Q&A with Author Raquel Durden
Dial Down: Holistic Strategies to Move from Chaos to Calm has been out for more than one month and it’s already making an impact on readers by bringing wellness to their lives. Read on to learn about author Raquel Durden’s process for writing the book.
Why did you write your book? What inspired you to write it?
I have taught wellness practices for a long time. Three different people at different times—a Navy Veteran clinician, a former Special Forces qualified brigade commander, and a member of a virtual writing group—suggested I write a book about my expertise in wellness. I finally decided to go for it! A published book would amplify my message of connection and wellness. In its present form, the book serves as both a personal guide and a trusted wellness resource to help those who consistently navigate stress.
What was your writing process?
I’m a project person. Dial Down began as my “Tender Places Project” with a clear beginning, end, and timeline. The title came from a grounding technique I use as a yoga teacher which invites people to recall a place that feels safe, comforting, and real. I began with ideas and lists, handwritten in a salmon-colored leather notebook gifted by my vibrant friend Marianne, the kind you save for something special.
I considered a plethora of wellness topics but stayed true to my nonprofit’s three core practices: yoga, journaling, and plant-based eating, later adding prayer and nature-based practices for their powerful and accessible benefits. When I wrote the wellness chapters, I always began with research, preferring high-quality clinical studies published within the last five years and my own library.
I chose to handwrite, and not to record, interviews with the folks featured in the book to encourage vulnerability. It worked! Story-sharing took place on back porches, in living rooms, hotel alcoves, coffee shops, and over Zoom.
After gathering my research and interviews, I began shaping the chapters into a blend of personal stories, evidence-based practice, and practical tools. I am forever grateful to Val, a friend and retired professor who edited for content over zesty Thai food or coffee; and my retired high school English teacher friend, Teresa, who old-school edited for grammar on hardcopy printouts we mailed back and forth.
How long did it take you to write your book?
The process took three years from idea to completion. I spent a full year conducting personal interviews, then over a year refining the wellness practices to support the reader, and several months working with Fresh Water Press to edit and publish. This intentional pace gave the book depth and authenticity, while allowing me to keep my inner peace.
What was your favorite part about writing your book?
The personal stories! Interviewing the people featured was absolutely the most rewarding part. They shared intense true stories, showed real vulnerabilities, and allowed me to guide them through a grounding experience to move from chaos to calm. Their shared stories give the book its heart and strength.
What inspired you to interview the folks featured in the book?
I chose to interview people who deal with chaos regularly. Combat veterans, first responders, and medical professionals commonly face danger, uncertainty, and experience trauma events. This was intentional, so after reading Dial Down, readers will:
- Think, “If these strategies work for high-intensity people, they will work for me too!”
- Feel empowered to handle life’s chaos with practical, calming tools. Chaos isn’t something to fix or avoid; chaos is something to navigate.
- Implement a personalized wellness practice to reduce stress and restore balance.
Do you have a favorite message or learning in the book?
Yes—the final call to action. I invite the readers to become “wellness weavers” by integrating meaningful connections and simple practices into their daily life. Wellness isn’t something you purchase; it’s something you explore, apply, and live. I invite y’all to join me in becoming a wellness weaver!