From Washington politics to Redlands: Jen Thompson shares journey behind "Wild Pivot"

A near-fatal car accident during a 2002 U.S. Senate campaign marked a turning point in Jen Thompson's career as a Republican political strategist, eventually leading her to walk away from Washington, D.C., and reconsider the beliefs and ambitions that had shaped her life.

More than two decades later, Thompson, now chief of staff at the University of Redlands, shared that journey with nearly 200 people during an Oct. 1 launch of her debut memoir, "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten," at the Contemporary Club in Redlands.

"Wild Pivot is a book that is all about politics, that has absolutely nothing to do with politics," Thompson told the audience.

The memoir explores Thompson's decision to leave behind a carefully constructed identity in politics and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Thompson said she hopes her memoir will resonate with readers regardless of their political beliefs.

"If you're a Republican, you are welcome here. If you're a Democrat, you are welcome here. And if you absolutely cannot stand politics and politicians, you are welcome here."

During a conversation with University of Redlands President Krista Newkirk, Thompson reflected on the experiences that led her to leave politics, the personal transformation that followed and the eight drafts it took to bring her memoir to publication.

Before coming to Redlands six years ago, Thompson worked as a congressional lawyer, managed a nationally watched U.S. Senate campaign and served as a lawyer-lobbyist. She also worked as a political commentator for NBC and ABC affiliates in Richmond, Virginia.

Thompson reflected on how differently her life unfolded from those of her former colleagues in Washington, D.C., some of whom went on to work for Donald Trump, Kanye West and Ron DeSantis. "I look at their trajectory in one direction and my own in total polar opposite," she said. "If the car accident had never happened, that's exactly what I would have been doing. But I also believe life always catches up to each of us."

Thompson said the book is ultimately about recognizing the patterns that shape people's lives and finding the courage to change direction.

"What [my memoir] is about," she said, "is how we are wired to act in certain ways until we have glimmers of waking up."

Eight drafts and a journey to publication

Thompson completed eight drafts before she felt ready to share her story.

"I felt like I finally had the courage to [publish it]," she said.

Working with an editor, Thompson revised the order and pacing of the book's vignettes to better reflect her personality.

"I'm a very fast-paced, energetic person, and the book feels like me. It moves at a quick clip," she said.

The memoir also explores Thompson's changing relationship with faith, including a silent retreat that helped her rediscover it, as well as her experiences with misogyny and power struggles in politics.

Thompson uses the figures of the Monster and the Golden Goddess to represent the competing forces of fear and love that influence people's decisions.

Thompson said she secured a publishing contract three weeks after best-selling author Parker J. Palmer received her manuscript.

"Wild Pivot" was published by She Writes Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

"I hope that my book can contribute to the ability for all of us to ask ourselves the difficult questions, so that we become the best and most whole versions of ourselves," Thompson said.

Thompson is scheduled to join the memoir book club at Redlands' Frugal Frigate bookstore in November to discuss "Wild Pivot" with readers.

More information about the book is available at jenthompsonwritesthings.com. 

Substack: jenthompsonwritesthings.substack.com

Instagram: @i.am.jen.thompson