Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

IWSG: Just A Thought

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The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We post our thoughts on our own blog. We talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.  This group is all about connecting!   

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story.  We all love comments!

Remember, the question is optional!

August 6 question – What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

There are a lot of subjects I’d like to write about, but this certainly isn’t one of them. The publishing industry is a small world and I’m sure it has a long memory. A writer’s bad reputation (not being trustworthy, loyal, reliable, etc) or hard-to-get-along-with attitude might ruin it for them. Even someone who “talks” too much.

 I’ve seen things. And I’ve heard things. If there’s one thing I’ve always done, it’s keep my eyes and ears open.

 Be careful who you talk about and what you say in your blogposts, emails and on social media. When a publisher (or agent) considers you, they check you out.

 I do think writers have been slighted in a number of ways—and unless you’re a big name, you’re never paid what you’re worth. But that’s just my opinion.

 On another note, we’re in the middle of our packing and moving. Slow, miserable process.

 I haven’t written since before Christmas. I was hoping to have a month this summer to revise my Love Inspired Romance. Not going to happen.

 Goal: before Christmas. (prayers going up and fingers crossed!)

 So, tell me, what’s everyone doing?

What kind of summer have you had?

School has started in a lot of places…what does that mean for you?

 I’ve been so involved in the move that I feel totally separated from my writing community. Not fun.

 Let me hear from you. And good writing!

IWSG Day: If Wishes Were Books!

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The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We post our thoughts on our own blog. We talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.  This group is all about connecting!   

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 2 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Natalie Aguirre, Cathrina Constantine, and Louise Barbour!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.  Remember, the question is optional!

July 2 question – Is there a genre you haven’t tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

My response:

A few years ago I got an idea I’d really love to write—a time travel. I jotted down some notes but that was as far as it went. However, the idea won’t leave me alone. I vacillate between rolling it around in my head and trying to ignore it because, as usually happens, someone else got a similar idea and they actually used it, wrote several books. I haven’t read them and I’m sure they’re different from my own idea but it was discouraging.

I have a theory that if we don’t grab our ideas immediately and start writing, God “shares” them with someone else. It’s happened to me way too often.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”. James 1:17  This verse directly declares that all good and perfect gifts originate from God, emphasizing His role as the ultimate source of blessing and provision. To me, that includes our ideas.

But back to the question:

I’ve written a time travel short story about a kid and his granny going back to her childhood but it seems incomplete—like just part of their story. Not sure what to do with it. It feels like it needs a true beginning, more of a middle, an ending. I’m just not sure. It takes me way too long to think and plot. I’m not sure how to fix that. (frowny face here because it’s a real problem.)

I’m intrigued by dual timelines where a character from the past connects with one in present day. I’ve read some of Robin Lee Hatcher’s books using dual timelines, also Rachel Hauck’s and Jaime Jo Wright’s books. I think that genre would be quite challenging since the timelines converge by the end of the novel, revealing a hidden connection and often solving a mystery.

When I was young I read historical novels all the time but eventually lost interest in them. Time travel and duel timelines would plunge me back into reading and writing it. Not sure I have the stamina for that depth of research.

Thoughts anyone?

On another note: we’re moving. Downsizing. Up to our ears in packing, sorting, decision-making.

It’s quite challenging to dispose of things that are dear to the heart but not needed. I’m certain there are lessons to be learned through the process but right now, I’m resistant.

More on that later.

Keep writing, my friends. Don’t give up.

IWSG: Writing Fears

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Today is IWSG Day! Author Alex J. Cavanaugh is the founder. Alex realized that the writing community offered an abundance of support and needed it too. This IWSG group acts as a form of therapy, letting writers post about situations where they need encouragement, or to offer words of encouragement to others.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!

May 7 question – Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?

After reading Feather Stone‘s response to the question, I deleted my post. She said it all. If you don’t love your writing, surrender … and then I read Pat Garcia, and I added my post back. Why not be honest and vulnerable. After all, that’s who I am.

My truest, easiest answer to this month’s thought-provoking question is …

My greatest fear is me and I’ve been writing and publishing for fifty years.  

Still, my fear is:

Making wrong decisions.

Publishing a horrible story with a big gaping hole in the plot.

Looking stupid to the entire writing and publishing community.

Proving to everyone I have no talent.

Being so successful that I have to promote.

Being so Unsuccessful that I have to promote.

Having to promote when I feel like an imposter.

Having to defend my work when sharks appear.

Being challenged by anyone and everything about anything and everything.

So I do nothing and there in lies the problem.

I do nothing.

