We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacqueline Tempera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jacqueline, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
This is such a great question, and there is no one answer. I often say that for someone who has literally spent her whole adult life working toward a career in writing…I loathe the process about 90% of the time. Writing and creating can be excruciating! It’s literally creating something out of nothing but an idea in your head. While this is one of the most beautiful things a human can do, that doesn’t make it any easier.
A few things have helped me (besides my daily meltdowns when in the middle of a tricky sentence or story) is first to make myself comfortable. Whenever I lead writing workshops, I encourage people to do whatever makes them feel relaxed, whether that’s curling up with a blanket, lighting a candle, playing some of your favorite music, or whatever. It’s important to stay in a relaxed state, especially if you’re working on a big project, because….that can get overwhelming.
For writing – and this is a challenge – I always recommend to set a timer for 10-15 minutes and just GO. Dump out whatever is in your brain onto the page, even if you’re just writing nonsense. Odds are you’ll get a few great paragraphs out of that, and then you can go back from there. Editing while writing interrupts my creative flow, and I’ve heard the same from others.
Another important piece is confidence, and this is an inside job. Believe in your art, and what you’re building! Because if you don’t champion yourself, it’s going to be a lot harder to get other people to believe in you. When I start writing something new I repeat mantras to myself (I have a post-it on my computer that says WRITE IT ALL DOWN!) and it’s nice to visualize the finished project, and what that will mean to you. Whether it’s a vulnerable Instagram caption, or a full blown book deal, let yourself feel into how that will land in your body. This is often the extra push I need to keep going, which honestly might be the most important part of the creative process. Don’t give up!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am so proud of the work I have done with female founders in developing their brand stories, which is a facet of my business I’ve really put a lot of work into this year. I’ve spoken with women who started their own business school, champagne subscription service, dermatology clinic, sex toy company, and more. When I work with a new client, I get to use the same skills I refined as an investigative reporter to get to the heart of WHY they do what they do.
The most beautiful part of this work, is really how much everyone really has in common. Every person I have worked with reached some sort of breaking point or point of no return in her career, said screw this, and went her own way. Not only is this something I relate to on a personal level, but I think it is incredibly inspiring. There is no one way to achieve success, and lucky for me, I get to hear everyone’s journey through my signature storytelling framework Story Magic.
I am also launching my first group program in the coming months which is all about OWNING YOUR EXTRA! I teach people how to capitalize on their own quirks, and personality traits, to draw in dream clients. The results have been mind blowing, and I can’t wait to teach this on a larger scale!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I have always prided myself on my work ethic, which is my # 1 piece of advice to anyone trying to move further in your life or career is to work hard. It is important to take the jobs, titles, or gigs that may be less exciting when you’re getting started so you can learn, practice and grow! I could’ve not worked in various newsrooms across New Jersey as a teenager, but I’ve always prided myself in that time. I missed family vacations, friend’s birthdays, and more when I was a teenager because I was so dedicated to my job writing for a weekly newspaper in a little NJ beach town. I was a weirdo, and maybe that was a bit much (I am a big fan of vacations). But what I am trying to say, is that sometimes the little sacrifices are worth it. And if you keep working on your craft, you WILL improve.
Another quality is just to have a positive attitude at work. Not everything you do in your career is going to light your soul on fire, but a little smile and enthusiasm goes a long way. I’ve gotten to work on so many interesting projects because my editors knew I was up for whatever they threw my way, and I’ve always been grateful for that.
And, of course, have a strong sense of self and confidence is essential. Put up those boundaries, and protect your own sense of peace – no matter the job!
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is someone who is ready to show the world how different they are, and change it for the better. I work with women who are innovators, who know who they are, and who aren’t afraid to come off as “too much,” or “weird,” or “extra” or “annoying” in promoting their work. I love extra!!!
What makes you different is often the most underused, valuable resource you have in your business. When you speak from the heart in your copywriting, in your brand strategy, in your emails, social posts, or even in line at the coffee shop, the right people will be attracted to you. And people that understand that, or are ready to show more of themselves are my ideal clients!! I love to celebrate strong women who are not afraid to stand out.
Contact Info:
- Website: jackietempera.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacktemp/
Image Credits
Photos by Starky Morillo
