IWSG Archives - Jessica Ferguson

IWSG Day: Making Time to Write

September 6, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 17 Comments

Today is IWSG Day. IWSG stand for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of IWSG is 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! You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

Today our question is How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

We all know the answer to that: we just do it, because we all find time to do what we really want to do. Okay, I know you’re all expecting a better answer than that, aren’t you?

Being retired, I guess it’s pretty easy for me to find time to write, so let me tell you about a guy I met a few weeks ago at the Killer Nashville Conference.

Robert Randisi (standing beside KN founder Clay Stafford and dressed in the I’m a Big Deal tee) writes something like 25 books a year. He’s written close to 700 books with 15 pseudonyms. He was born with the ability to write fast and works on two books at a time. Specifically, twenty pages of a western during the morning and 20 pages of a mystery at night. Sounds insane, doesn’t it? I can’t imagine. Well, yes, I can imagine and it sounds mentally painful. Oh, how I wish I could do it!

Randisi says he has a “natural speed” and if he slows down he can’t get anything done. He doesn’t call it a talent. He says he has an ability. He can write 10 pages in one hour.

Quoting from my notes, he says character comes first and he never writes from an outline. Don’t ask him where he gets his ideas:

“If you can’t open your eyes each morning and see an idea, you shouldn’t be writing.”

Randisi believes in writing his stories all the way through. No revision as he writes but overall, very little rewriting. Someone asked what he did if he realized he made a mistake while writing the story—did he go back and change it?

No, he doesn’t. He explained that if he sends his cowboy out of the boarding house without his gun, instead of rewriting the scene, his character says, “Dang, I forgot my gun,” and goes back to get it. It works for him and adds to his word count.

He’s often invited to participate in anthologies. He told us that once he finishes the short story, he’ll write it as a novel. No, he doesn’t change names, plot or anything … he just makes it a bigger story.

Robert Randisi co-founded Mystery Scene Magazine around 1985. (I’ve been a subscriber off and on for years. Check it out.) He also co-founded American Crime Writers League, founded The Private Eye Writers of American and created the Shamus Award which is awarded by the PWA for the best detective fiction genre novels and short stories of the year.

As you’ve figured out by now, Randisi doesn’t waste his time. Most of us do. No, he doesn’t have little feet padding through the house, and yes, he’s been accused of being a hack. From his own lips:

“I view the word hack as a good thing.”

We should take a few pointers from Robert Randisi. Focus. Write. Don’t mess around with editing as we go. By his own admission he’s not a wordsmith—he’s a storyteller. What are you? Ever thought about it?

I can find nothing wrong with the Randisi writing method. I picked up one of his books in his Rat Pack series and it yanked me in and kept me reading. The guy knows what he’s doing.

And he’s a good guy. Granted, he was perplexing at the conference. An enigma. We stared at him as if he might, at any point, laugh and say “Gotcha! No one can write 40 pages a day!” He never did.

He answered our questions over and over again—the same questions put to him in several different ways. We didn’t understand him. We still don’t.

Doesn’t matter though, because while we write and revise and think awhile and run to the kitchen for a snack, blog and tweet and post on Facebook (he does none of those things) he’s pounding the keys. And he doesn’t understand us, either.

When asked how he wants to be remembered, Randisi said: “As someone who told a good story and usually did the right thing for the right reason.”

Wow, Robert Randisi. He really is a big deal. I liked him a lot.

Take a look at his latest book, The Honkey Tonk Big Hoss Boogie. Set in Nashville, it’s gotta be a good read.

IWSG Day: What Makes Writing Good?

August 3, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 24 Comments

Today’s IWSG question is: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?

I loved writing in high school and like most teens, had a notebook full of poems, but I became serious during the days of Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying. I remember reading a review that labeled her book confessional. My writing became confessional too. Easier to exaggerate what I knew than to create characters and a plot I didn’t know.

I wrote a short story for Redbook’s annual fiction contest and received a wonderful, personal letter from the editor, but ultimately a rejection. Later, another letter came asking for another read, but once again it was rejected. At that point in my writing I didn’t understand that I should give each character motivation.

In a college independent studies class, I wrote a novel based loosely (very loosely) on my wild, impulsive life. I never tried to market it to a publisher. My character had motivation, but she didn’t have introspection, or maybe it’s called Deep POV these days.

Both the short story and the novel are packed away. This post makes me wonder if I should destroy them.

