Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

Do You Know What You Don’t Know?

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I’ve been doing line edits on my novella. Not fun while feeling miserable. I don’t get sick often but when I do … it’s usually a whopper. I’m on the mend though so thanks for good thoughts coming my way.

About the line edits … It’s frightening to realize how much I don’t know about POV, showing and telling, and overwriting. The most subtle observation/thought/action on the part of a character can be a point of view violation. If I dwell on these things I don’t know, I’ll find myself in the middle of writer’s block quicksand—sinking fast. Instead, I’m trying to marvel at how much stronger my story becomes when I edit, choose stronger verbs, cut unnecessary words and repair those POV problems. And I’m trying to learn. Odd that I can catch these problems in other people’s manuscripts but not mine. Why is that?

I love my story. I love my characters. Is that wrong to say? Probably, but I’m a little impressed with myself for ‘thinking up’ such a story. For so long I’ve felt creatively dead. I felt like I really stretched my brain.

My novella is called The Last Daughter and is part of the Scrimshaw Doll series by Oklahoma Romance Writers. It’s a romantic suspense and should be out later this year. Here’s an unofficial blurb:

Given away as a child, Rayna Guilbeau grew up with questions—questions about her real family and questions about how she ended up in Louisiana with a disfiguring heart branded on her chest. When she sees a sale ad for a house in Oklahoma City called Wounded Heart, she feels an instant connection. Somehow, the house holds the key to her mysterious past.

Trent Jones, an easy-going picker who’s always looking to make a few bucks, is the new owner of Wounded Heart, a three-story house filled with antiques and mystery. When an intriguing young woman shows up on his property at midnight, claiming she was born there, he knows his life is about to change.

A mysterious trash man, a gunshot through a bedroom window, and a cursed doll named Tiva spark an emotional journey into danger. Together, Trent and Rayna find answers, family, and unwavering love.

You can get to know some of my characters by following The Schrimshaw Doll blog. I contributed my second post today. You can check out both posts by clicking on the following links. Would love for you to leave a comment!

Cursed Dolls Don’t Weep–Or Do They?

 

 

Good News Galore

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There’s so much to tell you, I don’t know where to start so I think I’ll list in linear fashion.

If you read my previous post, you know that I received a blog critique from marketing consultant, Laura Barnes. I was really nervous about it because I’ve never considered my posts or my blog very professional. Most of the time, I feel like a whiner. Laura gave me a great critique with some wonderful suggestions. I’ve put some of them into action. Read what she had to say and feel free to make a few suggestions of your own. For info on how to submit your blog for her critique, go here.

 

Second, I spoke at the BWG conference. I even had print copies of Hearts, Hearths & Holidays. What fun to have a book to sign. Three people who’ve read my story, A Child Was Born, said I made them cry. That was exactly what I’d hoped to achieve but thought I’d missed the mark. Even now, I keep rewriting in my head. Anyway, I took twelve books and sold six.

Author/Editor Linda Yezak & Jess

I was the second speaker, and so glad to get it over with so I could relax and listen to the others.  Honestly, I loved speaking. I always do–even though it’s scary when I first look out among all those faces staring back at me. What do they need? What do they want? How can I help? I wish I could get each and every one of them motivated to write daily, research markets, sell. No matter how much we share and teach, it’s really up to them. And basically, that’s what I told them. They have to make up their minds to grab their dream. My title was: The Power of the Made Up Mind.

After the conference, I checked email on my B’berry and had a message from an editor who wrote:

“The committee has completed the evaluation of your story, Peace of Heart. And, I’m very pleased to say that they have allowed me to offer you a contract. Congratulations!

If you accept …”

IF I accept? Really!

That’s my good news. I’ve signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press and I’m looking forward to making the editorial changes, seeing my cover, and sharing the happenings and happiness with you.
More later.

Falling In Love With Kindle–A Romance

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I’ve finished my novella! Thanks to everyone who commented and encouraged regarding my ending. Several comments really helped me. I can’t say that I’m 110% in love with my ending, but at least it’s an ending. 

