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Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

J is for Janie

April 11, 2014 By Jessica Ferguson Leave a Comment

 

I’m blogging my way through the alphabet with many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge. For me, it really is a challenge because of all that’s going on in my life. I spent today trying to design wedding invitations while painters painted and workers cut granite. I took a short break to run to Lowe’s to pick out bathroom faucets.

We’ve been busy ever since moving back to Louisiana from Oklahoma. I thought retirement meant a lot of free time on our hands. Not so.

I miss Oklahoma. I especially miss my friend Janie who met me at the library for a writing day two or three times a month. She drove about 45 minutes one way for our writing day. We’d meet at 9:00 a.m. and at noon, we’d break for lunch. I’d usually take apple and cheese but Janie packed a real lunch of tuna or chicken salad. After lunch, we’d write for another hour or two. Here are a couple of pics I snapped of Janie while she focused on her manuscript. I guess you know if I’m snapping pics with my iPhone, I’m not focused on writing. I’m people-watching.

Janie used to live in Cameron, Louisiana but after her husband died, she moved to Oklahoma to be near sisters and was there to welcome me when hubby’s work took us there. What a treat to have a writing pal, a brainstorming buddy … someone who is fun, smart, loves to read and loves to laugh. That’s Janie, fearless Janie, I-can-do-anything-I-put-my-mind-to Janie. What an encourager! I wrote my novella at the Mustang Library in Oklahoma with Janie sitting across from me … just like in these pictures. If we were still there, I’d have another book finished. I have no doubt!

Janie and I keep in touch by email, but it’s definitely not the same as sitting across the table from each other. I can’t see her crazy expressions or hear her wild laughter. I miss that.

Do you have a special pal that cheers you on when you’ve been rejected way too many times? Someone who’ll read over your work, and tell you honestly if it is good, if a scene works, if there are plot holes? Janie wrote a little mystery short story that I had the pleasure of critiquing for her. She targeted Women’s World Magazine. We were so excited when they offered her a contract. A Safe Bet came out in March. I felt like Janie’s success was my success too.

Tell me about your writer friends. Anyone special?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: A to Z Challenge 2014, best friends, brainstorming, critiquing, Janie, reader, Uncategorized

BRAINSTORM

April 2, 2012 By Jessica Ferguson Leave a Comment

BRAINSTORM: a spontaneous group discussion to produce ideas and ways of solving problems. Produce an idea or way of solving a problem by holding a spontaneous group discussion: a brainstorming session.

A sudden bright idea: a harebrained idea.

I have a character that won’t leave my thoughts–but no idea, setting, story or plot to go with her. I need help!
I’ve heard tales of entire writing groups involved in brainstorming sessions. The author will toss out info or questions allowing members to make suggestions or give solutions and ideas. This might go back and forth the entire meeting, or they may time their sessions allowing other members to take advantage of the process. The session is recorded for the author’s benefit.

When you’re brainstorming a new idea, do you enlist the help of others? Give me one brainstorming tip I can use alone.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: A to Z Challenge, brainstorming, tips

Reality Faith.
Reality Fiction.

"As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20

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