The first thing I published was a prayer in True Story magazine. It was called Prayer from a Divorced Woman and I was paid $25.00. No byline—just my initials. It didn’t matter. That was enough encouragement to last me a lifetime.

I’ve been writing for newspapers and magazines off and on for 40+ years. Fiction will always be my first love but it’s a challenge. There are rules I break that are totally unacceptable. Rules I know nothing about. Rules I plain don’t like. Crazy rules I don’t understand. There are So. Many. Rules.

I’ve answered the IWSG question, now answer one for me:

What makes good writing?

Some readers throw a book across the room if the author tells more than s/he shows. The word said is a thing of the past because attributions are interruptions and telling. Set the scene and POV at the beginning of each chapter because your reader might get lost. Learn how to write deep POV. If you don’t understand deep POV, here’s an excellent blog post explaining exactly what it is. Join me in my frustration.

Think about my question and the best of the best books you’ve read lately then tell me what makes writing good? Following the rules or following the heart rhythm of your story?

IWSG DAY: Writers’ Clubs and Compliments

July 5, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 17 Comments

Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in July. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. The purpose of IWSG is to share and encourage, but we’ve added a little zest to the mix. Now, IWSG members are going to answer a question in our post. Today’s question is:

What’s the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

This is a difficult question for me to answer because I don’t usually share my writing. The compliments I do get come in the form of a review or from a contest judge. When friends read my books and stories, of course, they’ll compliment me. They’re my friends!

Maybe this sort of thing comes from being involved in a good, close writer’s group. You think?

Back in the 70s I wanted to be part of a writer’s group but my hometown didn’t have one. What did I do? Well, I started one, of course. The East Texas Writers Association is still going strong today. The group was fun back in my day. We didn’t have the Internet so we depended on The Writer, Writer’s Digest and Writer’s Market, as well as guest speakers to keep us informed. Also, other writer’s groups. Our members often piled in a car and headed straight down Interstate 20 to Shreveport—about an hour away to visit the Shreveport Writers Club. They judged our contests, critiqued us—encouraged us in every way.

Today, online groups are fantastic. With the Internet, we have instant encouragement with the click of a button—but there’s nothing like a face-to-face group—if it’s a good one.

Here are 6 things you should be getting from your face-to-face writer’s group:

Encouragement
Resources and Opportunities
Information relating to the ever-changing market
Access to critiques if you want/need them
Warnings about writing/agenting/publishing scams
Friendship and Fellowship

I went to our local writer’s group here in Lake Charles last Saturday. I learned four things:

That a new writer has moved to the area—a professional who writes for a couple of the top Christian publishers. I’m excited and hope we can get to know each other.
That we have some talented writers in the group but I don’t know if there’s a market for what they write. I wonder, with self-publishing booming, is that even a factor anymore?
That nothing stays the same: the logo, the newsletter title, the bylaws–there’s always someone eager for change. Even the members come and go!
That J.C. Penny’s was having a great shoe sale, and I hit it big time!

If you have a writer’s group in your town, are you a member? What do you learn from the meetings? Share some details, please.

IWSG Day: 31 Days

June 1, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 15 Comments

Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in June. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. The purpose of IWSG is to share and encourage so I hope you get something out of this mini-post.

The time here in Lake Charles, Louisiana is 12:40. Yes, after midnight. Once again I’m burning the midnight oil trying to meet a deadline—the IWSG deadline. My days run together … I thought it was Monday, not Tuesday.

I’ve been wondering what everyone has done since the A to Z Challenge? I’ve been writing and traveling. Ready to stay home for awhile.

My coaching client is still a participant in the Kindle Scout Publishing competition. She has eight days left if you’d like to take a look at the first few chapters of The Wrong and nominate it for a contract. I’m thrilled that she finished her book and submitted to the Amazon Kindle Scout Publishing Program. Believe it or not, that takes a lot of courage. I don’t know that I would have the courage to do it with any one of my novels. She put herself out there. Here’s the link if you want to offer encouragement by voting. It’s simple as pie but after you nominate, you’ll have to sign in to Amazon with your password.

Thirty-one days have passed since our A to Z Challenge. That’s enough time to write a novella, several articles, plot and outline a book or take an online class. No, I haven’t accomplished all those things …

My novella is ready for revision but I’m dragging my feet for some reason. It’s been critiqued by one person—two more coming up. I’ve written two articles. Both will come out in July. I’ve done a lot of … thinking, wishing, hoping and planning. Does that count for anything?

How have you spent the last 31 days? Did you waste them or make a little headway toward that goal or dream?

