Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

IWSG Day: Language Power

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IWSG Day comes around the first Wednesday of each month. We’re the Insecure Writers Support Group and we love to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. You’re welcome to join us. We’re FREE! Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. We’re a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Lee Lowery, Juneta Key, Yvonne Ventresca, and T. Powell Coltrin!

Our question for May (and the question is always optional) is:  

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Well, that’s certainly easy! When my mom popped me in the face for back-talking her, I learned quickly that my language, how I was communicating my thoughts and feelings, had the power to set her off. Because she worked nights as a nurse and slept during the day, there was absolutely no nonsense allowed. She’s 95 years old and still makes herself heard and understood. ‘Nuff said.

On a more interesting note, school is almost out. Kids will be taking off to camp. Families will be taking vacations. I can’t believe the year is flying by so fast. What are your plans for the summer? What have you accomplished during the past four months? Are you on track with your goals for 2019? Share!

IWSG DAY: Questions, Questions, Questions

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Today is so exciting because it’s Insecure Writers Support Group day. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh  for the purpose of encouraging other writers—or anyone who’d like to learn the craft. Writers can ask questions and express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. We’re a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds. We invite you to follow other IWSG members here or by using the twitter hashtag #IWSG. You can also go to our Facebook page and Instagram. We’re awesome!

Co-hosts for the January 2 posting of the IWSG are Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue!

 Our January 2nd question is What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

The question I dislike the most but hear often is are you still writing? That’s a sure sign they haven’t Googled me, looked me up on Amazon and they certainly aren’t reading me. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m putting all the work on them. The way I see it (and like it) is if they do what they’re supposed to do (track me down) then I won’t have to do what I should be doing (promote myself and my books!) I really have a rough time promoting myself.

Questions I’d like to hear are:

Hey, I was thinking about you the other day and Googled your name. You’re really out there, girl! How did I miss all the excitement in your life? 😂 Now that would make me laugh out loud! I might even strut a little.

Or this question:

I can’t get your first book out of my mind. It was such a fun novel, I really loved all the Elvis trivia. Have you thought about writing a sequel?

Yes, a prequel and a sequel, but no, my Elvis days are over.

Answering questions about our work is part of the job–regardless of whether they’re good questions or bad questions. Promotion, advertising, doing interviews and blog hops is expected. Every contract I’ve signed has included a paragraph about promoting the project.

Having interviewed authors for Southern Writers Magazine for almost seven years, I noticed how some authors have a knack (a personality) for answering questions and others come across dull as dirt. Maybe the dull ones are trying to come across as serious professionals. Then again, maybe they just have no personality or humor about them. Answering questions seems like an easy task but as an interviewer, I believe there’s an art to it. We all need to learn how to answer questions in a way that encourages the reader to find us interesting and want to know us better. We should put personality in our answers.

In 2019, I hope to write, sell and answer a lot of questions. How about you?

IWSG DAY: Five Special Things

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This post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop. The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. We Members talk about our fears, insecurities, dreams and failures and our inspirations. We encourage each other.

Co-hosts for the December 5 posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!
The question for December is:
What are five objects we’d find in your writing space?
My writing space moves here and there—from my dining room to a coffee shop; from my office desk to the den sofa. But when I sit in my cluttered office five of my favorite items I’ll share with you are as follows:
1) A poster of Elvis on my closet door. My first book, The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes was inspired by my then-five-year-old daughter and her love for Elvis. The book came out in 1996. I’m too sentimental to remove the poster.
2) A post card of Stephen king is on my bulletin board. He’s sitting with his feet propped on his desk. Can anyone be more creative than SK? The post card reminds me how important it is to know our characters. SK is not only a great story teller but his characters are memorable.
3) I especially enjoy looking at a framed poster of the made-for-tv miniseries, Celebrity by Tommy Thompson. The best selling novel was about three former friends bound by a dark secret.
Thompson was born in Texas and covered the JFK assassination. He wrote for Life magazine and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald’s home and wife. Hubby and I had the pleasure of meeting him at a Houston writers conference. He invited us to his hotel room with others who attended his session and regaled us with fascinating stories about his writing career.
4) My statue of John Wayne reminds me that some day I’d like to write a western.
5) You’ll always find copies of Woman’s World magazine on my desk. I read and study their weekly romance and mystery, hoping to figure out how to please the WW editors. So far, I’ve garnered nothing but rejection slips but that’s okay. Writing short 800 word romances—even if they’re rejected—teaches me to make every word count.
So those are a few treasures that inspire me and keep me writing.  Of course there are many more. I could just as easily name five friends who have encouraged or inspired me, or five books, or five reasons I hate WordPress … even five snacks I eat at my desk but we’ll save all of those for another time.

