Tag: historical fiction

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

november nano

Back After a Long Hiatus

J.I. Soucie

I back after some time apart from my blog. I didn’t plan it. It just kind of happened with caring for a 3 year old and managing my own health. My doctor’s appointments are slowly dwindling which is helping to give me more time to blog and to write.

Writing, yes, I am back to it. I have a few projects up my sleeve like to edit (PROJECT 1) Facade which is a book I finished during this year’s Camp NaNo and is over 70,000 words.

PROJECT 2 – Then I am working on a story called Where or Where is my Baby Gone? Which is about my nephew who longs for a family and finally meets the right woman whom he marries and has children with, but shortly after on his biking to work he is hit by a car and killed.

PROJECT 3 – Research historical fiction book on Sackets Harbor, NY and finish writing the story.

PROJECT 4 – Read through print out of journal entries from 2007 to find information on environmental and food allergies and gluten intolerance to write a story on gluten intolerance and how it changed my life.

PROJECT 5 – Write my story of living with fibromyalgia.

Well, there I think that is about I have for projects but the ones I am currently working on right now is PROJECT 2 and PROJECT 4.

I was doing NaNo this November (2019) but I haven’t been able to. I’ve written some days and plugged in my word count but I was just too exhausted to do it. That’s one thing with having fibromyalgia I always feel tired but some days are worse than others so it makes it hard to do the things I really want to do. But I at least try and make an effort.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back later with some updates.

Facade, november nano

NaNo Prep – End of Day 1

J.I. Soucie

Yesterday I had set out to rework my story Facade, however, the new ideas I had for the story didn’t work out like I thought. It’s funny how ideas come to you, they sound great, and then when you try to work them into the story you realize the ideas were not as great as you thought. How frustrating is that?!

The ideas I had would have called for a major rewrite of my story which would allow me to use this story for NaNoWriMo. Thing is the ideas would change the story so much that a major plot would be eliminated and therefore all the action and suspense that went with it. I would have been left with maybe a beginning of a story but a HUGE whole after that. I had nothing… And going over this made me realize I really liked the plot I already had and that it worked so much better.

So this means I will set this story aside. Thankfully, I already had another story idea in my bag. I pulled it out and started working on that last night. I’m liking it so far. I don’t have a title yet, but it takes place in the early 1900’s in South Hampton, England. I am thinking of the title “The Three Sisters”, but I think that will be a place holder as it really doesn’t depict the message in my book. If you haven’t guessed already by the time, place, and prospective title of the story, the three sisters refers to the White Star Line luxury liners Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic. At least the Olympic and Titanic will have a part but not sure how far the story will go, or how much either ship will be involved.

Hmmm…. Thinking…. Thinking…. Lots to do so best get to it!

How are you coming along on your NaNo prep? Have you hit any road blocks? What do you do to overcome them? Feel free to leave comments below. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

God bless!

Facade, november nano

NaNo Day 30 – I won!!!

J.I. Soucie

Yep! I did it!!!! Man, I tell you I am sooo tired. I am seeing double trying to write this post right now. Exhaustion is taking hold.  I wrote over 50,000 words, but my story is not done yet! Good luck to everyone still trying to make that goal and CONGRATS to everyone who has made it!

November has been a challenging run by far and I admit, there were many times I wanted to give up because I doubted. Doubt and fear can ruin a lot. I must learn to never doubt again!

I’m heading off to bed!

Good night all!

 

Facade, november nano

NaNo Day 29 – On Board

J.I. Soucie

Wow! What a week it has been. The past few days have been pretty intense with doctor’s appointments, vet appointments, holiday preparation, then the big turkey day, Thanksgiving and finally here I am . Back to the blog. There have been a few nights I wasn’t able to reach the minimum word count due to exhaustion, but getting a few hundred words in was progress! Still, I have today and tomorrow left to reach the goal of 50,000. I am looking to go over, but the way I feel right now with exhaustion I’ll be happy to cross the finish line. I’m gonna try!! So I best get off here and get going.

Current Word Count At 10:23 AM EST: 47,963

 

Facade, november nano

NaNo Days 22 & 23 – Didn’t & Did

J.I. Soucie

For NaNo Day 22 I didn’t make the word count. I feel asleep at my computer again. This Lyrica is kicking my butt! Just a side effect that is said to go away over time. I hope it does. Just hope it helps with the fibromyalgia pain.

So this morning, the 23rd day of NaNoWriMo, I decided to try writing in the morning instead of the evening. And guess what! I got my word count in!!! Yess! Still have to plug it into the NaNo sit but I’ll do that when I know I am done writing for the day.

Finally in my story, things are getting pretty heated and my main character is about to get the surprise of his life! And it’s not necessarily a good surprise either. It is something that will change his life forever.

Can’t wait to get back to that scene so I am off!

Good luck!

 

Facade, november nano

NaNo Days 20 & 21 – Round Up

J.I. Soucie

The past two days I hadn’t done my usual blog post before my NaNo writing and then one after I was finished. I’m not sure how many realized that, but that’s okay. The past few nights I had been staying up until like 2 in the morning trying to get ahead on my word count because I know I have two doctors appointments, a vet appointment and plus preparations for Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Eve, cooking on Thanksgiving and UGH! So much! but it all has to be done.

And three days after that, is my daughter’s birthday and I need through a party. And the following day, gluten free cupcakes at school. But alas, my daughters birthday and the cupcakes at school are in December, so I guess that doesn’t count. But it is still on my mind.

So yes, for the past couple of days I have either met or exceeded my word count to make my current word count 40,195.

Time to go get some tea and pray before another writing session.

Good luck!

 

Facade, november nano

NaNo Day 19 – Slumped Again

J.I. Soucie

Number 19

I didn’t make my word count for day 19! I wrote 759 words which is still much better than nothing. I guess fighting a cold is just wearing me out. I fell asleep at my computer again!!! Grrr!

So yeah, I guess sleepiness is an issue, yet I go to bed and don’t sleep well because I didn’t get my full word count in.

I am wondering if part of the reason I have been falling asleep at my computer is that I am bored, or dread sitting at it and typing. I think I need to change it up a bit and write long hand. Yeah, I did mention it in one of my last posts and did have the intentions of doing it, but never did. This time, I mean it. I have everything set to do so. I have never written long hand for NaNo before so we’ll see how things go.

How are you doing on your word count? Any tips or tricks you’ve discovered to help yourself though NaNo?

 

 

Facade, november nano

NaNo Day 19 – Keepin’ On

J.I. Soucie

Number 19

NaNo Day 19…ugh! My mind is running a big sluggish at the moment. It would seem I caught my daughter’s cold. I’ve had  a sore throat for a few days and this morning when I tried to talk my voice would crack. So I’ve been feeling more run down than usual, but it won’t stop me from trying to reach my word count.

I have dinner to go make, then usual nighttime routine before my writing time begins. Last night both twins made it to Memphis. The unexpected event I had thought was going to happen has not happened yet. Really need to make something happen here.

I feel like my story is dragging a bit before I get to the bigger events. I can’t focus too much on that right now though. That will have to come with the editing later.

I’m off for now. Dinner time!