No judgment or condemnation here if you’ve been resting on your laurels; I’ve been known to do that too. And if you’re walking around looking dazed and confused, well, I know you’re plotting a great idea in your head. Right?

So sound-off, gang: What have you been doing these 31 days? Share!

IWSG Day: Writers Be Wise, Beware

May 4, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 31 Comments

Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in May. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on Twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. The purpose of IWSG is 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, everywhere!

I want to ask you … why won’t writers research the reputations of publishers and agents and markets before they submit to them? Why won’t they protect themselves against phony contests and scams? Why is it that they can read one hundred warnings about a publisher, but they believe they will be treated differently? I don’t get it. Are we so desperate to get our words in print by a “traditional publisher” that we’ll pay anyone?

Today I learned about a woman who is having a book signing here in my area. I checked out her publisher. My heart breaks for her because, yes, she signed a contract with one of those. At some point, this lady will realize she’s made a mistake but it will be too late. I’m very familiar with her publisher because I’ve been reading complaints (and warning people) about them for years. Many, many, many years! How on earth can they remain in business?

You should know there are websites and organizations that expose publishers that have “problems.” One is called Preditors and Editors. You can research publishers as well as literary agents. There’s massive info on this site. Explore it, sign up for their newsletter. Always check their site before you submit anywhere.

Another website is Consumer Affairs. Here’s a link that lists 121 complaints against a publisher. And yes, there are a few positive comments but those writers are living in fantasy land, flying high with a published book. Read the complaints and weep.

Writer Beware is another excellent, very user-friendly site that will educate you on literary scams of all kinds. There are so many things for you to read and investigate on this site. Please, please… take the time to do so.

There’s no good reason to be conned by thieves pretending to be agents or publishers. We have the world at our fingertips when it comes to resources. We can Google and research anyone and anything at any time.

If YOU are paying a publisher to print your books, they’re making their money from YOU. Why would they want to promote you? That’s real work!

Take your writing seriously. If you don’t, no one will. Don’t throw your talent away.

A Lesson in Taxes

February 3, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 15 Comments

Today is IWSG Day. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

I’m so “out of the habit” of blogging that it sure seems to come around fast. I put way too many other things first. Today, I worked on my taxes: listed my professional dues, my expenses and then my income. What an eye-opener.

When my income doesn’t (at least) equal my professional dues, I think there’s a problem. And my expenses doubled in 2015. Why? Because I went crazy-wild purchasing how-to books, taking courses and joining groups that promised to mentor and encourage me. I attended a couple of conferences too; I’d be a groupie for about two cents. Seriously, I have “groupie” in my blood.

While listing my expenses, I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite creative writing teachers, Chuck Taylor, founder of Slough Press and a professor at Texas A&M University. I knew Chuck many years ago and once we had poems published in the same literary journal, Cedar Rock. Anyway, Dr. Charles B. “Chuck” Taylor told me, when I wanted to sign up for yet another one of his classes that I needed to quit taking classes and write. I think I’ve told you that before but it’s worthy of repeating. That’s good advice for all of us.

Well, Chuck … obviously I didn’t listen to you!

Doing my taxes made me analyze my problem and there’s only one answer to what it is. No, it’s not laziness. It’s FEAR. I need those classes and how-to books because … What if I can’t write? Well, deep down, I know I can but what if I can’t write well enough?

There’s the rub. What’s well enough?

With publishing the way it is–open to everyone now–writing is so subjective. But isn’t that a good thing? Yes, it is, and I recognize I can write better than some and not as well as others, but I don’t want to look like an idiot!

The lesson I learned while looking at my pages of expenses is that I have more confidence in writing for FREE—that way, if you don’t like it, think it’s crummy, you really won’t feel cheated since you didn’t have to pay.

Stupid, huh? I have two published books, written for magazines and newspapers for about 40 years, judged writing contests, owned a literary magazine, mentored and coached others and here I am acting like a baby. I really think it’s all those “angry voices” out there scaring me. Maybe I just need therapy!

Last year, I told hubby I wasn’t going to darken the doors of our CPA friend until I wasn’t embarrassed to face him. Sorry, Doug, won’t be seeing you this year!

I’m making a promise to myself: this is my last year to write for FREE. (Have to fulfill obligations.) I know we all like that word, who doesn’t enjoy FREE things, but if we don’t value ourselves and our talents, who’s gonna? Right? Nothing really puts me in my place like figuring my taxes.

Do you ever doubt you’re good enough, listen to the voice of defeat ringing in your ears? Or do you just forge ahead whistling your happy tune? Share with us!

