J. Soules

Location: Chicago, IL / U.S.A.

Question:  How long have you been writing?

     I have been writing as a hobby for a long time but began seriously considering it as a career option just a couple of years ago. I’m a lawyer by training, which I hated, and left law to see if I could pursue writing.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

     First book (actually a short story) published is called “The Best Fucking Panna Cotta.”

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

     I self-published it on Kindle.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

     This story is about what happened to me when I decided to leave law and pursue writing. The judgment from those around me was astounding. This was during the recession (late 2000’s) and everyone was telling me how foolish I was to give up a new job offer at a law firm. I just didn’t want to live a life hating every moment I was at work. The most vocal of these oppositions was from my boyfriend at that time. It was very difficult and heart-breaking to write about. The title makes sense when you read the story to the end.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

     It is available on Amazon Kindle store.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

     I’ve self-published 3 stories so far, one more to go up very soon. Currently, I’m working on two different novels.

Question:  List all of your titles=

The Best Fucking Panna Cotta

OCD and Gynecology

First Dates in the Second City, Vol. 1

**First Dates in the Second City, Vol. 2 (to be up on Kindle by end of January 2016').

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

     I’m currently focusing on a semi-biography of my grandmother and my mother. Amazing story and I cannot give too much away, but they’ve been through a lot. They lived through a war, poverty, starvation, kidnapping, hand grenade attack, terrible marriage, so much more. It’s been an emotional roller coaster to write this book.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

     The one I’m about to publish on Kindle is the Volume 2 of my First Dates in the Second City series. As a single woman in Chicago, I’ve been on many first dates that never turned into a second date for various reasons. I’ve compiled the most shocking and crazy ones and wrote about them. They’re humorous and a bit crazy. The dating life of a single woman in a big city is VERY HARD!

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

     I write about my experiences and what I know and I think a lot of single women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s can relate to these stories. These stories talk about the hard choices that women make about career, life, goals, love, and just juggling life alone in a big city which sometimes can be very confusing and scary.

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR:  I have found that writing about your own personal struggles, goals, and learning experiences can usually help a lot of other people.  I also find it interesting that you chose writing over law, when I'm sure it cost you a lot to go to law school.  I hope that in the end that writing works out for you, because just like you I find that I am more myself when I am creating and writing something.  Good Luck!