I have lots to say!

I feel like I have so much to say today! It's been a little while since I've given any updates about "Just Maybe" (my first novel) and I have some good news. I sent in my contract and my book is in the editing process right now, (squeal!!) and, I got to send in the blurb and my own cover vision yesterday. I'm not giving anything away, though I really want to share everything with you guys! But, I think it's best if it's a surprise. I'll be releasing the synopsis/blurb and cover reveal at some point before it's published--so keep following my Instagram/Facebook posts for more details.

The publisher said that my book should be on the shelves sometimes between January and March!! That's so soon and I literally wanted to jump with joy when I read her e-mail! I feel like my dreams are coming true! Even if my book doesn't sell that many copies, I'm just proud to have it out there. I'll be able to hold my own book, in my hands! I've written the second book, and it's awaiting a decision from the review board so I'll know more about that soon, too. AND, i'm close to 40,000 words in my third novel (separate of the "Just" series but it's so good!). I'm probably 3/4 of the way done with it, i'd say i'll probably have close to 20,000 more words in it which is longer than my first two novels (so exciting and proud of myself). It's strange to feel so proud of myself but I really am. I'm proud. I've written (almost) three full novels. Three! That's three completely, orginial, creative stories from my brain. That's a big deal, to me at least!

Anyway, stay tuned for more information guys! I love that you're all following me on this author path, it's fun and exciting (even if a bit slow in the process). Also, if you haven't already, PLEASE follow me on my author facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/authorsj.sylvis :)

Lastly, I know I mentioned that I'm writing my third fiction novel above, but I'm also working on something else. It's not fiction, it's actually non-fiction and it has to do with being a Military spouse. I know there are a lot of military spouses who love reading, and there's always new military spouses joining in on the Military Family so I decided to finally take my Grandma's advice and write a book about my experiences being a military wife. I've only wrote a few chapters of it, and I may or may not publish it but I wanted to share the first chapter with you. It's somewhat funny when I think of all the things I've been through that relates to the military and all the obstacles it has to offer (I love the military and our life, so don't take that the wrong way). The military has its ups and downs and I try to look on the comical side of everything.

Enjoy! (Also, I'm well aware that my grammar may not be perfect, but my toddler is awake now and I can't really focus on much of anything while she's destroying the house, haha!)

From North to South (this title may change, I end up changing titles of books like 500 times, LOL).
By S.J. Sylvis
Copyright © by S.J. Sylvis

A shower curtain. A pretty, crisp white, plastic-smelling shower curtain. That was the only thing on my mind after we made the long trip from Ohio to North Carolina. I was sticky and sweaty with the humidity of the late August weather and my hair and face were greasy from being stuck in my tiny car for the last twelve hours; actually, I take that back…it was more like sixteen hours due to the slow-moving U-Haul that my husband had to drag through the West Virginia mountains. It was like Thomas the Train trying with all his might trying to pull an overly, heavy load on the railroad tracks. I’m still baffled (five years later) that the U-Haul didn’t blow up. But, anyway when we reached our tiny, brick and white town-house right there off base, I was elated. I was over the freaking moon! After moving across several states, that feeling of having your own home with your husband (who lived in Japan for two years without you, yeah we’ll get to that later)…there really aren’t any words. We excitedly stepped into the house, holding hands in newly we style, and ran around, looking at all our rooms and the size of our bathrooms. We were like little kids on Christmas morning, looking through all of our gifts, squealing with delight. Once we carried our suitcases inside, I remember looking right at my husband and saying, “I need a shower.” That’s all I wanted, a simple shower. I wanted to wash off the move, the traveling, the sweat, all of it. I wanted it gone so I could unpack and start decorating my new house.

            As I climbed the twenty—or so stairs, and reached our rather large bathroom, I gasped. I thought, ‘Holy shit, I can’t shower. I don’t have a shower curtain.’ I almost cried. I almost went into my five-year-old tiny self and cried because I didn’t have a damn shower curtain! Yeah, sure. I could have taken a bath and I did end up taking one, but I hate baths. I hate sitting in my own filthy dirty water, and let me tell you what…I was dirty! And I still felt dirty after taking a simple bath in my brand new, clean house. I promised myself in that moment, that I’d always remember a shower curtain the next time I moved. And there would be a next time, because my husband is in the military and if there’s one thing you know about the military, it’s that we move around A LOT.

            Well, guess what? Six months later, we moved into a new rental house. And guess what else? I still had a bad bout with the damn shower curtain! My dear husband, how I love him so, but when he was in charge of packing up our bathroom, guess what he did? What any eager person would do, he packed sloppy. He took the shower curtains and very hastily wrapped them in a big ball and shoved them into a plastic Walmart bag. Yep, the wet, slippery shower curtains fresh from our showers early that morning, stuffed into a Walmart bag. So, guess what? After moving very carelessly packed cardboard boxes (my doing and his, leave us alone! We were excited to have this cute new house.) full of our stuff into our new house, I was gross. I was sweaty and exhausted and after setting our bed up in the tiny 1000 square foot house, I wanted to shower. I wanted to wash the move off my sticky, smelly skin and when I went into the bathroom to shower, I was annoyed. I had to go look for the shower curtains in the numerous boxes piled in the house. After what seemed like hours, I finally found the bathroom boxes (what were placed in the kitchen, of all places) and I quickly opened them up, cutting my finger in the process and guess what I found? Wet. Mildewy. Slippery. Gross shower curtains smashed in a Walmart bag. I was devastated and then brought back to the memory of moving the first time when I didn’t even have these shower curtains that I speak so poorly of. I couldn’t believe that I forgot to buy brand new shower curtains for this house before actually moving all these boxes in!

            So, the moral of the first chapter in this book is—BUY BRAND NEW SHOWER CURTAINS BEFORE EVEN PLACING YOUR SUITCASES IN THE CAR. You’ll thank me later.