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Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

IWSG: Don’t Leave Me Hanging!

December 4, 2024 By Jessica Ferguson 6 Comments

It’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!
Our Purpose: 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! We post the first Wednesday of every month. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG are Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia,Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

 

December 4 question – Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or a reader?

Stories? As in books? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter because I won’t read something that isn’t finished. Cliffhangers at the end of a story implies (to me) that the story isn’t finished and I’ll have to purchase the next issue. If I’m not forewarned that the story is continuing through several more books (or issues), yeah, I’ll probably be ticked.

That being said, I do read series books. For example stories about siblings—and the reader meets all of them in the first book. A vague hint of each sibling’s problem are in each book. A good example would be Tina Radcliffe’s series books. Her Hearts of Oklahoma series is my favorite, but she also has the Lazy M Ranch series that I’m savoring now. I’ll read her romances without even glancing at the back cover blurb. Her characterization and story telling skills are excellent. 

I did read a Brenda Novak series where the thread of a crime wasn’t solved until the last book but there were clues throughout each book. It was well-done. 

And thinking back on my younger days, I bought a lot of magazines and read stories that continued through several issues. I wouldn’t do that today. I don’t have the patience for waiting and probably couldn’t remember to purchase the next issue. Or am I plagued with instant gratification?

But it doesn’t really matter what I like or dislike or what I think, if the writer can make it work s/he should go for it. But have thick skin just in case the criticism hits. After 50+ years, I have to say my skin still isn’t nearly thick enough. And way too often I pay attention to what isn’t said. I guess you might call that paranoia! 

That’s it until next month. Good writing and Merry Christmas to all of you.

Filed Under: IWSG, magazines Tagged With: Brenda Novak, cliff hangers, Instant gratification, series books, Tina Radcliffe

Let Me Recommend

May 21, 2021 By Jessica Ferguson 4 Comments

I’m determined to keep up the once-a-week blogging. It’s tricky getting back into it when one has been away so long. I don’t feel I’m saying much that’s beneficial to anyone. Maybe today:

Just out of curiosity, who reads blogs these days, and why? For inspiration? For research? I’d really like to know so I have questions for you at the end of this post.

My favorite blogs are writing related but when it comes to being a faithful reader, I’m not. I’ll scan to see if they’re writing about something that interests me. I ALWAYS read a post that has to do with markets and submissions. And plotting or outlining. (Crazy, isn’t it? I should really understand plotting and outlining by now.)

Hands down, my favorite blogger is bestselling author Tina Radcliffe

Her latest post Deadline Dementia speaks to me, and I’m sure it will make an impression on you too. Don’t we all work better, faster and more seriously if we have a deadline?

If you visit Tina’s site, please click on her For Writers Series and feast on all the informative articles she writes for us. I never hesitate to learn something I can actually apply.

The only downside I’ve found to Tina’s blog is that there’s no subscribe feature (if you find one, let me know). When I forget to pop in, my reading piles up or I miss valuable info.

Also, you might want to subscribe to her writing newsletter Inside Edition, that features links to articles, markets, contests and much more. If you don’t benefit from Inside Edition you can always unsubscribe. Give it a try. It’s the only newsletter I actually get impatient for!

Questions for you:

Just out of curiosity, do any of you follow blogs that are not writing related? What and why?

Do you know if there are any non-writers who read your blog?

Do you produce a newsletter? Why? Promoting your books only, or do you have personal tidbits?

How many newsletters do you subscribe to? Do you open them and actually read them?

Go Write!

To sum it up, I’m targeting Love Inspired with my latest manuscript. I’ve read (more than once!) and studied Tina Radcliffe’s Desconstructing a Romance Novel and several of my favorite LI writers. So far, I have 88 pages. Fingers crossed and many prayers that I can get through the middle!

And you? What are you working on this week?

Filed Under: Authors, Newletters and Blogs Tagged With: blogs, Newsletters, Romance novels, Tina Radcliffe

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  • Jessica on IWSG: Writing Fears
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