Tag: writing

Uncategorized

The Adventures of Summer and Bun Bun

Janis 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.

Camp NaNoWriMo

Doing Well on the Writing Wave

Janis I. Soucie

Lately I have been doing well with writing and outline my next book, but not so good with keeping up with my posts for my blog.

I have about 50,000 words on my story Facade but it’s not finished yet, I have the rest of the story outlined and Camp NaNo is coming up in just a few days so I hope to finish the story then. I have no idea how long it will be but I’m curious to find out.

The main character is Wesley who is based off of Elvis Presley. His brother Keith is the older brother who in Elvis’ live did not survive. But the twin brother did survive in my story. Wesley could sing and Keith could not so there was a lot of jealousy in the book. Even though Keith discovered his drawing ability it was not enough for him and he’s so enraged he almost kills his brother. And that is about as far as I’m letting on. lol I don’t want to reveal too much.

That book is called Facade and my next book is called The Forgiving which is turning out to be a Christian fiction book so far. I hadn’t much in my story until I used Rory’s story cubes the original box and the actions box. I now have other ideas and actions to work with.

And I think you may have all heard about James Patterson’s Masterclass well I took that and I have been inspired to change some of my ways. Like go commercial publishing instead of self publishing. So once I have Facade written and edited a couple of times, I’m going to seek a literary agent. Yeah sure I may get rejected several times like 30 or so, but that’s okay. Because other writers have done it before me and made it. I believe I can do it too.

So Camp NaNo here I come and here’s hoping to finish my first fictional story!

Writing Updates

Break

Janis I. Soucie

I hate to say it but I have decided to take a break from writing and concentrate on my family. It’s just been hard trying to find time to write or edit my work when my time has been demanded by other means. I’m still here however and I will be reading up on the writing world and I’ll share what I find interesting so please don’t think I have stop blogging.

Thank you all for your support. You have been a loyal group and I pray you will still hang in there while I go through this lull. I am always here if  you have something you want to talk about just feel free to leave a comment or email me at jisoucie@hotmail.com.

Writing Challenge, Writing Updates

Writing for Kids

Janis I. Soucie

Okay. So I have been told time and again that I should write children’s stories.

There’s just one problem. I haven’t been reading children’s books to know what’s out there even how to go about writing one.

So if you read children’s stories from like grade 5 or 6 on  up to young adult please leave the name of the author or authors you most enjoy and I’ll be happy to check them out.

I’m very excited to be venturing into this area of writing so I can’t wait to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment or send an email to jisoucie@hotmail.com

Let me know where your emailing from. I’m curious to see where in the world my readers are located.

So send me your requests today! I can’t wait!

Mental health, Writing Updates

Writing and Depression

Janis I. Soucie

I haven’t been writing for a few days. I must admit that depression has rolled in and I don’t feel like doing anything. I struggle to think straight or care about anything. I’m really indifferent, or numb to what goes on around me, or what I do during the day. I could stare at a wall or just sleep all day and it wouldn’t matter to me.

But there is a part of me that is still thinking about writing. Even thought during a depression I struggle to physically write, my mind is still working on projects, or trying to at least. This is when my depression hits its deeper levels.

There are times I’m depressed but not deeply, so I can still function enough to write something. Those are the days I go easy on myself when I do decide to write and just try to get something down. I don’t force myself to do a lot because I know it won’t take much to make my depression worse.

Writing and depression…how do I make it work? Well, it’s tough. When depression is bad and I am so exhausted I just sleep or stare at the TV I don’t bother to write on those days. I have to wait for the depression to abate a little to a point where I have more energy and more clarity of though and then I sit myself down at the computer and type out a blog post, or try something that isn’t so labor intensive. Then on days where I’m feeling really good, I’ll dive right into my latest project. It’s about working with my body and its illness and trying to make things work. So I have to really be receptive to how I feel, which I’ve been told that I am anyway so it works out.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m happy to hear from my readers. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Camp NaNoWriMo, Children's Stories, Uncategorized

Quiet Solitude

Janis I. Soucie

It’s after 10PM and everyone is in bed asleep. Even the dogs. I should be. Having a newborn I should be sleep when he sleeps but it’s so hard when the writing bug has come and won’t leave! Not that I want it to, mind you. I have one project in the works right now and thinking about another one I am planning to write for Camp NaNo in April. I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy even thinking about doing this with a baby. And no I’m not one of those that does fine on little sleep. I do best on 9. But I am finding that even a little bit of writing, helps me cope with the stresses of everyday life. Plus, it’s fun and I enjoy it. With only 500 words as my word count goal, I think I should be able to reach that each day. We’ll find out!

I’ll be writing a short story this time around. Fantasy like. 

How many of you will be writing this April?

Will you be writing fiction, nonfiction, novel, or short story?

I would love to hear from so feel free to leave me a note in the comments.
Bye for now!