Now…

Finally … finally, I’ve fallen in love with my Kindle. Not because of anything I’ve bought and read, or the convenience of having 500 books flopping around in my purse no matter where I am. Rather, I love it for what it helps me do. I had no idea . . .

I’m sure most of you knew that you can email your manuscripts to your Kindle address to proof and/or critique your own novel. I had no clue this was possible. Let me tell you who haven’t taken advantage of this, it really works! All the problems in my book seemed magnified!

When I saw my novella in the same format as your books I’ve purchased, I was able to see clearly much of what I needed to fix, improve, flesh out or cut. Over the weekend, Saturday through Monday, I went through the story twice, read every word twice, and I felt confident enough to send it to a reader who will look at it one more time to make sure certain elements fall into place before I query the editor.
My novella was written to be a part of a series published by The Wild Rose Press, an e-Book series. There are elements that must fall in line with the other books already published.

Now… while I wait for one of the other authors to read my book, I’d better get to work on another short piece I’ve started. I’ve been invited by a friend to create a Christmas story for an anthology she wants to publish. Fifteen thousand words and deadline is October 15th. Let’s see how fast I can get into the Christmas spirit.

What have you got going these days? What do you want to accomplish between now and December 31st? In the wonderful words of Tim Gunn: make it work!

The End – Or Is It?

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I’m in a bind and need help.

I finished my novella some time ago and absolutely loved my ending. It left me endeared to my characters and a smile on my face. I felt that even though the story is a little creepy with a couple of evil characters, the ending would leave the reader feeling good. After all, those evil characters were put in their place–so to speak.
However, I sent my manuscript to beta readers and agreed with all their suggestions. They were easy to make. One, whose opinion I really value because she reads across the board, said she thought my ending needed more punch. The story didn’t end with action–just a sweetness. I could see exactly what she meant. My sweet ending was easily incorporated into “the punch” except for one thing: I have no ending now. I don’t have satisfaction, a paragraph or two that makes me feel the story has truly ended. I can’t find that comfortable wrap-up, and that final satisfying sentence that makes me nod, or smile or wipe away a tear.
I keep putting my characters in different locations to see if something sparks my imagination: a brother’s condo where they share a cup of coffee and wrap up loose ends. Doesn’t work.
I’ve put them in a hotel, in the breakfast bar, with swollen eyes from weeping and lack of sleep. That’s okay, but I don’t have the right dialogue for a wrap-up.
Now, I’m investigating them standing around a safety-deposit box, discovering some things they didn’t know. They’re together and they’re getting more answers. This seems like just one more chapter I’ll need before the final wrap-up.
My endings have always been fairly easy, evolving from the characters and their situation. I’m at a complete loss.
Do you know your ending before you finish your book? If not, how do you determine what works and what doesn’t, and what leaves the reader satisfied? Do you change your ending often? If you have no clue to your ending, how do you create one?
I’m desperate for comments and suggestions.

The End: Epilogue

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I know you’ve heard the saying that the first sentence (paragraph or page) sells your first book and the last page sells the next book. That’s always in my mind when I’m writing or reading. I love finishing a great read, closing the book and sitting there in awe, thinking about the characters. Doesn’t happen too often but it does happen.

Yesterday I finished my novella. I didn’t feel the same euphoria I felt when I finished my first novel and I wondered about that. Still haven’t figured out why. When I went to bed last night, my characters were still throwing dialogue at me–as they’ve done through the entire story. They talk to me continuously. They even pointed out some problem areas that I’ll fix today.

But, back to my ending. I have an epilogue. This story seemed to call for one. 

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An epilogue or epilog is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work.

An epilogue is a final chapter at the end of a story that often serves to reveal the fates of the characters. Some epilogues may feature scenes only tangentially related to the subject of the story. They can be used to hint at a sequel or wrap up all the loose ends. They can occur at a significant period of time after the main plot has ended.  

An epilogue can continue in the same narrative style and perspective as the preceding story, although the form of an epilogue can occasionally be drastically different from the overall story.  

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My epilogue takes place a few weeks after my story ends, a wrap-up, a hint of things to come, a happily ever after. I like it, but I feel some doubt. I’ve read that we shouldn’t use the epilogue as the actual end of a story, and I’m wondering if I’ve done that.

