J.P. Choquette's Blog, page 17

Winner of Personalized Short Story Contest Revealed!

Working as an Authorpreneur

Staff meeting--looks like I get my choice of spots to sit! I was recently introduced to the great term, "authorpreneur," by the prolific and wildly creative, Joanna Penn. While she started out in the world of nonfiction, she's now an accomplished suspense fiction author writing under the name of J.F. Penn . Check out her great books if you like the style of Dan Brown and the fictional character Laura Croft--a perfect blend of the two, I've heard! Joanna also hosts the incredibly inspiring Creative Penn Podcast twice per month and I always finish listening all revved up and ready to write a bestseller.    :) 

It's easier to think of myself as an author than an entrepreneur, though I've been writing for a living for the past six years, and only a published author for two . In January, 2008, I launched my writing business--of course at that time it looked very different than it does today. I wrote for national magazines, local and regional newspapers and journals, and later moved into copywriting for business clients (basically writing website content, blog posts, brochure blurbs and the like). It was and is, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. Setting a goal of leaving a full-time job to write sounds like a pipe dream--to have it "come true" and still be working at it six years later is nothing short of a miracle. I had a load of other jobs before this and always wondered what was wrong with me--why nothing "fit" work-wise. Then I started writing for a living and it was like, "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh. Now I can really breathe."

This term authorpreneur really caught my attention when I heard it though. After meeting with my business mentor this week, I'm re-dedicating my efforts to think/act/be more like a business. . . but only in the background, I promise. You won't be getting any business-speak sales pitches from me, or cheesy advertising  in your inbox. And I don't have plans to turn this website into a moneymaking pyramid, so don't be afraid. 

The photo above shows my weekly morning meeting: a (genius!) suggestion from my business mentor that I partake in each week. It's important she says--and I fully agree--to get up out of the day to day work and check your navigation from time to time. If I say I want to go there, then why am I doing all of this stuff that's going to bring me here? 

Anyway, I also love my kitchen nook (even though I dream of having one that looks like the one below) and thought you might like seeing behind the scenes of my writing life!  Click photo to visit Ariannabelle.com for more mouth watering photos.

What Authors can Learn from KISS (Yes, that KISS)

Today I'm guest posting over at the Sisters in Crime New England's blog, Pen, Ink and Crimes . Would love for you to drop by for a visit (and you can hear all about my first metal concert!) 


Yes, these are my REAL ticket stubs!

Be Famous~Win a Contest!

Image credit "So, what's all this about a contest?" 
Glad you asked! 

I have been dreaming up ways to make a fun, interactive reading/writing experience. The feedback from the serial short stories sent recently via the newsletter have been excellent (thanks!) and so I thought, "Why not create the same experience but personalize it for one lucky reader?" 

Here's how it will work: 

The winner will be selected at random on Tuesday, June 23rd. That individual will be featured in an original short suspense story which will be posted on this website. I'll also email you your very own copy. 

The contest will be open to anyone, but newsletter subscribers will get  two  entries. (Pssst! Sign up quickly and without cost for the newsletter by clicking on the NEWSLETTER button above). I believe in giving back to the faithful readers who enjoy this newsletter--and perks are a fun way to show my appreciation. 

  To enter  simply email me at scaredecatbooks at gmail dot com, or send me a quick message on Facebook. Good luck and happy summer reading!