Jenny Slate, the acclaimed comedian, actress, and writer, opens up about her latest book, Lifeform, and how motherhood has profoundly shaped her life and creativity. The 42-year-old mother of one shares daughter Ida Lupine Shattuck with her husband, Ben Shattuck, and reveals how juggling parenting and her career has led to both personal growth and creative breakthroughs.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Slate delved into the process of writing Lifeform, a collection of essays that explore the surreal and often messy experience of being human, particularly as a mother. Released on October 22, 2024, the book marks Slate’s second literary effort following her 2019 bestseller Little Weirds. Despite her success, she describes the writing process as “climbing a mountain” while navigating the demands of parenthood.

“I’m proud of the way I’ve grown as a person, but I’m also just really grateful that I managed to get it down into this archive,” Slate explains. She credits the support of her mother-in-law, Dedee, and her nanny, Jen, for helping her carve out the time to write amidst her busy schedule.

A self-proclaimed “morning writer,” Slate leaned into early hours to find a rhythm that worked for her family, often writing in bed with the comforting sounds of her daughter in the background. “I really like hearing my daughter in the house,” she shares. “I’m not somebody that needs total silence, and I don’t really like being alone.”

Slate also candidly discusses how her ADHD influenced her writing style. Rather than being discouraged by her need for frequent breaks, she embraced it, working in short bursts until she could gradually build longer blocks of focus. “Everything was done in bursts,” she says, describing how the book came together piece by piece.

Now, with Lifeform completed, Slate is entering what she calls her “nesting phase.” She finds creativity in everyday tasks, from cooking stews to organizing her home, and reflects on how parenthood has shifted her priorities. “I genuinely am someone that loves to take big breaks, to like, fold all my sheets,” she says, finding peace in the balance between her career and personal life.

As Slate continues to navigate the duality of motherhood and creativity, her work and personal journey offer an inspiring look at how embracing life’s messiness can lead to profound creative fulfillment.

Lifeform by Jenny Slate is available now wherever books are sold.

(source: PEOPLE).