My question is: when do epilogues NOT work? Do you like them? Do they feel like a cheat to you? When are they most effective?  Give me your best advice and thoughts regarding epilogues.

OUTLINE!

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I think I’ve blogged before about outlining my first book, The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes.  I took twelve sheets of typing paper and each signified a chapter.  Then I recorded everything I wanted to happen in each chapter. That book was published by Silhouette Romance and I never, ever outlined a book again. And I never sold another book either. I’ve written (or tried to write) six or eight books since then–but only completed three. And believe me when I say a couple of those completed books have plot holes that would swallow a publishing house.

The point is, I failed because I became a pantser. My bad!

So here’s the deal: OUTLINE! If you’re having problems completing a project, or creating scenes that happen in a logical way or spotting holes and inconsistencies, try OUTLINING!

My latest project–a 25,000+ word novella–is outlined in detail. Granted, I was so incredibly inspired by the premise of this story that I had no trouble writing a detailed synopsis–nine pages. Then I turned those nine pages into a detailed outline. Ten chapters. The words are flowing. I write each day. I know where I’m going. And my outline doesn’t mean I’m locked into anything. In fact, chapters one and two were combined immediately and I’m a little surprised at a couple of scenes that weren’t planned. Don’t feel as thought your hands are tied or your creativity stifled, things can and will change as the characters evolve and reveal themselves. I’m excited because nothing is slowing me down. I love my characters and they love me. I think they love me because I outlined and got to know them a little before I slapped them in their respective scenes and chapters.

We all know and agree there’s no right or wrong way to write a book. We have to choose the method that works for us. No matter if it’s sitting down and slinging word after word like a crazy person out of control, or if it’s confidently and safely glancing over at a detailed outline that lights the blurry path.

Do what works for you, but if you’re having problems and can’t finish a book  . . . OUTLINE!

Remember: People who get off to a great start have better success. And I think you can take that to the bank.

Do you outline or do you hit the ground running?

H. O. P. E.

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At this moment I’m at 5,279 words on my novella. I hope to  write a little every day. Anyone interested can pop in and check my progress HERE.

Today I’m meeting friends who are driving in from Texas and other parts of Oklahoma to attend the Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference.  This year it isn’t possible for me to attend. I’m disappointed. I’d really hoped to meet and talk with Chuck Sambuchino about my nonfiction book. I have so many questions. You might remember that I participated in Chuck’s blog tour when his book, How To Survive a Garden Gnome Attack came out.

Sometimes I feel I have way too many irons in the fire. I get tired, run down and sometimes feel overwhelmed. If it wasn’t for writer friends and writer groups, it would be easy to get interested in something other than writing–something that doesn’t drain the emotions on a continuous basis. Yesterday I visited an online group called the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. You can check it out HERE.  I read a few of the blogposts and actually felt myself getting a little depressed.  Some of these writer’s were really reaching out, bearing their soul about their insecurities. That seemed to feed my own insecurities so I had to quit reading. The point of this group is for bloggers, on the first Wednesday of each month, to blog about some problem, or need or insecurity or question they have, and comments are left to encourage. One person blogged about hope. She said she knew her present novel wouldn’t get her there and that her hope and belief are fading. Her post spoke to me and actually brought tears to my eyes. I’ve reached the point where I’m trying not to think about whether anything I write will get me there. In fact, I’m probably reaching the age that it’s a little too late to get there. But, her post made me look hard at the word hope. That’s when I saw a message to ME. 

H – Have
O – Options
P – Print

 (and/or)
E – Epub

We do have options: print publishing or Epublishing. There is always, always hope.

 Do you ever find yourself dragging emotionally and losing hope in some of your favorite writing projects? How do you keep yourself pumped and positive?

Writing At The Library

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I’m working on a novella for a specific market. In my mind the book is about ten chapters, 2500 words in each, for a total of something like 25,000 words. Last week I wrote 740 words. That doesn’t count all those blog posts for the A to Z Challenge.

