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Embrace Your Calling as a Kingdom Writer Today

J.I. Soucie

Hmm… Kingdom Writers, huh? Well, I’m a writer and assuming “kingdom” means the Kingdom of God then yes, I am a Kingdom Writer. I always said that if it weren’t for God, I wouldn’t have the gift of writing. I wouldn’t be able to weave words, as they say.

Kingdom Writers is also a podcast. I discovered it over the last couple of days when looking at other writing podcasts. I wanted to share it with you. CJ and Shelley Hitz run the podcast. They also write their own content, including books, and have their own website.

Okay, so that was a big info dump, but I’m just so excited to share the information with you. If you write for God, I think you’ll enjoy the podcast.

I’m currently reading the book Kingdom Writers: Move Forward In God’s Call to Write. I just started it so I can’t say what it’s like just yet. If it’s anything like the podcast, I know I’ll be encouraged to keep writing. When I’m done with the book I’ll let you know my thoughts.

But for now, I’ll let you check out the links. I’ll let you make the decision for yourself if you’re a Kingdom Writer or not.

Take care and I’ll check back soon.

Janis

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My Journey as a Christian Writer: Embracing New Paths

J.I. Soucie

Well, here I am. Back to this blog. And I return solely as a Christian writer. Yes. God has been working with me for a long time. He has been leading me to this path. I finally surrendered.

I now have the task of reviewing my writing projects. I need to decide if I will still write them or not. I will update this blog accordingly. Some nonfiction topics I plan to write on are my weight loss journey, and my experience being a highly sensitive person. If there are other topics you think I might be interested, please leave a message in the comments or email me at janissoucie@gmail.com

I am excited about this path and curious about what is in store for me. God will reveal all in due time. I just have to be patient. I know I love research and writing nonfiction so I’m open to that. Then there is fiction as short stories which is fine. But with novel length works I’m still deciding if I want to pursue them. I can write novels. That’s not the question. It’s whether or not I want to deal with large projects like that or not. To be honest, I get overwhelmed and break down with large projects. I’m totally a lyric, poem, and short story kind of girl. Maybe I will try novella length but that is as far as I go, at least for now.

I think that’s all I have for now. Thanks for reading.

Janis

Reading, The Dawson Brothers

Author’s Update: The Dawson Brothers Editing Process and Literary Influences

J.I. Soucie

I have been busy this past week working on editing the first chapter in The Dawson Brothers. I have made good progress and have almost finished the chapter. I am at the end but had to add in a scene that would make things a little clearer.

My plans for this coming week are to finish the edits on Chapter 1 and move on to Chapter 2.

Along with working on my book, I have been watching Bethany Atazadeh and Shaelin Bishop of Shaelin Writes, both of whom are on YouTube. Bethany is an Indie Author and Shaelin is traditionally published. They both have some brilliant advice.

I will also do some reading in the Bible, and in Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. She writes YA fiction and adult fiction. When I read, I love to read a little in a nonfiction book in the morning and in the afternoon and evening I will read fiction. I like a little of both worlds I guess.

Are you writing a story? How are you doing on reaching your goals? When you’re finished, do you plan on being and Indie Author, or Traditionally Published Author?

I’d love to hear from you. Please a message in the comments below or send me an email at soucieji@gmail.com

Good luck on your writing and God bless,

JI Soucie

A Daughter's Reflection, Book News, The Dawson Brothers

Reconnecting with Writing: Latest Updates and Projects

J.I. Soucie

Where has the time gone? I was surprised to find out over a year has gone by since I posted an update. So much has happened over the last year that has taken me away from this blog as well away from my writing.

But I’m here to say I am back to stay and I hope you’re still with me. And I am sorry for the lag in my posting. From now on I will be posting every Sunday afternoon on the writing, editing, publishing, submitting, or reading I did the previous week.

Here is what has happened lately:

Submitted an story titled “Shadow of Illness” to Chicken Soup for the Soul. The article was about the dream I had when I was 4, where I saw my mother’s gravestone and the last three digits of her death date were the same. My mother passed away from cancer in 1999 when I was 17. I often have dreams that come true and this is just one of those things they were looking for.

Tentative release date for The Dawson Brothers is 2025, only I’m not exactly sure when. I have some editing and rewriting to do yet. When I have a firm release date I will let you know.

July 2024 Camp NaNoWriMo – I worked on a story called A Daughter’s Reflection, for which I set a goal of 30,000 words by the end of the month. I reached  25,400 words. So part one of the story is finished now I just have to start part two.

Coming Up

I am someone who loves paper and books and my bedroom is a testamate to this. It is crazy the piles of books I have and the piles of papers and notebooks I have. There are some days that are idea days where ideas for stories just keep coming. So I grab a notebook and write an idea down. Then I will grab another notebook and write another idea down and so. Yes, I love to write longhand over writing on a computer. Though I do take advantage of both.