Now and then I have a burst of boldness and submit a piece, query or do something out of the ordinary. I force myself…to be brave. Professional. As if I know what I’m doing.

That’s how I became a contributor to Southern Writers Magazine. A whisk of boldness overtook me and I responded to the publisher’s call. I was certain she’d reject me but she didn’t. In spite of my insecurities, I lasted for almost seven years.

And that’s how I became Director of a professional writing department at a regional college—overseeing courses for writers. I had to be asked three times before I accepted. I was certain I couldn’t do it—but I did.

I can cite other opportunities that came my way because of a “few and far between spurts” of boldness. I know I’m my worst enemy when it comes to writing and publishing. Oh, how I admire all of you brave writers out there. I wish I could throw caution to the wind and just do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it.

Manage?

I don’t manage. I wait for that spurt of boldness to penetrate my brain and move me forward.

I act on it before it disappears.

And then…

And then…

I wait to be shot down.

But let me encourage each of you to write, to act, to chase after those dreams. Don’t live in hesitation, questioning yourself as if sitting in a courtroom before a jury. Be bold–always.

And never give up.

 

 

IWSG: Harry Potter’s Invisible Cloak

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 The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We post our thoughts on our own blog. We talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. We discuss our struggles and triumphs and offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.  This group is all about connecting!   

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren,Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

Every month, we announce a question our members can answer.

March 5 question – If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

My response:
Some of you know I share a birthday with Harry Potter, July 31st. Well, I’ve always kind of envied him his invisible cloak. Oh, please, please let me wear his cloak for at least a weekend. Not JUST one day. What I could do with that cloak!
I’d sit in my favorite author’s office, maybe browse around while she clicked away on her next best seller. I’m sure she probably talks to herself. Most of us do. I might even look over her shoulder, take a peek at her rough draft. I have to wonder if her first draft is rougher than mine.
I’d “crash” writing retreats and listen to famous authors brainstorm and encourage each other. I need encouragement too! They’d never know I was there.
And oh! the wonderful conferences I could attend FREE OF CHARGE!
I’d definitely look over the shoulder of any editor or publisher who read my latest proposal. I’d like to learn what they really think. Surely they talk to themselves too. Did my first sentence grab her? How about my first chapter? Too slow? Too much backstory? How far did she get before she quit reading?
Just think, if I had Samantha’s twitchy nose and Harry’s invisible cloak, I’ll bet I could actually write and sell some books! Okay, I might need more than a weekend!

IWSG DAY: TRIGGERS IN BOOKS?

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It’s IWSG Day! Our members are blogging away, posting their thoughts on their own blogs, expressing struggles and triumphs, doubts and fears. You can go HERE  to read what they have to say.  Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. He saw a need for encouragement and he filled that need. On September 7, 2011, Alex launched the monthly blog posting of the IWSG and it has been going strong ever since.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp, Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.

The question is optional! 

January 8 question – Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?

I really can’t remember anyone I admired – well, on second thought, I can. A 6th grade Texas history teacher that disappointed me. But I was a dumb kid. I took everything at ‘face value’ back then. Believed everything I saw and heard. I don’t often make that mistake today. In fact, I’m probably a little too suspicious of everyone. So moving on …

You know I’ve had an agent for the past three or four years. We haven’t accomplished much. She’s been trying to sell my romantic suspense. I don’t like calling my book a romantic suspense. I much prefer labeling it a romantic mystery. Anyway my agent sent the proposal to four publishers: two didn’t like the subject matter since it has to do with bomb threats in a school. They said readers would find that a sensitive subject. The third publisher said I have no platform but she’d be willing to reconsider if I grow my mailing list and social media by 500+. That’s all well and good, but growing it isn’t my real problem – maintaining it is. Maintaining is tedious. And does that mean she expects those on my social media/mailing list to actually buy the book or just pass along info regarding my book?

The 4th publisher my agent sent the book to never responded. Evidently when one doesn’t respond that’s a NO. I think that’s ridiculous in the age of quick emails. All she needed to do is say “No thanks” to my agent and we’d mark them off the list. Instead, they’re just “hanging out there.”

So what do you think? Should this book be self-published even though it might trigger anxiety in parenting readers? I don’t have any triggers that I know of, at least nothing that’s reared its ugly head to date, so I can’t answer this question. I’ve tried to put myself in a parent’s place but I easily separate fiction from reality. This makes me wonder about other triggers: like unwanted pregnancies and hidden babies, and divorce, and abuse, and car wrecks and anxiety in general, cold blooded murder that’s in most mysteries, alcoholism and death. Are those things triggers for readers?

