Saturday, August 27, 2011

Jenni from Juniper's Jungle (Awesome Women)

I'm very honoured and grateful to have today's Awesome Women interviewee today to be Jenni, the lovely lady who blogs over at Juniper's Jungle. She's one of my favourite bloggers and just one of my favourite people! If you don't read her blog, you really should.

Over to you, Jenni...




Can you tell me a little something about yourself?


Hi Clover, thanks for having me! I'm Jenni and I blog over at Juniper's Jungle. I also talk telly at TV Canary.

I'm currently having a career change so I'm studying for a degree in Information and Library Studies. When I graduate I would like to work as a teen librarian, it's something I feel increasingly passionate about. I'm also beginning to pursue my dream of being a writer, I'm currently writing the first draft of a novel.

Jenni would like me to add that she is now (excitedly!) the Newsletter Editor for the hugely popular website, Novelicious. Well done, Jenni!


Did you have a role model growing up?


I don't think I did have a role model. There was no one that I looked up to and thought I want to be like her. I'm definitely the person I am because of my family, but it was more of a group influence, I couldn't say that any of them were really role models.


Who do you look up to now?


I am lucky now to have so many women who inspire me on a regular basic. One person I do really look up to is lovely YA author Keris Stainton. I love the way she decided on what she wanted to do and then made it happen. Seeing her success with one book published and one soon to be published is completely inspiring.


When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?


The first two things I wanted to be when I grew up were a librarian and a writer. Whilst this career change wasn't planned it does make me happy to think I'm finally working to realise my oldest dreams.


Tell me something about the women in your life who have been an influence on you?


My granny was a real influence on me. She was such a strong lady, she had a hard upbringing and broke away from the expectation that as the oldest daughter she would remain unwed and look after her parents in their old age. She managed her family brilliantly, and was a working mother up until her 60th birthday.

It was from my granny that I got my love for all things to do with fibre, she was a prolific knitter - she knitted wonderful multicoloured blankets and jumpers for Oxfam until she was around 90 and the arthritis in her shoulder and hand could no longer be ignored. She took a huge interest in everything I did, we lost her nearly four years ago and I still find myself thinking about how much I'd like to tell her about something I've done or show her something I've made.

My mom has also had a real influence on me. For as long as I can remember she has always maintained that there is nothing that can not be overcome. It has definitely been this that has encouraged my can do attitude.


Who is your favourite fictional character? And why?


This is a ridiculously hard question, there are just so many! If I had to pick one it would have to be Hermione Granger. I really enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books but a big part of me wished they'd come out when I was much younger, Hermione would have made school far easier for me. I was a lot like her when I was at school and I think that having her to identify with would have meant I didn't feel quite so different.



What were you like as a teenager and how did you cope with all the changes that occurred?


My teenage years were pretty rough. I didn't really have the emotion swings or anything like that, my mom often says now that she's thankful how easy both me and my brother were as teens. I did however see the bullying I experienced from primary school step up by a fair few notches and my confidence and self esteem ended up fairly well shredded. I got quieter and quieter and increasingly socially awkward as my teen years went on, I coped by reading and losing myself in books. They still remain my favourite way to cope when I find things.


If you had any advice for yourself as a teenager, what would you say?


-This too shall pass. I first came across this mantra in a book when I was in my early 20s and I've relied on it a lot since, I think the teen me would have benefited from hearing it.

-Cool is overrated, happy is the important thing.

-Don't bother lusting after that guy who has a girlfriend, they're going to stay together and get married.


Of the issues and concerns that women are faced with today, what's the area you most like reading about?


I really like reading about women finding and exploring their identity. I personally feel that it's something I'm still trying to work out, I spent a lot of years trying to be the person I thought other people wanted me to be and now I'm finally learning to be the person I want to be.


Is there anything else you'd like to add?


I'd just like to say thank you for having me, it's been great fun!

Thank you Jenni! I think bullying in schools is such a horrible experience, but one that many of us have suffered through :( 'This too shall pass' is a wonderful mantra to have. *hugs*

Please do follow Jenni's blog, Juniper's Jungle and if you would like to take part in my Awesome Women feature, please do get into contact with me.

5 comments:

  1. Fantastic post! Jenni is wonderful and I love her blog. It's great to read more about her and the amazing women who have influenced her.

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  2. Jenni, fantastic answers! I hate bullies >:(

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  3. Fantastic questions, fantastic answers and a fantastic person! I love Jenni's blog and it was really interesting to find out the other awesome women who have inspired her. Great post!

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  4. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments.

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  5. Thank you so much Jenni for taking part in this with me :) I really, really love how you are pursuing your oldest dreams at the moment! Good luck to you :) Also, so many of us have struggled with bullying :(

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HI! Thank you for leaving a comment, you've just become my new best friend :)