Snow Day

Snow Day Inspiration

Janis I. Soucie

My daughter is home from school today and my little man is 4 months old today. It is hard on these days when I have both kids. Trying to work through the noises from the TV and my daughter playing. But these moments can also be moments of creative inspiration! I never know what will pop into my head while watching my daughter play or watching a movie with her. My little guy can do the same thing only his inspiration comes with noises and the funny faces he makes.

For those writers who have children, do you find that you draw inspiration, even a small amount from your children? Has any of this inspiration ended up in your stories? We all know how much we can be inspired, but just how much of that inspiration do we actually use?

I admit, I’m guilty of not using a lot of inspiration that comes my way. I try to write down all the ideas I like. Well, I guess I also write down the ones that aren’t my favorite just in case I change my mind later, which I have done.

When you have a Snow Day (no school), what fun things do you do? How much writing are you able to get done? How do you manage your writing with kids running around?

I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment or feel free to email me at voice4butterflies@gmail.com. Also, if you’d like, please also send prayer requests.

Wishing you all a day full of less pain and good mobility!

God bless!

Memoir, Reflections of the Heart

In the Morning Hours

Janis I. Soucie

The early morning hours beckon me to awake. I’m not sure why but here I am taping on the keys to my keyboard. These seem to be the the hours where creativity kicks in. And all before the birds and sun awaken.

It is 3:46AM EST on this last day of November, and I have a couple of hours before I have to get my daughter up for school. These hours are mine and so the words must pour forth from my soul for I cannot hold them back. I have much to say on many topics. I have a couple of articles I’d like to write and then work on my memoir, Reflections of the Heart.

In Reflections of the Heart, I share my story of losing my mother as a teenager at 17 and how my faith in God saw me through the pain of loss and moving forward with my life even though it was difficult. I want to write this story to give hope to those children and adolescence who have lost either one or both parents. You are not alone and there is hope. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel of grief.

Have you lost a parent while in your teenage years, or younger? What things did you do to see you through the grief and to help get yourself back on your feet? I’d love to hear your stories if you are comfortable sharing them with me. If you don’t want to leave a comment you can email me at jisoucie@hotmail.com.

Also, if you’re a writer, when are you most creative, early morning, mid morning, late morning, afternoon, evening?

My best to you in all you do today! God bless!

J. Soucie

Writing Tips

6 Key Steps To Finding Your Passion As A Writer

Janis I. Soucie

Have you ever had a love of writing but at some point, find it died out and writing became more of a chore. Where did the enjoyment go anyway? The following article has some good tips to getting that passion back!

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By definition, writers are passionate creatures. You can be an exquisite writer by tapping into the passion of being yourself.

Source: 6 Key Steps To Finding Your Passion As A Writer | Write to Done

Memoir, Reflections of the Heart

Fear? What fear?

Janis I. Soucie

Alright…I have to admit fear has been a big factor and has kept me from writing my book and yes, even writing on this blog and my other blog Voice 4 Butterflies. But over the last several months, there have been some changes and I am learning to kick fear out the door and write anyway. I can’t tell you how freeing it has been.

Fear was making me think any idea I had wouldn’t be good enough, or I’d second guess the idea I had going and completely stop and go to something else. And so I would jump around to other projects and could never focus on one.

You may have noticed this in my blog posts how I’ll talk about one project, and the next post will be about something else, and the next one a totally different project. Wow! Talk about a head spin! I probably left you confused as well as myself. I’m sorry for that.

I guess it’s just part of a writer’s journey in figuring things out for herself and working through creative anxiety and learning how to squelch it and move forward regardless. I think we all have to deal with this at some point. If not, that’s great! I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. It’s tough to go through and then really focus on one project and go through it no matter the anxious thoughts one has. Do you deal with creative anxiety? If you do, how do you work through it?

For me it’s about prayer and leaving fear behind when I set out to do something. When I start to feel it I do my best not to accept it. I really had to learn that I could allow myself to feel fear, or say “No! Not today not ever again!” and move one with my project.

So…you may be wondering what project I have jumped back to this time.

I’ve gone back to working on Reflections of the Heart which was previously titled A Daughter’s Reflection. Reflections of the Heart is a tentative title. If you have forgotten what it’s about it’s okay. As much as I have probably confused everyone I don’t blame you.

Reflections of the Heart is a memoir based on my experiences and journal entries as a 17 year-old who finds out her mother has late stage ovarian cancer. The story takes you on my journey to learning the horrific news, to being my mother’s main caretaker, to losing my mother, and then trying to find my way through grief, discovering who I am, and stepping out in faith. My faith was a huge part in how I got through everything. It may be a sad story it is also an enlightening one. I have over 1400+ words done in this rewrite and that’s not counting what I wrote longhand this morning. After this post, I’ll be going back to writing. The writing bug has hit big time and I’m relying on God’s strength to help me fight any fear that may try to deter me again. With my fists up, I’m going in!