Any thoughts on what to do with my book with bomb threats in the school and two explosions outside the school? I know of two authors who have books out using this backdrop but their books came out before school terrorism got so bad. My characters aren’t harassing the school; rather someone IN the school.

I normally read the blurb on the back of a book. If there’s something that doesn’t appeal to me, I don’t buy/read the book. Come to think of it, I might have a trigger. Airplanes. I hate flying. I mean I truly. HATE. flying. I will not buy or read a book or watch a movie that has to do with flying. Is that my trigger? Oh, and I don’t buy medical romances or watch those kinds of movies either. I don’t even like walking into a hospital. Yeah, that might be another trigger.

My agent is encouraging me to “self-pub” but my heart isn’t in it. She says the story is good and deserves readers. My thought is if a traditional publisher isn’t willing to take a chance, am I? My self-promo skills are sorely lacking.

My agent has a second book I’ve written in a different genre. A romance. After her critique, I’m fleshing it out a little more and rewriting the first few chapters. I did a lot of telling in this book.

And after I do that  …

If this new book doesn’t sell to my targeted publisher, I’m thinking of putting novel writing behind me. I like writing short. Short articles, short stories. More instant gratification. There are so many other time-consuming things I want to do.

So here’s the big question: if you were 76 years old, had an agent, knew that if she sold a novel to a traditional publisher it would be a year or two before it hit the stands, what would be your career plan?  Do you realize how close 76 is to 80? (Yeah, slapping the side of my head.)

Thanks for your help. I’m looking forward to your comments.

JRF

 

IWSG: Don’t Leave Me Hanging!

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It’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!
Our Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! We post the first Wednesday of every month. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia,Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

 

December 4 question – Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or a reader?

Stories? As in books? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter because I won’t read something that isn’t finished. Cliffhangers at the end of a story implies (to me) that the story isn’t finished and I’ll have to purchase the next issue. If I’m not forewarned that the story is continuing through several more books (or issues), yeah, I’ll probably be ticked.

That being said, I do read series books. For example stories about siblings—and the reader meets all of them in the first book. A vague hint of each sibling’s problem are in each book. A good example would be Tina Radcliffe’s series books. Her Hearts of Oklahoma series is my favorite, but she also has the Lazy M Ranch series that I’m savoring now. I’ll read her romances without even glancing at the back cover blurb. Her characterization and story telling skills are excellent. 

I did read a Brenda Novak series where the thread of a crime wasn’t solved until the last book but there were clues throughout each book. It was well-done. 

And thinking back on my younger days, I bought a lot of magazines and read stories that continued through several issues. I wouldn’t do that today. I don’t have the patience for waiting and probably couldn’t remember to purchase the next issue. Or am I plagued with instant gratification?

But it doesn’t really matter what I like or dislike or what I think, if the writer can make it work s/he should go for it. But have thick skin just in case the criticism hits. After 50+ years, I have to say my skin still isn’t nearly thick enough. And way too often I pay attention to what isn’t said. I guess you might call that paranoia! 

That’s it until next month. Good writing and Merry Christmas to all of you.

IWSG Wednesday: Creative Activities

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Welcome! It’s IWSG day!

Our Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: We post the first Wednesday of every month. Talk about our doubts and the fears we have conquered. Discuss our struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others. Please join us!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the November 06th posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional!

November 6th Question: What creative activity do you engage in when you’re not writing?

Soooo, what creative activity do I engage in when I’m not writing? I THINK about writing. I know each of you can identify with that. We’re always writing in our head, aren’t we? I guess that doesn’t really count as an answer to this question so I’ll add to my answer: I read, but I love listening to podcasts–about writing, about social media, about quilting, junk journaling, painting or just about anything else. I enjoy watching YouTube videos on how to do something. I’ve watched one on how to grow potatoes and how to repair a toilet handle. YouTube has answers, and you never know when something will end up in a book.

Speaking of books, I finally finished the Love Inspired Romance I’ve been working on. Sent it to my agent a couple of weeks ago. I meet with her via Zoom next Wednesday, the 13th. She’ll tell me if she likes it, what I need to do to “fix” it, if it’s worth her time. I know the ending isn’t super satisfying for a romance and I need an epilogue but I couldn’t think of one. They usually feel like tack-ons to me. I really don’t like ALL epilogues but looks like the LIs always have one.

I could have sworn back in the old days–or maybe my college days when I wrote my first novel–I was taught that you have to have a prologue if you want to have an epilogue. I know rules change over the years. I know this is the south and maybe other areas of the country didn’t teach that. Did anyone else learn that rule about prologues and epilogues?

