Author Interview
Getting to Know Jessica Guicheteau, Author of 32nd Notes to Salvation
As you may already know, I love getting to know other authors and discovering new books. Well, today I have a treat for you. I'm interviewing new author named Jessica Guicheteau and giving you all the inside details about her new book.
Before we jump into the questions and answers let me give you some background information about this new author by sharing with you her official bio:
"Jessica Guicheteau is a newly published author of her memoir “32nd Notes to Salvation.” Her book is about her life challenges she has faced throughout her life, from the time of her birth to her present. She talks about how the lyrics of Gospel and secular religious music have helped her persevere in a spiritual way. Her prayer for the reader is that they will find hope and serenity in knowing they are not alone in God’s presence.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys taking care of her two cats whom she considers her kids. She loves to play with them and be in their company. Jessica’s cats are very special to her, as her first cat was given to her upon survival of her domestic violence experience. Her second cat was named after her maternal grandmother.
Jessica is originally from New Jersey and presently calls Mississippi her home. Though acclimating to the southern ways was initially a culture shock for Jessica, having lived in the South now for over 12 years, she presently feels like one of the south’s own. Some of her friends say that they now hear flares of a southern accent in Jessica, which she laughs about and finds so funny.
Jessica loves a good laugh when she can get one. Scripture states, “Laughter is like a medicine.” Jessica has always enjoyed watching shows of some of her favorite standup comedians. In return, Jessica always enjoys bringing a good laugh to others.
Jessica’s hope is that her book brings healing through the Word of God in a music therapy way. You are not alone. God loves you!"
Ready to find out more?
Q&A with Jessica Guicheteau
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
I think I always knew I wanted to be an author, but I never thought I was good enough to be a published author as a profession. I always wrote just as a hobby. My grandmother (deceased) would always read compositions I wrote and she’d say, “Jessica, you should’ve been a writer.” Over time, as I saw the reactions of my family and friends whenever I wrote something to them, I began to realize this was more than something fun I was doing. This was a strength of mine that’s meant for others to see as well. So, I began writing for other, broader audiences.
2. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?
One of the most surprising things I learned in creating my book was how vulnerable I could be. As I was writing my book, I didn’t think I was going to be comfortable opening up about some topics.
I remember I talked to someone about my writing process. I remember saying to this person, “I’m worried about the number of words, mechanics and the like.” He said to me in response, “Don’t worry about the number of words and just write.” “And you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll fill up the pages of your book.” I took his advice and I just began writing. Before I knew it, I just started freely expressing my thoughts and emotions with this book in a way I didn’t initially think I was capable of.
3. What's the meaning behind the title of your book?
“32nd Notes to Salvation- Always Seen, Harmoniously Loved, and Eternally Forgiven” firstly, comes from my love for music. Since I was a baby, I always held a deep, abiding love for music. In my youth and into my college years, I majored in music, was a part of an orchestra as a glockenspiel player, sang in choirs, and played the piano. Throughout my pursuit of learning about music, I also learned much about music theory.
One of the concepts I learned about was the different types of music notes. In music, a 32nd note is the fastest music note when played or sung. I thought about this book in relation to God’s timing and music therapy. I thought about how music has helped me through many of my life challenges: how music helped time pass and mend my wounds in a fleeting, spiritually healing way.
The subtitle of my book: the topics I wrote about in my book were also experiences I had shared with people along my healing journey. As much as I received support from some people, there were definitely also people who said to me, “I don’t think you should have received as much grace/forgiveness for that.” Or, “I’m going to show you conditional love now because of this situation that happened.” Or, “this is all your fault and not the other person’s.”
So, I wanted people to know through my book’s subtitle “always seen, harmoniously loved, and eternally forgiven” that God sees you. You are never forgotten. Even if it feels like everyone is holding you in bondage, don’t ever hold yourself in permanent bondage spiritually because of something that happened in your past. Even if no one else forgives you, God’s love and forgiveness for you is always eternal.
4. When is the book due for release?
5. What inspired the idea for your book?
What inspired the idea for my book: I started thinking about all of my life experiences I have endured in my past. I thought about how people know certain experiences about me or pieces of things I’ve been through, but don’t really know my whole story/testimony.
