Greetings, friends. I’m moving on with sharing the short stories that truly jumpstarted my writing career. The last time I shared Jewel. At the same time, I wrote two more short stories for the contest, so in June of 2019, I published three total. I’m sharing another of those today.
A Soldier’s Children was born from a dream. I have no idea where it came from, but I dreamed about these two girls, one older and one younger, in an amusement park. In the dream, the younger one was kidnapped, but that wasn’t what I wanted for this story.
So, I went with the idea that the two girls had been abandoned by their mother to fend for themselves, while their military father was missing and presumed dead.
The older girl took her responsibilities seriously in taking care of and providing for her younger sister. She was happy that the owner of the amusement park let her work there selling tickets, even though she was only fourteen.
I won’t spoil the story or tell you how it goes, but the strength and fortitude Jennifer embodied was the main thing I wanted to get across. She was wise beyond her years and went to great lengths to make sure no one knew they’d been left alone for fear the authorities would intervene and put them in foster care.
If you like a heartwarming story with a happy ending, you might like this book. I’d be honored if you’d give it a try.
BLURB:
At the tender age of fourteen, Jennifer shoulders the full responsibility of running a household and caring for her seven-year-old sister. It’s bad enough that their father is lost at war in Afghanistan, but troubles multiply when their so-called mother abandons them for another man. Hardships and struggles are constant companions. Family is whatever Jennifer can make it. That’s the way the cards have been dealt, and that’s the way she’ll play them.
This strong young girl meets every obstacle head-on, while never losing hope for a better tomorrow.
Hi Jan,
I cannot buy this with the link you gave me. If you have another that would allow me to buy in the U.K. I could get your book A Soldiers Children.
Sorry you couldn’t find it, Joy. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldiers-Children-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B07TMR8LQH/
Dreams often inspire, Jan. Many of my poems are written in that way. This sounds like an interesting story. Thanks for the nudge.
I love that, Balroop! Dreams can be powerful and open the mind to creativity. Thank you for stopping by!
Sounds like a powerful story, Jan. It’s on my kindle. A little backed up right not, but I will get there!
Lol, Joy. I stay backed up. I have 248 books waiting for me on my Kindle and still I add more. 🙂
Ohh wow. Stories written from dreams are quite significant. I’ve had dreams turn into stories that were highly rewarding for me. Carl Jung says that the function of dreams is to restore our psychological balance. So, writing the essence of a dream into a story can bring about healing or some closure. One writer told me it can help heal ancestral guilt that we carry from family. I gotta read your story now!
I never knew the Carl Jung theory about the function of dreams. Makes sense to me in some crazy way. Thank you so much for your comment and for your interest in the story!
This story sounds fantastically poignant, Jan. It’s on my list now, and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Wonderful to hear. Thank you, Tim!
I remember loving this story when I read it! I’m happy you are sharing it again, Jan!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Both great stories, Jan! Soldiers Children was one that stuck with me in a good way xo
Thank you for the kind words, Denise!
On the reader Jan. I’ll soon be reading Jewel. 🙂
Awww, thank you, Debby! I hope you enjoy.
I never remember my dreams and this definitely sounds like a story-worthy one. Congrats,
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
I knew I had to write these girls’ story, Sandra. But I didn’t want to write it like the dream because that was more of a horror story. Thank you so much for stopping by!
😊
I’ve also gotten ideas from dreams, Jan. Sounds like you adapted yours into a captivating story.
I knew I had to write a story about these two girls, but I didn’t want it to be a horror story like my dream was. 🙂 I think our story ideas can literally come from anywhere. Thank you so much for stopping by!
The basis for the story was literally deliverd to you. Amazing!
Yes, it was. I often think some of these stories come from someone who has passed onto the other side, but want their story told so they look for open channels. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, that is a wonderful thought, connects even stronger with the book, and gives the story so much more meaning. Really wonderful!
It sound like an interesting story. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you, Priscilla. I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like a good story. After ww2 my dad came home and bought me an ice cream cone then i never saw him for 39 years till i searched for him. Then 4 yrs later him and his 2 brothers passed away.
Wow! This showed up as anonymous, so I don’t know who wrote the comment, but that is quite a story. It seems to be a story that fiction is made of, only it’s true. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Let me know who you are, please.
This is a story that appeals to me. Just grabbed it. Love that it’s KU.
Thank you so much, Jacqui. Yes, I have all of my short stories in KU. I sincerely hope you enjoy the short read!
A great idea for a story. It’s now on my Kindle. When I was a child, I thought if anything happened to our parents, I would look after my little brothers and the farm.
Awww, that is so sweet, Darlene, and how unusual for a child to have those thoughts. You were obviously very responsible. Thank you for picking up the story. I hope you enjoy it!
This is a beautiful story, Jan.
Thank you, Robbie!