IWSG: Creativity Evolves

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It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! We post the first Wednesday of every month. Our purpose is to share and encourage. I hope my post does just that.

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions often offer advice or insight through personal experience. This month the question is:

How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

An interesting question. Sometimes I don’t think I’ve evolved at all and at other times, I’m amazed at what I’ve accomplished. Oh, certainly no best sellers—only one real novel (for Harlequin) with a scattering of poems, short stories, articles and novellas.

When I look back at my life I see the steps I took that got me to where I am today: Content and able to help/mentor others.

Here’s my path:

I began by reading the trade magazines. I checked them out at the library and read every word from cover to cover—even the classified ads. Today, we have wonderful writing blogs that educate and inform us.

I’m a firm believer in writing or trying to write a number of different things. How else do you learn what you’re good at or what you might truly love? Of course, you might be like me and love it all.

I’ve often said writing short is a lesson to learn well because it teaches us to make every word count. Even today I search magazines for opportunities to write fillers, jokes, and short, short personal stories. I love chasing the markets. It often pays off.

I never have passed up free magazines in restaurants and book stores. We come home from vacation with loads of paper. You never know when you might come across an opportunity.

I’m a big believer in networking. In junior college, my journalism teacher’s son was an editor for a cheerleading magazine. I sold him my very first article. Of course, he rewrote the whole thing but I got paid and that’s how I learned what editors do. At work, I learned that my boss had a brother who was editor of an inflight magazine. I was hired to do a few articles for him. And got paid. My title was “contributing editor’ and I thought I’d “arrived.”

I hadn’t arrived so I quit my job and went back to college to major in English and Journalism. I was cut down to size by a frustrated journalism teacher, but I was encouraged to try my hand at a novel by an English professor. That encouragement rings in my ears today!

Part of evolving is knowing where we want to go, but not being afraid to take detours. And not being afraid to fail.

Because I needed other writers, I started a writer’s group. We met monthly, reading and critiquing each other’s work, and often caravanning to conferences. A good support group is priceless.

Back then, I didn’t believe in self-publishing and I preached against it to everyone. Today, self-publishing, indie-publishing, small presses—are there for us all. I still say don’t put all your “words” into one basket. Don’t write off traditional publishing because you can make more money doing it yourself. Spread your talent. Spielberg might amble through B&N and catch a glimpse of your traditionally pubbed book, pick it up and …. Stranger things have happened.

And don’t think you’re wasting your time by writing flash fiction for a contest or an article for FREE. It all counts. It all matters in your writing journey.

Don’t be afraid! I can do anything I put my mind to and you can too. I’ve spoken at conferences, judged contests, mentored new writers, interviewed best-selling authors, been editor of a national newsletter and president of two writers’ groups. These are things I never imagined I would do.

There has never been a better time to write and publish. I look back at all the times I felt discouraged and wanted to quit—did quit—and I can honestly say, DON’T. You lose ground. Writing and publishing changes daily. Hang in there, struggle through, and change with it. At some point, it will change to your advantage. I can promise you that!

How has my creativity in life evolved since I began writing?

 I’m glad you asked.

Last year I wrote a play and saw it performed on my church’s stage. I’ve never written a play.

I have arrived! 

 

IWSG Day: ETBU Conference Part II

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Today is IWSG day because it’s the first Wednesday of the month. InsecureWritersSupportGroupIWSG 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.

ben carson bookpiper bookWhen 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.

cecil_writercecil_writer2My 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 Cecilany, 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 Cec2she 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.

Cec and JessWas 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: Be Intentional

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I haven’t blogged in quite some time. In fact, last month I completely forgot about IWSG day. It came and went and I didn’t even think of it. Very unusual for me since I’ve always looked forward to first Wednesdays. This month I made a mental reminder. So thanks Alex Cavanaugh for not kicking me out of the club! 

I’ve been trying to get a handle on exactly what I want for my writing. Seems like a ridiculous thing to say at this point in my life, but I guess that’s just about it. Maybe a better way to put it is … I’m trying to get serious about writing; become intentional. I feel like “become intentional” is the new catch phrase. Some years ago we were saying, “Just do it!” and I told myself to just do it constantly.
 
So, now I’m being intentional. I’m gaining clarity about what I really want and, as the life coach says, “choosing how I “show up” and contribute. Every week, I meet a friend at the library–the way I did in Oklahoma. As a result of these meetings, I’ve discarded one novel (it had extreme problems) and started the revision of another one–with less problems. I wrote a piece for one of the confession magazines only to decide it would make an interesting novella so I’m in the process of trying to outline it longer. I completed a short, short mystery that I sent off to Woman’s World. The story just spewed out of me, and that’s always a good sign, right? I’ll let you know if and when a rejection comes in.
 
