We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joan Montreuil. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joan below.

Joan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I have worked on many important projects throughout my career. What’s really crucial for me when starting one is to get very clear on the goals right at the start and then create a plan with milestones. I also like dealing with the most difficult parts of the projects early on—that way in case there are any significant issues, I’ll still have a time to complete before the deadline. I also typically break down large tasks into smaller chunks, so that it is easier to know where to start. Writing down the vision and making it plain is very important to ensure an important project goes smoothly. For example, last year I noticed that I had taken on so many projects, I started to feel overwhelmed and my entire process of meeting a deadline had become lost somewhere in the hustle of trying to stay afloat. Having said that, it’s always easier to see what the lessons are after a project has been completed, and I now know what I’d do differently the next time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a seasoned, award-winning playwright, scriptwriter, and author with a strong passion for the ARTS. I truly believe that I stumbled upon this blessing after experiencing a very difficult upbringing and somehow writing in my diary as a young girl made me feel safe to express my emotions privately. To this day, I am truly grateful that my mom was wise enough to introduce me to the art of writing and self-expression. This is how I began my writing career. I unknowingly was creating a permanent record of my ideas and thoughts that created a wealth of imaginative stories that came from experiences, conversations, and observing the behavior of people. I had become invested in the art of writing and putting my emotions into words which allowed me a safe space to explore playwrighting. I realized that I had found a way to create problems and solve them through my inspiring stageplays, then later would come books, and films! I am the Founder, CEO, and Director of two thriving organizations. Wisdom Production, LLC and Brilliant Women In film. I’ve written, directed, edited, produced, and filmed content for over 25 years for Television, Film, and Media. I help my clients learn how to do the same through the art of writing along with film production and book writing. I help them to excel in the industry by providing workshops, events along with several platforms to portray their work including our annual film festival! I want my clients to win! I am most proud when a client premieres their work for the very first time to the world and is pleased with the results. This is what I live for; this is what my purpose is here on earth!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning really is the key to transformation, to make those big changes in your life that can help you feel more positive and present. We all have things we’d be better off unlearning — bad habits, negative thinking patterns, etc. — but, as you might already know, unlearning is actually much more challenging than learning.

For example: Being raised in the church, I was always taught to give until it hurts, this was considered an acceptable sacrifice. This one scripture stands out, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Christians were giving what they did not have out of desperateness and risked going without after they’ve sown a sacrificial seed. One of the interesting things about this offering is that if it’s misconstrued; an individual can give their time, money, or resources to a cause or person, that was of great sacrifice and still not reap the benefits of the sacrifice. I used to feel horrible about not giving to the church and neglecting the very gift that GOD had instilled in me. I was made to feel guilty, investing and sowing into my own vision, until I had to backtrack and unlearn some things, a lot of things.

Mainly, I had to unlearn this two-decade habit and grasp the true meaning of this principle of giving and sowing in the kingdom of GOD. I’d discover new ways to disburse the goods and it now has a greater meaning to be able to give on purpose and sow on purpose according to the will of GOD.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect as a creative is to have a voice from within speaking to you and creating visions of scenes that will eventually come together to produce a story. A story that is not always a reflection of your experiences but things we are most passionate about or stories GOD wants to reveal to the world. To have this gift stirring up in your soul from heavenly places is absolutely unimaginable. Creating characters and storylines that are meant to bring forth a message that is designed to impact an audience, a community, a nation is liberating. It has an impact on your life, it changes who you are and makes you come to question things that you didn’t even know you had in your mind. It makes you expand the way you think and creates a reality how you see it and can also shape someone else reality for the better. I give all the glory to GOD for using my experiences, both bad and good as a stepping stone that produces a platform to tell stories that matter. Creatives have the power to change the world!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wisdomproductioninternational.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwifbrilliantwomeninfilm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joanmontreuilfilms
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-montreuil-0b133834/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontreuilJoan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz85C1kSZFv9mYHj9KKVTBA

Image Credits
Joan Montreuil, Devin Brown