October 4, 2023 – 08:44

An engineer launches a fictional novel inspired by his expatriation to India

By: Jean-Philippe Morin

David Tessier lived in India for four years with his family for engineering work and often wrote travel journals while there. Several years later, Sorelois decided to launch his first fiction novel, Amazing Indiaa little inspired by his experiences abroad.

“Travel diaries are the basis of this novel,” explains David Tessier. I wrote notebooks for colleagues and family, it was much appreciated. I wrote a total of 17. People told me: you should write novels… I took them at their word! »

However, writer Sorel gave himself a challenge, namely to write fiction inspired by his adventures. The main character is named André and he goes to India with his family. He also wrote travel diaries to his loved ones, only through interesting coincidences, elements of his writing were little by little projected into real life. Therefore, André notices that someone is playing a trick on him and he will try to find the culprit… to the detriment of his mental health.

After expatriating to France for four years, David Tessier returned to Quebec for another four years. Later, he emigrated again with his family, this time to India from 2007 to 2011, to work in the engineering office at Alstom Énergies, the company that employed him at the time. This novel has been on his mind since he returned to Quebec about ten years ago.

“Meanwhile, I built two houses, raised three children, acted in plays… Meanwhile, I wrote part of a novel. This is the fruit of hard work and I am very proud of it,” said the author, who said he found “amazing and tough” people there.

And trained engineers do not neglect efforts to achieve this. “I did a writing workshop with Culture Montérégie. I went to the Book Fair to learn about writing techniques and see how you can get a book published. I hired a text proofreader and a graphic designer for the cover. “This project has been in my head for a long time, I want it to be professional,” he assured.

Unfortunately, it failed to be published by the publisher. He therefore had the brilliant idea to indicate that it had been edited by Lhame-Èzon d’Heïdi-Syon (read aloud). “It’s just a flash!” I think only 3% of writers work at publishing houses. “I still try my best to attract readers, because I myself like to be captivated when reading books,” he concluded.

Launching on October 12

David Tessier will have a big launch of his book on October 12, in a 5 to 7 format at L’Annex, above the Le Fougasse restaurant. The author will be there to sell her book (for a $25 fee) and do signings, in addition to talking about the origins of her novel and reading a few excerpts. To get it, you can visit Grange à Houblon from October 12 or write to [email protected].