J.P. Choquette's Blog, page 14

The Healthy Entrepreneur: Tips to Keep Creatives Strong and Energized

I recently polled Facebook friends/fans asking how they powered their morning (i.e. what they ate for breakfast). The results were interesting: everything from cookies to oatmeal to energy bars and a whole lot in between. 

As an entrepreneur my health is super important to me. Of course it was previously, before I launched my own business as a writer. But now even more so. I don't have sick days. I can't call my boss and plead for a little time off because I have the sniffles or the flu. 

Preventative measures are my best bet. 

April, of the famed Blacksburg Belle, (a site you should definitely check out if you're a creative + biz minded) talks about the importance of what we eat during the day --and how it can power (or not) our tasks and creativity.  

In addition to what we eat, it's important to move frequently. Have you heard that sitting on our butts all day is as unhealthy as smoking?! Crazy, right? 

I've switched to a standing desk for most of the work day. And no, it's not the fancy, expensive type. Just a box and a big, thick book on my regular desk to get my laptop to the right height. I also try to get out for a 15-minute walk once a day, in addition to my morning workout (but not recently as the weather in New England has been hovering around zero!). 

Oh, in if you're wondering I power my morning with a green protein smoothie and usually a toast or muffin with tahini or peanut butter. Yum!

What about you? How do you take care of your health as an entrepreneur and creative? 

Tips for Choosing Your Next Book to Read

With all the below zero weather and icy snowiness in New England this time of the year, it's the perfect time to do some  extra reading. 

I just finished A Trick of the Light, by Louise Penny, which was as brilliant as is   the rest of her Inspector Gamache series . In addition to a few business books, I'm also reading The Heist by Daniel Silva . I read one of his other's for a book club and enjoyed it though they take a significant amount of mental concentration. This more so because I'm embarrassingly behind in my European geography. Still, it's a good read. 

 Finding a new novel to read can be a bit of a conundrum . Here's what I'm looking for as I prowl the library or book shop shelves: 
Finding an author whose voice resonates with me.
Finding a story line that really draws me in and keeps me anxious to read the next chapter.Reading a great suspense/mystery/thriller that doesn't contain a lot of extraneous gore/torture/dismemberment (this annoys me so much that I started a club for readers who feel the same ).Investing in a book takes time,  something most of us don't have a lot of. So we're more prone to want something really good instead of just something so-so. 
I appreciate that sites like Amazon and Smashwords allow readers to preview the first few chapters of a book. Wattpad does this too, and in some cases you can get the entire book for free there (my first book,  Epidemic is free in its entirety on Wattpad if you're interested.) 

Posting sample chapters here also helps new readers to see if the book might be a good fit for them. And I finally got around to updating the newest freebie chaps from Subversion (ahem, sorry for the delay), so please check that out if you like spunky female characters + lots of sarcasm.

So, how do you choose a new book/author/series to read? Would love to hear your comments here or via social networking sites. 

Creatives: From Fear to Flourishing

From Fear to Flourish is the name of a new series of posts which will be part of this site. I hope that you enjoy reading about setting goals, changing things up and taking a chance by doing things differently . Last week I announced this new series and now I'm excited to start gathering up real people's real-life stories about how they went from fearing something, to flourishing in the face of it. 

While I'm in the process of outlining the submission guidelines, please read on for a personal example of what the series will look like. And remember: if you would like to share your story, please get in touch and I'll get you the details as soon as they are available.  From Fear to Flourish: One Creative's Journey One time I was scared of:  

When I was young, I loved to perform: plays, skits, musical numbers--it was a bit of an obsession. When I got to middle school though, like so many other kids, I became too self-conscious to do this anymore. Once I stopped "putting myself out there," the fear of being in front of others grew worse. As a teen I would still have very small parts in drama productions and loved singing, but many times my voice would be wobbling, my knees literally shaking, my lips and voice trembling. This continued into adulthood. Oh, but then I had the added pleasure of breaking out in a rash due to nervousness. 

What was that like?

In a word: awful! I hated it because inside I knew I wanted to connect with an audience, even if only a small one, in a meaningful way. But I avoided this at all costs. 

Why did you decide to tackle this particular fear?

