Featured Writer on Wellness: J. P. Choquette

For me, different parts of my writing journey
have brought different challenges.

When I first started writing professionally (in 2007) I struggled to balance it all.

While that has remained a challenge to this day, (I pair freelance writing which pays the bills with book writing which doesn’t…yet!), now I find that isolation and constantly feeling that I don’t measure up to other, more successful authors is my biggest struggle.

The Writer’s Journey Has Certainly Not Turned Out as I Planned

I’m a deeply spiritual person and my faith has been the number one thing that brings me through the dark times. The writer’s journey has certainly not turned out as I planned. (What?! No instant success or people beating down my doors to hire me? No fans mobbing me if I go to the movie theater?!)

I also find movement to be a great anxiety-tamer, particularly if I do it outdoors. I’m making more of an effort to schedule walks, hikes, snowshoes or whatever else I can with other people when possible.

Right now I’m dabbling with cross-country skiing (I am so desperate I made a little “track” around our one-acre yard) and learning more about winter bicycling. I also like to create mixed media art. When I make the time to do that—even if only for a few minutes—it really changes my perspective and seems to “loosen things up,” in my head.

Staying off of websites and out of online groups which trigger the “comparison-itis,” and even no longer listening to certain podcasts really helps me to stay focused on my own path.

What to Do About All that Sitting and Typing

The biggest physical challenge to being a writer is all the sitting and repetitive motion of typing, as I’m sure is the case for most of us.

I recently created a stand-up desk using an old craft table and some “risers” made from a vintage wooden box and fabric-wrapped package of copier paper. It feels much better and my neck/shoulder discomfort has improved.

I have a rather hard stool that I use when my legs start to feel tired. It’s good that it’s not too comfortable though. That helps me not spend too much time sitting on it!

Working in Short Bursts Helps Me Focus

Most of all, working in short bursts is incredibly helpful.

I often set a timer in the other room for 45 minutes. When it goes off, I have to stop what I’m doing and go turn it off.

Then I take a 10-15 minute “break” where I’ll either do some small household chores, go for a walk or anything else to get me moving around. When that time is up I re-set the timer and start again.

Adventure and Experiments are Key to Creativity

For me, new-ness, adventure and experiments are key to creativity.

Now, when I say, “adventure” I’m not talking about trips across the globe (though I would love those!). Anything can be an adventure. Driving or walking down a road I’ve never been on before, learning a new skill, trying a new way of doing the same old thing, finding new uses for old materials in my artwork…. All of these help me to live in the present moment and feel more alive.

Doing uncomfortable things too, are really good for us. A few weeks ago I went for a bike ride in 27 degree weather. It wasn’t as bad as one would imagine (except my face–yikes!).

That short bike ride completely set the tone for my day. I had done it and survived (and even enjoyed myself) so the rest of the not-so-great-things I had to do that day paled in comparison.

My Discouragement Led to Me Quitting Writing

At one really low point in 2015, I quit writing fiction. Or at least, I tried to quit.

I’d taken a full-time copywriting job and was determined to just be a “normal” person—one who went to work, came home, made dinner and watched Netflix.

My discouragement led me to this. I was dismayed by my paltry book sales and had let a few readers’ criticism of my work bother me way too much. I wanted to give up, but I was torn. I really felt that God intended for me to be a writer but I’d had it. I was so sick and tired of trying (and failing).

For about two years I worked unhappily in the boring mind-on-treadmill type corporate gig.

One Creative Pursuit Nourishes Another

But during that time I found my creativity coming out in other ways. I started making altered clothes—something I’d dreamed of doing for years—and playing with the fabric and threads and color and textures was really healing to me.

It also taught me more about problem solving. And helped me to see that just because I’m a writer, doesn’t mean I can’t or shouldn’t create in other ways. In fact, I believe that one creative pursuit nourishes another.

Finally, I had to admit that being “normal” wasn’t a good long-term goal for me. After a lot of time, thought and prayer, I returned to the unstable-financially-but-fulfilling-in-other-ways life of a freelance writer. And I started writing fiction again—completing the first draft of a new historical mystery, Let the Dead Rest, while working at that mind-numbing job.

Holding My First Book In My Hands Brought Me to Tears

While the praise of others regarding my books always feels good, I think my greatest triumph as a writer is twofold.

1) Finishing and then publishing my first book, Epidemic, was one of the proudest moments of my life. For years I’d listened to that little critical voice in my head that said I was too lazy, too unmotivated, too much of a quitter and that really, I stunk as a writer, so why bother trying? To work so hard, for so long and then hold a REAL book in your hands—one with your name on the cover—it brought me to tears.

2) I (infrequently) teach writing classes to adults. These are fulfilling to me because of the way that students respond. When I see the “light bulb” moment, or offer a simple tip or trick that has worked for me and have a student say, “Wow, that’s helpful. I’m going to try it!”, I feel really thankful.

Because of my personality and the way that my brain works, I am often overwhelmed and confused with lengthy explanations or directions. I’m more of a “do-er” not so much a “let’s talk about this for an hour” sort of person. So, breaking things down into mini chunks, making them as simple and easy as possible really works for me. I’m happy to be able to share that with my students.

It’s Been the Hardest, Most Frustrating and Most Beautiful Fulfilling Career

For me, writing is intertwined with my spiritual journey. Not because I write “Christian things” because I usually don’t. But God has shown up and showed me so many amazing things during the past 11 years.

It’s been the hardest, most frustrating and most beautiful, fulfilling career I ever could have imagined for myself. I’m grateful everyday that I get to do something that fits me so well (after years and years of square peg, round hole-type jobs), that uses my strengths and that I love so much.

Advice for a Young Writer: Be True to Yourself and Your Own Journey

It’s funny, I’m actually informally mentoring a young man right now who is passionate about writing and wants to be a writer as his career someday. I hope if nothing else he gets from me this message: be true to yourself and your own journey.

Never listen to any writer—bestseller or not—who says you “must do this,” or “you can’t do that,” in order to be a real writer. I wasted so much time trying to be a “real writer.”

I’d encourage any young person wanting to be a writer to cultivate two skills: write frequently and hone your persistence muscle. You’ll need both in equal measure.

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J.P. Choquette is the author of several mystery/suspense novels set in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her books, “turn pages, not stomachs,” and can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, other online booksellers and on her website.

Between writing, she loves to spend time with her family—preferably outdoors or watching a movie—make altered art, sip hot beverages and daydream about future adventures, real and imagined.

She would love to connect with you via her website, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.

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Let the Dead Rest:  After losing both her parents and her long-time boyfriend, doll sculptor Isabel Joven is emotionally raw. When a mysterious gift—a vintage doll—arrives on her doorstep she is intrigued. But Isabel can’t imagine the dark shadow this doll will cast on her life…

In 1944, Etta Hayes is over-the-moon excited to welcome home her WWII fiancé. But the doll he brings home leaves Etta feeling edgy and frightened. When sinister things begin to happen, Etta starts to question the doll’s history. Will she unravel the doll’s dark secrets too late?

Available on Amazon.