I’m also working on two nonfiction books. One is about a woman who was blind for a number of years, and then she was healed. It’s a powerful story. I met the woman in Oklahoma and recorded about four hours of interview with her. My second book is, of course, a writing book. Doesn’t every writer want to pen a writing book?
 
In additional to my “intentional writing” I’m hoping to get a website soon. Yeah, I’m taking this intentional stuff seriously. I’ve vowed that when I walk into my CPA’s office next year, I will NOT be embarrassed! I will not! (Now, that’s intentional.)
 
How about you? What have you written lately? What are you doing to further your writing career … or your jewelry making business, or any other goal or dream you have? Whatever you’re doing, be intentional. Share with us.
 
 

IWSG Day and Happy 2015!

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Happy New Year, and Happy IWSG Day. 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! (And that would be ME!) IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and has hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of members. You can be one too. You can follow other IWSG members or meet them on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a thriving Facebook page. Look us over. I think you’ll like us.

Today we’re supposed to introduce ourselves. My name is Jess, Jessy, Jessica–choose one–and I am an insecure writer. I’ve had a couple of books published, numerous magazine articles, and I’m a staff writer for Southern Writers Magazine. But guess what! I’m still insecure. No matter what I accomplish I’m never quite sure it’s for real, that it isn’t some crazy fluke thing that happens. How about you? Did God bless you with an enormous amount of self-confidence?

2014 was an interesting year for me. Hubby entered into his first full year of retirement which meant I had some adjusting to do. I’m still adjusting. Our daughter got married and we renovated our house. Retirement, wedding and the renovation from hell should have sent me into a deep, dark depression but I made it. Guess I’m stronger than I thought.

I didn’t get much writing done in 2014, but I am proud of a few things. My novella, The Last Daughter, finaled in the Booksellers Best contest, a Published Authors’ Contest sponsored by Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America. I was also a finalist in the Ida contest–the International Digital Awards sponsored by Oklahoma RWA. 

I think the best award of all has been that my stepson actually read The Last Daughter and even recorded it in his book journal right beneath Stephen King!

I don’t have any specific plans for 2015. For some reason my plans tend to fall by the wayside, so I’m just going to write, write, write whatever book, article, short story that pops into my heart. That seems to be when I accomplish the most.

What do you want to achieve in 2015? Share details!

IWSG DAY: PUBLISHING AND BEYOND

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Today is IWSG Day! Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh founded this group and he does a great job of keeping it going and encouraging everyone. 

Check out our awesome hosts this month: Heather Gardner, T. Drecker from Kidbits, Eva E. Solar at Lilicasplace, and Patsy Collins! And don’t forget that we have a Facebook page and also the IWSG Critique Circle. We are a thriving community!

I’m proud to say I’ve had a writing month. The first time in a long time. As many of you know, 2014 was filled with weddings and home renovation. Believe me when I say the wedding was easy-peasy compared to the renovation (you’ll learn all about that during our A to Z Challenge!). Finally, everything is over (except the decorating) and I can finally write.

I’ve made a new friend, one who is willing to meet me at the library and crank out pages for about 4 hours each week. You can’t imagine how this satisfies my writing soul. Heather and I are quite compatible. Neither one of us is a chatterbox so we’re comfortable sitting quietly in our own little worlds. We may take a break and discuss marketing or plotting or something we have questions about, but otherwise, we’re focused.

Leaving  the house to write has proven pretty successful for me in the past. I’m hoping this Calcasieu Parish Library is filled with good creative vibes just as the Mustang Library in Oklahoma was. It feels a little different, but I’m adjusting. Maybe I can get into a writing rhythm and complete some unfinished projects within the next few months. That’s my goal.

If you’re having trouble writing at home, keep jumping up to dust or get something to nibble on or talk to the (retired) hubby, consider leaving the house for at least one writing day. It really works.

Last week I finished a devotional story for a specific market. I get excited when I accomplish one of my goals, but then I remember the old saying, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. Anyway, if you have an interest in writing inspirational stories, check out these guidelines.

On another note, if you need some instruction, please check out the ‘latest greatest’ how-to book by many of your IWSG friends.  And I will be patting myself on the back since I made my deadline and contributed. Read below for details:

Publishing and Beyond is available for downloading. Please help us spread the word about this awesome book.

Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don’ts that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey.

ISBN 9781939844088
235 pages, FREE
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, Goodreads.

At the time of this posting, Amazon has Publishing and Beyond for 99 cents. Hopefully, that will be changed but … it’s worth it!

