short fiction Archives - Jessica Ferguson

Hello, my writer friends! What are you guys doing out there in writing land? This past week I’ve roughly outlined a series of NF books. Oh, please, don’t be impressed. I’m always doing that … I just never sit down and write the books. (slapping forehead).

I received a very powerful email from author (mentor to Christian writers) Shelley Hitz talking about the power of a book series (NF book series.) I’ve read it several times and each read-thru I get a little more pumped with ideas. So what did I do?

I sat down and wrote a short story. (slapping my forehead again!) Maybe some day I’ll seriously hit the nonfiction trail but when your first love is fiction …

This short story has been my first writing endeavor in more than a year. (In all fairness to me, I did edit my novel. The pandemic and the state of our country really messes with my head!) After hubby read through my story, asked his questions, made his suggestions, I sent it off to Woman’s World Magazine. Ten fingers and ten toes are crossed, and prayers are going up. I’ve sold them two stories during the past couple of years, but it seems every attempt is like starting from scratch, relearning how to pull a short romance together, at least for me. 700 words is tricky!

I really need some publishing encouragement. How about you?

For those of you who write mysteries, take a look at these two markets. You might have a story that fits. Please note: these are secular publications.

#1. Mystery Weekly Magazine

and

#2. Untreed Reads, a publishing house that was founded in 2008. Read the guidelines carefully.

(I Just) Died In Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired By One-Hit Wonders

Also, have you heard of the contest that Books and Such Literary Management is hosting in celebration of their 25 year anniversary? The deadline is May 15th but if you hurry …. Here’s the link:

I sent them my hook, and if I happen to be one of the finalists, I have my proposal all finished and ready to send.

Let me know what you’re writing … see you next week!

Jess

Here’s the banner advertising The Twelve Days of Christmas. Things are moving so fast with the production of this book, these stories, I’m nervous. My deadline is Sept. 1 and the release of my single story is Oct. 1. I just finished it today… well, the first draft. Tomorrow I’ll read it in its entirety to see if it makes sense. If it doesn’t .. panic time!

I don’t know how writers deal with multiple deadlines. Or multiple deadlines with multiple publishers. Juggling stories and dates, characters, plotlines and settings … oh my! I don’t care how many white boards or excel sheets they have–it has to be mind-boggling and nerve wracking! What if a story won’t come? What if an author finds a major, MAJOR plot hole that changes/prevents what she’d originally planned, promised in the original pitch?

Can you tell I’m dreading reading my 8000 word story, expecting the worst? I’ve made my list of things I know I’ll have to add and flesh out. That’ll up the word count some. I’ll read a hard copy with pen in hand. After I do the final revision, I’ll send it to a reader/freelance editor who’ll do her part.

When you do a final read-through of a project, how do you approach it? What do you look for? Do you have a weakness when it comes to writing short fiction–with characterization, plotting, conflict?
Or maybe I should ask … when you read a short story, what ruins it for you, what will make you quit reading? Share!

Let’s Get to Writing!

Dreading the Read-Through? Me too!