Oh, another creative activity I indulge in is genealogy. I like meeting new family members because of my DNA. If you’re a Roach, a Smith, a Ragan, a Chaney, a Yarbrough … you might be mine!

So that’s my life in a nutshell! Hope you’re all writing or indulging in something else creative.

Best to you!

jrf

Insecure Writers Support Day: Favorite Quotes

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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds

 Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.

September 4 question – Since it’s back to school time, let’s talk English class. What’s a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

The question is always optional and today I choose not to answer it, not because I don’t like it. I just can’t think of anything to say about teachers. I’m not sure any teacher messed me up as a writer. There was one in college, a hateful journalism teacher that didn’t like my writing at all. He told me I was on an ego trip. Go figure. I was in his class to learn, even though I’d already worked as a contributing editor for an in-flight magazine. We should never quit learning, right? I do think of him periodically and wonder why he didn’t like me. Lookie here, I answered the question after all. 

My intention was to post a few of my favorite quotes. Who doesn’t like quotes? Don’t they make you think? Do you have a favorite quote that speaks to you? Share it!

“Your legacy is every life you’ve ever touched .”   Maya Angelou  

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”—Thomas Edison

There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never know quite where they’ll take you.” -Beatrix Potter

 If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison

Half my life is an act of revision.” – John Irving

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”  – Sylvia Plath

 

Isn’t IWSG the greatest?!

I wish you all good writing!

JRF

IWSG Day: Faux Books?

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It’s Insecure Writers Support Group day–the first Wednesday of every month. We’re here for you if you’re doubting or struggling.

IWSG was formed by Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG

Hashtag: #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi,Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story.

The question is always optional.

August 7 question – Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for  your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

My response will address using AI for writing long fiction only. I can’t speak to the research, creating social media content or audio.

I investigated AI after taking a free course from Joseph Michael. He made plotting with AI seem interesting. I plugged in a simple one sentence blurb and asked chatGPT to outline a romance. According to JM the first draft probably won’t be acceptable. You need to ask ChatGPT for several more drafts and keep at it until you find something you like. Actually, I found ChatGPT fun to play with. It does stimulate one’s imagination. And some of those drafts didn’t sound too bad to me—after all, we’re going to put our own spin on the characters, the conflict and the entire story… aren’t we?

So here’s the thing: as writers, we want the respect of our peers as much as we want readers to love our work. (Lord knows I deal with “imposter syndrome” enough. I sure don’t need AI to reinforce that.) Why would we risk being called a fake, a cheater, a liar? Where’s the joy in writing, creating the book of our heart—over and over and over again—if we don’t do the actual creating?

I’ll pass on using AI. There are enough fakes in our world.

Thanks for visiting me, and good writing!

jrf

IWSG: My Writing Tools

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The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We’re encouragers! Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the July 3 posting of the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!

 

Our Optional Question:

What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?

 

No matter what tools, apps or writing programs I purchase, I always end up returning to Microsoft Word. I work faster there.

I’ve owned Scrivener for years and never been able to completely figure it out. Just in the past few months, I’ve taken the time to watch a few instructional videos and mastered another step or two. I know many authors swear by Scrivener but I also know I’ll never be one of them. If you’re interested in Scrivener, you can try it for FREE. I suggests you do what I do, use just the basics and learn at your own pace.

I also purchased Plottr a couple of years ago. I loved it. I watched a lot of YouTube sessions/interviews with various authors on how they used it and I have to admit, I created a beautiful outline for my latest WIP. I was able to create character sketches and scenes for each chapter but guess what – I’m a combination pantser/plotter and I have not been able to finish my book—even with a detailed outline and scenes. For the first time, I think I understand what authors mean when they say outlining ruins the story for them. I always thought that was a crazy thing to say but it’s the only excuse I can come up with because my novel is basically planned out and waiting for me to finish it.

With Microsoft Word, I can sit down and soar. My old arthritic fingers still type pretty fast and I enjoy letting my characters lead me. Usually the first three chapters move fast. In the middle I falter. So once I slow down and stumble through that middle, I’ll turn to my NOTES app on my iPhone. That’s where I drop pieces of dialogue, ideas for scenes and description as they comes to me at odd times. I can’t do without NOTES on my phone.

What I really love is YouTube. Anytime I need to know how to do something, YouTube is my go-to for help. I’m very thankful for those authors who take the time to create how-to videos and seminars on Zoom.  And blogs like this one: Jill Kemerer

My question for you: what would we do without each other?