It wasn't so much a decision as a way that things worked out. I was asked to teach a teen Sunday School class at church. My gut reaction? No way! But I said yes and amazing things started happening. 

How did you do that? 

I came to understand that teaching is very different than performing. I was able to interact with the students and got to like them. Plus, I was so interested in what they were learning and in how to present it in a non-stiff, un-stuffy way, that I got really into the information and got excited about sharing ideas with them, and listening to their ideas and questions. 

Was there a particular person and/or resource that helped you in the process? 

N/A

What was the result? 

From the experience, I became really passionate about teaching. I wondered if there would be anyone interested in learning about writing and publishing, from someone "in the trenches." I created a class curriculum and launched my own writing classes. I offered Freelance Writing 101, in which I helped students learn the in's and out's of starting a part-time or full-time gig as a freelance journalist. 

And I offered "Writing and Publishing Your First Book," where I showed other writers some practical, hand's on steps they could take to publish their first book. In fact, much of that information has been expanded in The 15-Minute Novelist: How to Write Your First Book in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Any wise or encouraging words you'd like to share that I haven't asked you about?

In order to successfully conquer a fear, you need a passion that's stronger. I'm terrified of sharks, for instance, but have no desire to prove myself through swimming with them. But connecting with others, performing and teaching and reaching an audience--that desire was ultimately stronger than my fear. 

I suggest a list (cause I love lists!) of all the things you're afraid of. Then make a list of dreams that you have, the things you want to do before you die.

Look for opposing facts: for instance: "I want to travel to Europe" and "I'm terrified of planes." Those areas which "share space" are where you might want to focus your energy. 

The Write Life--a Treasure Trove for Writers & Authors

image credit
I'm not quite sure how it is that I've been writing for a living for the past seven years ... and completely missed this fantastic writing site, The Write Life.  

Recommended to me by my friend and writing pal, Peggy Frezon (if you love dogs, you'll love Peggy's blog, The Writer's Dog ), The Write Life site is jam-packed with all sorts of helpful articles on writing, marketing, self-publishing and finding writing gigs. 

I had to tear  myself away last night but only long enough to read another chapter from The Economy of You (which I inhaled half of in just a few hours). 

I'll be posting soon more in depth about this awesome book and the author, Kimberly Palmer . Don't worry though, I wasn't procrastinatin g ... this was free time ... I swear!   

Why I Stopped Watching the News

image credit Here are the main reasons I've heard that people watch the news:
"I have to watch the news. How else would I know what's going on in the world?""I don't want to be ignorant. Plus, it's a good conversation starter at social events." "Watching the news is just what I do. I get up, make the coffee and turn the news on. It's part of my morning routine." When I was a kid my grandparents and parents would "discuss the news" around the dinner table on Sundays. I hated that time so much. This wasn't nice news like, "Did you hear cousin Jimmy got a new job?" No, it was a rehashing of all the rape, torture, kidnapping, murder and animal abuse in our state and other far-flung locations. 

My grandmother was an excellent cook but I remember on more than one occasion leaving the table feeling nauseous. And it wasn't from the food.  "But we need the news."  I agree. But we don't need to a) start our day off with mounds of depressing and awful stories, b) spend more than 10 minutes watching for highlights or c) waste our energy dwelling on all the crappy things in the world. 

Most news is a time suck and a positive energy drain. 

I haven't watched the news, purposefully, in several years and I don't believe I'm missing a thing. Social news? If I don't hear about it first-hand on Facebook than someone tells me in passing. There's also this unique thing called a phone. I use that sometimes. 

National and world news? I hear this occasionally on the public radio station or while in a store. If there's some terrible crime, I'm sure to hear about it 10 times more than I want to anyway, as it's discussed at the gas station or out with friends. I keep up to date on the great things that organizations like this are doing in other ways. 

News, for the most part, is not a positive thing. Reporters have learned over time that fear drives readers so that's what newspapers and TV stations tend to focus on. Some news outlets though, make it a priority to focus on positive things happening in the world . Besides, the more time I spend passively watching the news, the less time I have to make things happen in my own life . 

If you love watching the news and feel that you get a lot of positive things from it, I'd love to hear your point of view. Please leave a comment here or chat with me on Facebook or Twitter . 