IWSG: First Wednesday of 2016

January 5, 2016 By Jessica Ferguson 11 Comments

This is the first IWSG day of the New Year. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

Can you believe it’s 2016? Looking back, I didn’t accomplish much with my writing last year. I have nothing to show except the articles I wrote for Southern Writers Magazine and four very rough novella drafts.

2016 MUST be different.

Do you choose a word for the year? This year my word is IF.

IF I focus on my goals, I can and will accomplish them.

I think I set myself up for failure because my goals list is too long and I don’t set a deadline for each project. That’s going to change; every goal has to have a deadline.

Here are my goals for this year. I have to work out some of the deadlines.

I have five articles to write for Southern Writers Magazine. I’ve chosen my authors to interview and will soon send them their list of questions. I need to look at my calendar to note my deadlines.

One Fine Day – Working title for my novella – Deadline is March 1. I have nothing but a rough outline so this is ‘new’ writing.

The Little Girl in the Bayou – Mystery Short Story—submission deadline March 15^th. The story is complete, I just need to check it over and make sure word count and theme match up with publishing guidelines.

Novella Series—Rewrite and Edit 4 rough drafts by July 1st.

Listen to the Butterfly – Nonfiction book I’m working on. Determine date for completion and race toward it.

Even though I have so many other projects I yearn to complete, this is all I’m planning to focus on through July then I’ll take another look at how I’m progressing.

What are your goals for 2016? How do you monitor your progress? Got any tips for me? I’m a loosey-goosey writer who haphazardly plots, researches, writes, and blogs. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Let’s make a deal: Let’s leave 2015 failures behind and move forward with our dreams and goals. Hopefully, 2016 will be a good year for all of us.

IWSG DAY: Filling the Attic

December 1, 2015 By Jessica Ferguson 14 Comments

Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in December. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. In the words of Captain Alex, the purpose of the IWSG is ‘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!’ You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

Today’s post is about something Hubby told me as we were driving down the highway. He’s always got tales from his childhood, but I’d never heard this one and found it interesting. He said when he was twelve years old, he was on the school bus headed for home and reading a Sherlock Holmes mystery—A Study in Scarlet. The best he remembered it, Holmes had said he didn’t read fiction because he would be filling his head with useless info. I found Hubby’s memory as well as that statement fascinating, so we searched for the quote. Hubby didn’t have it exactly right but close.

In Chapter 2 of A Study in Scarlet, Dr. Watson is exasperated with Holmes.

Watson thinks: His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge. Of modern literature, philosophy, and politics, he appeared to know next to nothing. Upon my quoting Thomas Carlyle, he asked who he was and what he had done.

Further down the page, Holmes explains:

“A man’s brain is like an empty attic. You have to put in whatever furniture you choose. A fool takes in everything he comes across, so that there is no room for anything useful to find a place, or else the useful information gets so jumbled up with everything else that he had difficulty laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful as to what he takes into his brain-attic.

…It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”

Hubby said at that point he closed the book and quit reading. I suppose at age twelve, he either took Holmes’ words to heart or considered the book useless information. I have no doubt he’s been strategically placing selective furniture in his brain-attic ever since.

As you probably know, A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle was the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I find it interesting that a twelve year old kid would be influenced—challenged—maybe insulted—by the above passage written in 1886.

Do you wonder/worry about political correctness? Or that your characters, an idea or specific scene might affect your readers in a negative way? Can you think of a book that made you tear your hair, throw it across the room, or view the author suspiciously?

Please share!

IWSG Day: ETBU Conference Part II

November 3, 2015 By Jessica Ferguson 18 Comments

Today is IWSG day because it’s the first Wednesday of the month. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Our purpose is to share and encourage. You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

Monday I blogged about my trek to Marshall, Texas, to attend the ETBU Conference. If you’re interested you can backtrack and read Part I but each post stands alone—as they say in the world of series writing.

When I registered for the conference, I signed up for an appointment with one of my favorite guys in the entire realm of Christian writing and publishing. Yes, you guessed it—Cecil Murphey. Cec is author of a whole slew of books but two you might recognize are Gifted Hands: the Ben Carson Story, and 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life.

I’d never met Cec but I’ve read his blog and I’m on a couple writing loops with him. I’ve emailed him with questions through the years, and he’s always been generous with answers. I think that’s unusual. There are other authors I’ve emailed with questions who say they don’t have time or that they’ll get back with me, and never do.