Thanks to everyone who contributed – it’s packed with information!

IWSG DAY: Find the Magic

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I look forward to the first Wednesday of each month because it’s IWSG day. 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! (And that would be ME!) IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and has hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of members. You can be one too. You can follow other IWSG members or meet them on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a thriving Facebook page. Look us over. I think you’ll like us!

And speaking of offering assistance and guidance … I’d like to share a book with you that’s helping me plot a new story. This author is one of my favorites. And she was my editor for The Last Daughter.

Award winning author and editor, Alicia Dean, shares her process of creating a story, along with bonus tips in her how to book, Find The Magic – How to Plot a Story in 10 Easy Steps. Through November 15th, it’s on sale for only 99 cents.  I finished reading Find the Magic last week. What I liked best about the book was Alicia’s honest voice. She made me trust her from page one. But why wouldn’t I? I know that she knows what she’s doing when it comes to writing, editing, critiquing and plotting.

Using specific examples from one of her own novels, Without Mercy (also 99 cents), Alicia shares how to plot a book and expand your outline into a well-developed draft. There is no one, perfect way to create a story, but there will be a method, or methods that work for you.
Find the Magic might hold the answers you need.

Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00OR0IY0W
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/find-the-magic-how-to-plot-a-story-in-10-easy-steps-alicia-dean/1120638115?ean=2940150382169

  In addition to being an author of more than twenty published works, Alicia Dean is both a freelance editor and an editor for The Wild Rose Press, under the name, Ally Robertson, in their suspense line. I highly recommend you get too know Alicia through her books, or social media.

Alicia/Ally is one of the good guys and she knows what writing, publishing and marketing is all about.

Website: http://aliciadean.com/ Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean

IWSG DAY! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

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Today is the one year anniversary of the IWSG website and their Facebook group. To celebrate, the IWSG Admins are putting together an anthology, The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond. From my understanding it will be a FREE help book. I’m sure this book will be fantastic; I’ll keep you informed.

I’m writing a short post to encourage you, though I wonder if you really need encouragement. Sometimes I think I’m the only writer in the world who isn’t writing. And it would be so simple to sit down, push everything and everyone out of my mind and write two pages a day. Two lousy pages. No one says they have to be good… they just have to BE. Except I can’t get my mind in the right place.

I got an email from a friend the other day sharing news that an essay he wrote was published in an anthology. He thanked me for being an inspiration to him, for sharing info, offering advice and suggestions and in general, just encouraging him. He doesn’t know how much his words mean to me. On that day, I needed encouragement too and his words offered it. They may not have seemed very important to him, but they told me I’m still on the right track with what I love, what I do and how I do it.

You know, this is what IWSG is all about. Encouraging each other. Don’t you love it?

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to let those people who inspire you or help you in any way know how much you appreciate them. We’re writers and writing notes of appreciation should be important to us. Besides, ignoring those who help us is almost akin to burning a bridge.

I told my friend, Stanley Klemetson, I’d mention the book here. It’s a little pricey, but if you’re interested, ask your library to get it and be sure to read Stan’s essay, Following Dreams Put on Hold. Here’s the press release. The anthology is called:

WRITING AFTER RETIREMENT
Tips for Successful Retired Writers

Unlike previous volumes which focus on how to earn a living while writing in very specific areas, this anthology accurately describes a wide range of different avenues an aspiring author can pursue, either for profit or for personal fulfillment. Speaking directly to retirees, this book opens doors to many other areas worth pursuing; its chapters vary from the inspirational (the importance of linking to a community with similar interests, reconnecting to one’s dreams, seeking inspirational sources) to the quotidian (everyday writing tips, and how to use one’s experience to find subjects to write about).

Writing after Retirement provides a variety of vantage points from published authors and paints a realistic portrayal of what it takes to get started in the industry. This book also includes preparation for the challenges that aspiring writers face, and practical guides for overcoming them.

A range of issues are addressed:
    Linking one’s writing to current activities
    The nuts and bolts of writing
    Planning one’s estate
    New career paths
    Writing opportunities
    Practical advice on how to take that first step

Whether writing for pleasure or for profit, the reader will find plenty to choose from in this collection.
Carol Smallwood co-edited Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching on the list of Best Books for Writers by Poets & Writers Magazine; Women Writing on Family: Tips on Writing, Teaching and Publishing (2012); Lily’s Odyssey (2010). Her library experience includes school, public, academic, special libraries, teaching, administration, and consulting

Christine Redman-Waldeyer launched Adanna, a print journal for women and about women, in January 2011. Redman-Waldeyer is a poet and assistant professor in the Department of English at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey. She has published three poetry collections.