New "Real Person" Series ... Interested in Being Featured?

What the heck is a "real person" series? Well, one of the things this space is going to focus on in 2015 is fear--both how we love it (in great books/movies) and how we hate it (public speaking, anyone?). 

What could be more inspiring than learning more about some of the real fears that you have plowed through? 

I'm envisioning a series, maybe weekly or every other week, dedicated to showcasing you. Maybe one of you will write about the time you jumped out of an airplane ... or maybe just the day you stood up to the schoolyard bully. It can be a story from your past or something that your struggling with right now. 

I'll be posting some guidelines for submission very soon, so get your writing hats on!

Be well, 
-J.P. 

PS I'm also in need of a GREAT title for this series. What do you think? Leave a comment here or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter . Thanks!

The Benefits of Doing Things that Scare You

Why do we feel so inspired by reading/listening to or talking with someone who regularly does new, exciting things in his life? 

Whether it's the co-worker who quit his job to become a full-time artist, the woman who decides that photographing sharks is her idea of a dream vacation, or the family that packs up and heads to Alaska for a month-long outdoor adventure, there is something inspiring about seeing others reach out and grasp life with both hands. 

Of course, you don't have to choose such dramatic, huge dreams. Something on the smaller side like giving a presentation during a staff meeting (if you are terrified of public speaking) or trying a Zumba class (when you believe you're as coordinated as a slinky) or even deciding that you're finally going to share your writing with a friend are all great places to start.

Dale Carnegie's book, 'Public Speaking for Success'  tells about a woman who was a great horseback rider. You know what her number one tip was to become a great horsewoman? Ride a horse. Seriously, the hours she logged in the saddle were what made her great. 

Think about that for a minute. If we want to become a great public speaker someday, the best place to start is by reading a book or taking a course. Then practicing. And practicing. And practicing some more. If we just keep reading book after book, watching others present, downloading videos about giving effective presentations but never speak in front of anyone, we won't become great at it. 
Simple. But not easy.  If only we could read books and transfer that knowledge directly into our skill set: wouldn't that be wonderful? 

Until that happens, the only choice we have when we face dreams (and the fears that naturally come along with them) is to take a big, deep breath and give it a try. Each time that "big, scary thing" will get easier. And soon we'll be wondering why in the world we ever felt scared of that. 

Is there something you've always longed to do but haven't tried? Or something that you tried and failed at, but are still fascinated by? We'd love to hear about it in the comments or via Facebook or Twitter. 

This post is re-written from content at my previous website, Scared E Cat. You can find the original version here.

Survival for Creatives ... How to Carve Out Quiet in a (really) Loud World

I have a weekly ritual that brings me so much peace it makes me downright giddy. 
Quiet Time. Reflection. Inner Awareness.  Raise your hand if you DON'T want more of these things in your life. No one? Hmmmm ... 

What makes all of these things possible are two tiny things: 
TimeIntention
Now, when someone says, "I don't have enough time to do "X" (say, write your first novel or spend time reading one of your favorite author's new works), I roll my eyes inwardly. Because you know what? We all have time--24 hours, seven days a week = 168 hours a week to be exact. Granted there are all those necessary but pesky things that eat up big chunks of time like sleeping, eating, working, etc. And I'm certainly not speaking here to the single mother who is raising a few kids on her own and working three jobs to keep it all together. 

I'm talking to the rest of us (yes, me too). Those who say we don't have enough time to write/read/craft/exercise/whatever, but then spend hours on Facebook or Twitter, fall into Instagram or watch just one TV show ... only to emerge bleary-eyed hours later from our technology (escape?) of choice. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The truth is that we don't have enough time if we first don't find that second word, intention. 

Someone once told me that you make the time for what's important to you. When this bit of wisdom was shared I did my own bit of eye-rolling. I was working full-time and going to college part-time and felt that I had zero left in my tank for "priorities" like taking care of myself.  But what does any of this have to do with creatives?  Creatives, maybe more than any other group of people, are more prone to distraction. We see bright, shiny objects and run in that direction. We're also notorious for becoming overwhelmed. Many creatives--though not all--are introverts. We suck in information, feasting like a mosquito at a nude beach, until we are so full we
are completely overloaded.  Creative = Distracted My point is this: if we set the intention to take a step back for thinking, dreaming, planning, being introspective and reflective, amazing things can happen. 