My appointment with Cec was at ten o’clock sharp on Saturday morning, and my session with Caleb Pirtle III (The Magic of Storytelling) ended at exactly ten 0’clock. One of my pet peeves is people coming and going during writing sessions; it’s disruptive. So what did I do? Well, uh, I skipped my appointment. Crazy, huh? It surprised me too, but you know, face to face Cec might not be as kind as online Cec. (Yes, that actually crossed my mind. Insecurity is an ugly thing!)

I felt so guilty. I visualized Cec sitting there waiting, looking at his watch, wondering why I didn’t show.

In my next session, all of a sudden I got a text message from Elizabeth Hoyer who handled the conference paperwork: “Jessica, Cecil Murphey is trying to get in touch with you.”

Whaaaat? Never in all my days have I had an appointment track me down. Not that I miss a lot of appointments—actually not any, but I’d bet good money all those agents and editors I’ve met with over the years wouldn’t have missed me, much less tracked me down. I texted Elizabeth back, apologized, and told her I’d be in Cec’s 2:45 session and not to worry about the appointment. In her next text she gave me his cell phone number. He wanted me to call him.

Call Cecil Murphey—THE Cecil Murphey—on the phone?

I didn’t call. I texted Elizabeth: “It’s not necessary to put himself out. Sorry for the trouble.”

Elizabeth responded: “No, it’s fine. He gave me his number for you, he has appointments before and after his class so you can set up another time to meet.”

What pressure!

I still didn’t call Cec, but I texted him and we set up an appointment for 2:30–EXACTLY when my session with Kristen Clark (How to Write and Publish Your Inspirational Short Story) was supposed to begin.

I know what you’re thinking and you’re right. Sometimes my elevator stops between floors. Here I was at a conference especially to meet Cecil Murphey, but I seemed to be running from him. Was it nerves? What was going on with me?

Hubby went to Kristen’s workshop and promised to take good notes and save me a seat. I had no idea how long my appointment with Cec would be–probably no longer than five or ten minutes. I trekked off to find him.

The moment our eyes met–haha–actually, the moment he read my name-tag, he apologized for the mix-up. Mix-up? You’ll be proud to know I took full responsibility and confessed to standing him up.

We walked outside, the sun peeked from behind the clouds. No, really, it did. It had rained all night and part of the morning. Sitting on a bench in the sun, we talked. And talked. And talked. For thirty minutes!

He told me I was the only one of his appointments that didn’t send him something to critique. I told him I just wanted to meet him, to thank him, to tell him how much he’d meant to me over the years. That he would take the time to answer questions in detail from someone he didn’t know … He’d been a mentor—and didn’t know it.

Was I too gushy? Too forward? Do you think I scared him? (I still have his cell number in my phone and I do have stalker tendencies. Not to worry. He probably used a conference throw-away.)

We talked about everything from writing to praying. He advised me on some things I had questions about and shared some of his writing plans. That thirty minutes was worth the price of the entire conference–doubled!

Have you ever read someone’s book, their blog and just known deep down in your gut that you have a connection with that person? That you share something? That’s the way I’ve always felt about Cecil Murphey. And after meeting him, I thank God he was exactly as I’ve always imagined.

On Friday, I’ll tell you about my last three sessions at the ETBU Conference.

IWSG Day: Wishy-Washy Me

October 6, 2015 By Jessica Ferguson 17 Comments

Today is IWSG Day. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can or on or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page. The purpose of IWSG is to share and encourage, so today I sharing some market info with you in case some of you are still interested in traditional publishing.

Who needs encouragement out there? I do!

For months I’ve focused on writing four novellas with the intention of ePublishing them myself. So, I’m writing along just singing my song, all happy with myself, when a writer-friend says, “A book from a traditional publisher gets more respect than an eBook you publish yourself. I’d always choose a traditional publisher first.”

Wait! What? Really? I thought “those days” were a thing of the past.

So I back up and start rethinking my plans, and for a day or two I’m completely confused.

I hate that I’m so easily influenced, that anyone and everyone can make me doubt myself and my choices. Yes, I’ve asked a thousand and one times if I really want to be in charge of everything from book covers to bookkeeping. I’m still not sure I do—but I also know I don’t want to earn seven or eight cents off each print book I sell.

Most authors say to choose both—traditional and indie, and that sounds like a pretty good idea to me. I’m back to my original plan: indie publishing for me and if a traditional publisher falls into my lap—then so be it.

How about you? What’s your career plan, and how did you come to choose it?