The smartest thing I did before sitting down to write was to list all my characters and their part in the story, then create a detailed synopsis.  Then I broke down my synopsis into a detailed chapter by chapter outline. Granted, I know my story better than I’ve known any story. Don’t ask why  because I have no idea. This story just excites me. My heroine popped into my head with real experiences and the story grew out of her.

Yesterday, I met my friend Janie at the Mustang Library. We were there from 9:30 until almost 3:00 and I churned out 3,677 words. We skipped lunch. And while my stomach howled, I wrote and wrote and wrote.

A lot of writers (called pantsers) don’t believe in outlines but I do so much better with them. Having one doesn’t mean I’m locked in. I feel like an outline gives me freedom to write. With my ‘map’ in front of me I can get to the treasure– the finished manuscript.

I don’t expect to churn out that many words every day. In fact, today I feel a little brain dead and very drowsy.

How many words do you consistently write a day? Do you ever feel mentally exhausted if you over do it? Do you work with an outline–vague or detailed–to get you to the end of your project?

Back to Real Life

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The A to Z Challenge has ended. It was fun. I learned a lot, read some great blogs,  and I wrote every day. Now let’s get back to our regularly scheduled program: I’m taking part in a challenge issued by my OKRWA group. Everyone participating must have a completed novel by July 4th. 2012. I’m working on a novella–approximately 25,000 words. Can I do it? Sure I can!

Today I’m meeting a friend at the library and we’re going to write, write, write. 

More later.

Projects for 2012

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We’re 16 days into 2012. What have you accomplished?

I turned in my article on Louisiana author Christa Allan. It will be in the March issue of Southern Writers Magazine.

I’ve put my novel away–the one I completed and marketed to Christian publishers. I took it apart and tried to rewrite it for the secular market. It’s the one that was a finalist at Killer Nashville. Rewriting–a complete rewrite–is difficult. I lost my vision for the book. Well, actually, I didn’t lose my vision, I just lost myself. I thought I could pull out the faith elements and rewrite, but it didn’t work that way. The minute I took their faith from my characters, their Christian reasoning, praying, their Christian World View, they became different people, and then I saw the pages being gobbled up and disappearing and well … I need to step back from it for awhile. Get to know these new characters. I need to do a story board or something, gain better control of the timeline. Anyway, it’s constantly on my mind. I hear my characters conversing, I jot down things they say and do. Hopefully, I’ll get back to it soon.

In the mean time, I’d love to pursue obsessive-compulsive organizational habits. I think being organized makes a huge difference in whether one is successful or not–no matter what they attempt. On the whole, I’m not an organized person, but if you give me one project at a time, I’m organized. Make sense? Baby steps, baby steps.

I’ve started two new projects. I’m super excited about both. I’ve been thinking about a nonfiction book for about a year and making notes. I’ve finally started outlining it. Since a lot of interviewing will have to take place, I’m devising some powerful (yes, they have to be powerful!) questions for my subjects. I’ve never written a NF book. I need to learn exactly how much I should write before I query. I understand one doesn’t have to write the entire book before they can query or even sell. The research has been fun. So if any of you have experience pulling together a NF book, any thing you can share will be appreciated.

I’m also working on a novella. No market in site–just something I have to write. Oddly enough, this started out in my mind as a NF book, and then it hit me that I should write the same story but from a fictional character’s POV; a fictional character who is a composite of many characters. I’m handwriting it. At some point, I’ll start typing, I’m sure, so I’m waiting for that pull to the laptop. Right now, the intimacy of writing by hand is keeping me excited about the story. I’ve even been waking in the middle of the night because scenes invade my sleep. Don’t you love it when you’re that excited/obsessed about a subject? At this point, it’s from the male point of view. While I write, I’m very conscious of POV–trying to put myself in his/her/its place and look out at the world. I’m thinking about revising it to an androgynous point of view to make the subject matter more universal. I’ll decide about that once I start revising. Could be that from the male POV would be the more perfect love story but I want to use the POV that makes it a more powerful story. Your thoughts?

So now that you know what I’m doing, what’s on your plate? New projects or finishing up old ones? Anything you’re super excited about? Obsessed with? Worried about? Scared to attempt? Details!