating art. Or both. Creative Writing and Art were my jam—I even served as Creative Director for our Literary Magazine! But life took me on a winding path. My early career had me designing everything from furniture to homes and painting massive murals that brought spaces to life. Then came the plot twist: an injury grounded my ladder-climbing mural-painting adventures. Instead of wallowing, I pivoted—illustrating, then editing, and finally finding my true love: writing books. Now, as Vice President of Transmedia Entertainment, I don’t just write—I build worlds. My stories leap off the page, crossing into films, games, and more. With the Get Real About series, I’m channeling all that creative energy into self-help books that are as practical as they are heartfelt. Under Get Real About Books, my mission is simple: give people no-nonsense tools to tackle life’s challenges with confidence and maybe a little bit of magic. Whether it’s a journal, a planner, or a book, I aim to help readers find solutions—and themselves—along the way.

3) Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Absolutely! For the last decade, I’ve been crafting Middle-Grade fiction and children’s stories, sprinkled with detours into writing screenplays for films, games, and streaming series—because why not juggle a few universes at once? I thrive on multitasking. My computer is a kaleidoscope of open projects, and if one gets stuck, I just hop to the next. It's like creative whack-a-mole, but with fewer mallets and more coffee. For some time now, my focus has been on the Get Real About series, which has me diving into a few exciting categories. First, the Author and the Expert projects, where I team up with pros to bring practical wisdom to life. Then there’s my Real Stories from Real People series. This will be all about shining a spotlight on authentic voices and experiences like my Get Real About Grief book which will feature many real stories of various types of grief.
There’s never a dull moment in my life, but you’ll just have to stay tuned for what’s next. Let’s just say, whether you’re looking for inspiration, a laugh, or a nudge to tackle life head-on, Get Real About has something up its sleeve!

3) Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Absolutely! The message in this book is simple: let’s make 2025 the year we rise, not sink. My snack-sized guidebook is designed to help readers embrace thriving with practical tips, a little humor, and a lot of heart. It’s all about letting your best self shine while tackling the new year with hope and determination.

4) Who designed your book cover?
As an artist and designer—and a self-proclaimed control freak—I’ve designed almost everything myself, from book covers to websites to marketing decks. But lately, I’ve started loosening my grip (just a little) and bringing in talented collaborators to help. For my upcoming children’s picture book project, I’ve been teaming up with an incredibly gifted illustrator from Argentina. We’re blending my original artwork with his unique style, and the results are pure magic. It’s a new adventure for me, learning to let go and trust the process. Who knew thriving could mean handing over the reins every now and then?

5) What is your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre to write in? Honestly, it depends on the day! Crafting fantastical worlds for middle-grade readers is pure magic, and creating a superhero for my upcoming picture book was an absolute thrill. On the flip side, writing self-help has been deeply cathartic, like a little therapy session with my keyboard.
Add to that the adventure of building a business and balancing it all, and you’ll see why picking a single favorite genre is impossible. The truth is my answer changes daily—because every genre brings its own kind of joy!

6) Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
I’m a sucker for a good old-fashioned physical book with a beautifully designed cover. There’s nothing quite like the feel of turning pages and the satisfaction of a fully stocked bookshelf—my home is practically a library! That said, when I’m deep in the creative trenches of writing, staring at another screen or flipping pages doesn’t always appeal. Plus, I am fifty-five and my well-worn eyeballs sometimes need a break. Enter audiobooks—my saving grace! When done right, they’re an immersive treat I can take anywhere. When done poorly... let’s just say bad narration is a personal nightmare. For Get Real About Thriving in 2025, I struck gold with Kas Nixon as the narrator. Her soothing, beautiful voice brings the words to life, and I couldn’t be more excited for the Audible release. Stay tuned—it’s going to be fantastic!

7) What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is one often attributed to Abe Lincoln: 'It's not the years in your life that matter, but the life in your years.' Now, did Honest Abe actually say this? Who knows? Maybe it was his publicist. But whoever came up with it deserves a high five because it’s a brilliant reminder to live each day like it matters. So, whether it was Lincoln, a philosopher, or some guy scribbling on a napkin—thank you for the wisdom. I’ll be over here trying to squeeze a little extra life into every moment!

8) Picture this: You feel uninspired and you’ve sat at the computer for an hour without conquering any words. How do you get your creativity flowing?
This one’s easy! If you saw my office, it would all make sense. In my office I have three desks: one for writing and two for art. When my brain feels foggy, and I’ve been staring at a screen for an hour, I simply twirl my chair around—ta-da!—and start painting. I’m not often at a loss for words, but I am known to write for eight hours straight (without a lunch break) when I’m in the zone. So sometimes my brain throws in the towel. That’s my cue to pick up a paintbrush. For the past five years, I’ve been creating two kinds of art: colorful abstract paintings and abstract faces. Both are my secret weapon for easing stress, sparking creativity, and recharging for another day of storytelling. Bonus: it’s way cheaper than therapy!

9) How do you come up with names for your characters?
I have four kids and a library of baby name books! After having my first babies—twin boys—28 years ago, I couldn’t bear to part with all those name books, so they’ve piled up on my bookshelf ever since. When I’m writing fiction, I pull them out and sift through the names to find the perfect vibe for my characters. But that doesn’t mean the name sticks—oh no. For my middle-grade series, my main character went through so many name changes, I’ve lost track of all the versions! I can tell you, though, she started out as a boy on day one. So, long story short, baby name books are a great source of inspiration. And hey, that’s one perk of writing non-fiction—you don’t have to sweat over naming your characters.

10) What does being a successful author look like to you?
I’ve been writing for years, but let’s be real—I don’t feel like a successful writer just yet. Here’s the moment I’ll know I’ve made it: the day someone stops me on the street, looks me in the eye, and says, 'I loved your book! It changed my life! Your characters got me through a tough time, and I cried my eyes out.' That’ll be the day I know I’ve done my job. Until then, I’ll just keep typing away, hoping to get a little closer to that heartwarming street encounter. One chapter at a time!