About six months ago I started holding a Weekly Meeting for my business. Now it is one of the rituals I look forward to every week. This is my time for planning, reflecting on what's going right with my efforts and what needs to be tweaked. It's time for me to celebrate my successes and also look at my not-so-successful experiments (i.e. failures) and determine what I'm going to do differently next time. 

So every week you'll find me at the kitchen table: something good on the radio, something hot to drink, my notepad and pen before me, ready to be quiet and find out what's really going on. Ready to map out my next 168 hours and get re-excited about the awesome journey of having my own business and the incredible gift of creativity. 

Give it a try! It doesn't have to be hours long ... start with just 30 minutes and see what happens. Make it a practice and see if your creativity doesn't flourish when you shut out all the outside noise and go within. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this via Facebook or Twitter (just not during my Weekly Meeting time).    

Be well, 

-J.P. 

Why Procrastination Sucks (and how to avoid it)

image credit Today, as I shivered away in my office (even after 30+ years living in New England I can't ever seem to get warm enough in winter), wearing my fleece tights under jeans and three sweaters with scarf and gloves, I was "just too cold," to finish re-reading the manuscript I'm working on. 

This replaces my summer excuse, where I'm "just too hot," or my hard-week lament of being, "just too exhausted." 

Really, my creative excuses never end. 

The manuscript that I was supposed to read first thing this morning morphed into a late-morning task. Unfortunately, that turned into an afternoon task because I was too busy (avoiding the task) with other pressing issues. Such as checking Facebook and Twitter. 
Please, tell me I'm not the only person who procrastinates even FUN things.  I've found that I even procrastinate doing things that are supposed to be fun. I've been known to hold onto gift certificates for a massage for more than a year. A girl never knows when she might really need time at the spa and if I use the certificate I'll be in dire straights in a month or two, right? Plus, I'd have to call and schedule the appointment. Ugh. 

The problem with all of this procrastinating is that it really sucks the life out of you. As soon as I (finally) tackled my manuscript re-reading, I felt instantly shot with adrenaline. Heck, I had so much energy coursing through me that I actually took off one of my sweaters.

An excellent book on changing habits around procrastination are: 

The Power of Habit , by Charles Duhigg 
And
The Compound Effect , by Darren Hardy
Read as needed. Both are fantastic and will motivate you to take on those tasks (however pleasant) you've been putting off. 

The 15-Minute Novel: How to Start (and Finish) Your First Novel in 15-Minutes a Day

Very, V-E-R-Y excited to tell you about my first foray into the world of nonfiction. No, no. Scratch that. The truth is I've been writing nonfiction as my day job for seven years now. But this is the first nonfiction manuscript I've ever written. 

The idea for putting my "15-Minute Writing Method" came to me while talking with another writer. She said that she'd taken my advice (how flattering!) and tried this method herself and (drum roll please) had great success with it. 

So, when I mentioned the 15-Minute Writing Method to students in my writing classes, they asked question after clarifying question. Hmmmmm, I wonder if ...

"But what's it all about?" Unlike my fiction work, with this book I made an outline. Because I was asking the same question that you probably are, "how can you need a whole book to explain a 15-minute process?" and wanted to be sure that I needed a full-on manuscript and not just a series of blog posts. But what I found while compiling the outline was that this wouldn't work without that. And that it was important for readers to understand the why of their choice not to write. And how to launch themselves over the hurdles. 

"Is it really a choice?"

If you've ever been on a diet or tried to start an exercise program or give up smoking or yelling at your kids you know how hard it is to instill new habits. The responses we have used again and again and again are so completely ingrained it feels like we'll need a full lobotomy to ever change the pattern in our brains. 

Luckily, it doesn't take measures nearly that extreme. But like any healthy new habit, writing for 15-minutes a day takes time and energy.  This E-guide will provide you with simple, practical steps: how to start and finish your first novel before you can imagine possible. 

Really. 

So stay tuned if you're struggling to complete that first (or sixth) manuscript. I too, once had a pile of partially finished works languishing in various forms of completion on my hard drive. And if I can use this simple method to change my writing habits, so can you.