I also felt like I have been especially guarded about my experiences. So, I wanted to open up more about what I’ve been through to let others know they aren’t alone. I started doing little things to put myself out there on a more public platform to share my story. As my apprehensions began slowly subsiding because of positive responses I received from audiences, I thought, “Why not write a book?” to share my whole story.
6. How would you describe your book's ideal reader?
I would describe my book’s ideal reader as someone who has endured trauma who feels like they’re the only one. My book’s ideal reader reads my letters in my book and says, “Wow, that’s me too. I am going through/have been through that too.” The reader feels overwhelmed and needs to find a way to heal. My book’s ideal reader has a passion for music. They have used music as their way to cope with their life’s challenges in a way that has provided them spiritual healing and growth.
7. What does literary success look like for you?
Literary success for me doesn’t mean writing the best with the best wording or grammar or syntax or having my book be a best-seller.
Literary success for me looks like: the meaning behind what I wrote in my book has impacted someone else in a positive, uplifting way. I told the reader a story they could relate to. I gave the reader the help they needed through my literary work when nothing else they tried helped. I gave the reader a reason to live another day because my literary work helped the reader know they had a life purpose. That kind of success means more to me that any accolade I could ever receive for my literary work.
8. Do you play music while you write- and if so, what's your favorite?
I do play music while I write. When I was writing this book, I wanted to play music that was going to help me pour out my emotions on paper.
So, as I was writing my book, I listened to a lot of Tasha Cobbs music. Her songs, the lyrics, and the way she sang them helped me to release all of what I was feeling as I was writing.
As I was writing the traumatic experiences part of my book, some of Tasha Cobbs’ songs I listened to included, “You Know My Name,” “Fill Me Up/Overflow” (Medley-Live), and “Break Every Chain.” I also listened to songs by Maverick City Music such as “Jireh” and “Promises” as I was writing.
I remember crying as I was writing; listening to these songs because the content was just so emotion-filled. The messages in these songs tied in so well with how I felt at the time my trauma occurred. So, as I was writing, it was very spiritually therapeutic.
9. What are some of your all-time favorite books?
Some of my all-time favorite books: As a child, I remember I loved the book “The Secret Garden.” I loved how that book always took me to a fantasy-type of world and brought me serenity. I always loved to imagine when I was a kid.
As I got older, I loved reading autobiographies of famous people I admired. I was always fascinated by their life stories. I loved reading about where they started to where they are now. I remember reading one of Jewel’s autobiographies. Prior to reading her book, I knew a little bit about her story, but didn’t know her whole story in depth. I was fascinated by how she overcame her life challenges she faced.
10. What book (or books) are you currently reading?
I am currently reading scriptures from the Bible. Doing so helps me apply them to some challenging times I am going through presently. Reading God’s Word helps me focus on how I can heal spiritually and move forward.
11. What do you like to do when not writing?
When I’m not writing, I like to go to church and attend worship concerts and related events. I like hearing the message preached every week. Especially when the message is one that applies to my own life, I get excited about how I can use the message as encouragement or as wisdom for the future.
I also like attending worship concerts of some of my favorite Gospel recording artists. I enjoy getting the opportunity to see them perform their music live. I feel like I get lost in the meanings behind their songs when I’m at their concerts.
As one of my favorite Gospel singers (CeCe Winans) always says, “It’s less of a concert. It’s an encounter.”
I like attending related worship events as well. Just recently I attended CeCe Winans’ Generations conference. She had many speakers who spoke on various topics and gave their testimonies.
One of the speakers was DawnChere Wilkerson. She made a statement while sharing her testimony that really resonated with me. She said, “The one thing that is holding you back could be the one thing that’s keeping you together.” I challenge you who’s reading this to think about, “What’s that one thing for you?”
12. If you could be mentored by a famous author, who would it be?
If I could be mentored by a famous author, it would be John Bevere. I had the utmost pleasure of meeting him in person one day after a church service I attended when he gave the message. He’s so nice and very down to earth. I like how he ties his ministry to the messages in his books. I would love to learn all I can from him one day. That would be amazing.
I hope you've enjoying getting to know Jessica Guicheteau better.
Would you like to be interviewed about your book?
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