Jamie Lee Curtis: From Scream Queen to Successful Children’s Book Author

Over the course of her career, Jamie Lee Curtis has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. While being hailed as the ‘Ultimate Scream Queen’ for her iconic roles in horror films like Prom Night, The Fog, Virus, and the Halloween franchise, Curtis has also made a mark as a successful children’s book author.

With a writing career spanning 46 years, Curtis has published 13 children’s books, including a graphic novel adaptation of her screenplay Mother Nature. Her latest picture book, Just One More Sleep: All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait … and Wait … and Wait, illustrated by Laura Cornell, imparts the virtue of patience to children, especially when it comes to eagerly anticipated holidays and events.

Speaking with Shondaland, Curtis reveals that she doesn’t have a master plan for her books; instead, she waits for them to come to her. One of her earlier books, Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day, was born out of a simple idea about a mood swing. Unable to crack the concept initially, a chance conversation with a friend’s brother sparked the creative breakthrough, leading to the book’s delightful rhyming narrative.

Discussing her creative process, Curtis shares that the inspiration for her books often comes from real-life situations involving children. For example, her book Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery was inspired by a moment at a children’s birthday party when a little girl innocently asked where balloons go when they float away. These serendipitous moments guide Curtis in her writing, allowing her to capture the imaginative and emotional world of children.

Despite her success as an actress and author, Curtis admits she never planned on becoming a writer. Her journey as a children’s book author has been unexpected yet fulfilling, primarily because it is driven by passion rather than financial pressure. She never sought to be an impostor or a pretentious writer; the books simply flowed out of her as she connected to the emotions and complexities of childhood.

Curtis’s ability to move readers is a testament to her authenticity and deep understanding of the human experience. While her work as an actor may influence her writing to some extent, the ultimate requirement for Curtis is that the books genuinely touch her on an emotional level. This connection ensures that her stories resonate with young readers and accurately capture the challenges and wonders of being a child.

From her debut book, When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old’s Memoir of Her Youth, to her recent release, Just One More Sleep, Jamie Lee Curtis continues to enchant readers with her heartfelt and relatable stories. Her talent as a writer shines through in each book, as she effortlessly relays the joys, fears, and discoveries of childhood, making her a beloved author for both children and parents alike.