My goal is too clean up my writing and digitize my notes. I need to minimize the clutter and free up much needed space. Then it will be organizing my notebooks and journals.

I think that is all I have for now.

Good luck on your creative endeavors and God bless.

JI Soucie

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A Quiet Night In May

J.I. Soucie

I’m sitting in my office working on this blog post. My husband is next to me playing a flight simulator game on his mac. While he’s busy flying, I’m at www.pw.org looking at writing contests they have posted.

Now I’m not usually one to try contests but I am curious to learn if I can win any. And how else will I know if I don’t try? I’ll keep you posted on which contests I enter and if I win or not. I’ll post the links too just in case you would like to try your hand at a contest or two.

Reed Magazine – Creative Nonfiction

North Street Book Prize

General Submissions: Print and Online
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Two Projects I’m Up To

J.I. Soucie

There are currently two projects that I am up to and have been working on in the last week or so. I have been reading up on The Craft of Christian Songwriting and trying my hand at writing lyrics.

Then instead of trying to flesh out an outline about fibromyalgia I just decided to write my story and then if it stays article length then that’s fine. But if it branches out into these other ideas I have, that’s fine too. Eventually, I will get this project done.

Some of these other ideas I was thinking of branching into are: married life, intimacy, and pregnancy, sleep, exercise, stress, depression and anxiety, overstimulation, driving, importance of support, coping, and then “what I’ve tried for pain”. If you have any ideas for more topics, or if you’d like to share your story, let me know. You can email me at soucieji@gmail.com

adventures of summer and bun bun

Summer and Bun Bun

J.I. Soucie

I’m sad to say this but Summer and Bun Bun may be put on hold for now. I asked my daughter and her friend if they would like to illustrate my stories for me and in turn gain a paycheck (from sale of books), and also earn experience they could put on their resumes.

Life is too stressful and hectic for them right now to take on this kind of project.

But I haven’t decided if I should just wait for them and maybe at some point in the future they would have time. Or if I should go forth with the search for a literary agent. It’s something I’ll pray about and think on. But I have a feeling I may just search out a literary agent. I’ll let you know what I do.

Until next time…

Take care.

adventures of summer and bun bun

The Adventures of Summer and Bun Bun Update

J.I. Soucie

It’s been far too long since I posted on my blog. But I had to get some things straight. Like a new URL since my old one was snatched up. WordPress changed a few things that I am still getting used to, but in all, we’re good and I can move forward.

The Adventures of Summer and Bun Bun picture book series is still unpublished. I’m in the process of looking for a literary agent. It sure isn’t easy but I’m not giving up. If you have any tips do you feel like sharing? I’m using the Guide to Literary Agents to help me.

There isn’t much to say in this update. So I will close for now.

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The Adventures of Summer and Bun Bun

J.I. Soucie

It has been several months since I have written on this blog. COVID-19 hit and like everyone else our little worlds have been flipped upside down. Our kids were homeschooled so that gave me less time to work on my writing and write on this blog. But I have been able to find some time at night while my husband puts our son to bed. I have time to do some writing, even if it’s only for a half an hour. A little progress is still progress.

So, what am I working on now? As you can tell by the title of this post the title is The Adventures of Summer and Bun Bun. Summer is the name of my daughter and I wrote these eight stories based on my daughter when she was two and while she carried around her pink and white rabbit she called Bun Bun. In the stories they go for a walk, go to church, go to school, go to the beach, go to the dentist, go to the doctor, go to the library, go to the zoo, ride a pony and visit a museum.

Most of the stories are done and just need another run through for any mistakes. The last story I have to write is where they visit a museum.

I am thinking of writing another story involving Summer and Bun Bun where Summer gets a baby brother.

I’m not sure where I’m going to go from there. I have some brainstorming to do.

That’s all for now. Take care everyone and stay safe!

Janis

P.S. Before I forget again, I am planning on having this stories published under my pen name KJ Daniels. I figure it’s an easier name for kids to pronounce.

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Trouble with Motivation

J.I. Soucie

Dear Janis,

Do you have any advice on motivation?? I really need to get my sugar back down, but always tired and achy these days and find it difficult to get things done. – Rose

Dear Rose,

If you can find things that excite you like maybe trying something new that might help. I have found I’ve been in a rut with my writing but when I started changing things up like started writing for video games and started an advice column, I am enjoying my writing more. Is there anything you can change up that might end up motivating you in the end?

Dear Janis,

Not sure, been trying to do more sewing now. Making baby things for the coming grandchild in July, and trying to get my letters answered. Maybe if I concentrate more on those and shut the computer off for a good part of the day?

Dear Rose,

Yes. It can be freeing to shut the computer off for a day, or part of the day. You would be surprised what you would get accomplished.

Dear Janis,

Will give that a try. Going off now 🙂

Best of luck, Rose!