Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

CFBA introduces Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl

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Last week was the first time I’ve participated in the CFBA Blog tours in a couple of years. When I took a look at the May books, three sounded interesting but I was scared I couldn’t read them in a month’s time (I’m slow these days) or worse, that they wouldn’t be as good as they sound. Sometimes the blurbs are better than the books. Still, I decided to take a chance and order all three. If you read last week’s post, you know I thoroughly enjoyed Rise and Shine by Sandra D. Bricker. Gathering Shadows was excellent too. There have been times I’ve thought Christian fiction had a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I might be changing my mind. I’ve read three excellent books during the past month, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to any of you. I wonder … is Christian fiction changing or am I?  Maybe a little of both.

Check out Gathering Shadows by Nancy Mehl. I’m looking forward to her next book in this new series.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gathering Shadows
Bethany House Publishers (May 6, 2014)
by
Nancy Mehl

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Mehl lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband Norman and their dog, Watson. She’s authored thirteen books and is currently at work on her newest series for Bethany House Publishing.

All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.”

She and her husband attend Believer’s Tabernacle in Wichita.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn’t take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can’t pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station’s photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary. Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town’s handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family’s past hides in the shadows, it’s clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she’s searching for hidden forever–even if the cost is Wynter’s very life. If you’d like to read the first chapter of Gathering Shadows, go HERE.

CFBA Introduces Rise and Shine by Sandra D. Bricker

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I read a fun book a few weeks ago. Fun, meaning, different. Rise and Shine by Sandra D. Bricker,  grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let me go until the last page. Well, actually I did put it aside about ten or fifteen pages toward the end because when I read a really good book, I dread the ending. Sometimes that’s where the author screws up. Sometimes, the book is so good, I don’t want it to end. Sometimes I just want to savor what I’ve read before I turn the last page. Bricker did a great job with this book. In fact, I was so impressed, I spewed the entire plot to my daughter … and I don’t usually do that. I never give verbal book reports! I hate listening to them too. So let me ask you a question:
 
How would you like to wake up one day and learn you’d been in a coma for ten years? Pretty scary, huh? Can you even imagine what your life might be like? If you read Christian fiction, give this one a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. And for something a little extra, here’s an interesting blog post about writing by the author.

BTW, I received a complimentary copy for my honest comments about this book.  The opinions shared are mine alone.

 
 
 

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Rise and Shine
River North; New Edition edition (May 1, 2014)
by
Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television’s hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

The author says that it was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer. “I’m a Christian woman, first and foremost,” she says. “So it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch the Love Finds You line.”

Sandie’s real-life role as cancer survivor has parlayed into her steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research. Spearheading a series of devotionals for Summerside Press (such as the popular His Grace is Sufficient…Decaf is Not), the author has stipulated that a portion of each contributor’s proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

“Being allowed to combine my faith and my humor with raising funds for my pet projects … and still pursue my writing dream,” says Bricker, “well, that’s the best of all worlds, as far as I’m concerned!”

And one of the author’s pet projects is animal rescue, evidenced by the special bond she has created with one particular formerly-abandoned puppy — a red-haired collie with “killer brown eyes and the heart of the class clown.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Shannon Malone thought she’d found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she’s thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon’s tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone’s life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones! As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart’s dog, not hers. Shannon’s three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority. And Edmund’s sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel’s kiss awaken her once and for all?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Rise and Shine, go HERE.

IWSG Day! and More!

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I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!

Today is IWSG day–the first Wednesday of the month. IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. You can follow other IWSG members here  and on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG.

Our purpose 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.

We’re wrapping up renovation at our house and then, after putting everything back in its place, I’ll be in a position to tackle another kind of renovation. Novel renovation! Short story renovation! Mental renovation! I can’t wait!

You probably remember that I said I planned to go to the library every day of renovation and write. Did. Not. Happen. Why on earth I thought I’d be able to do such a thing is beyond me. I’ve never renovated a house before. I’ll give you a tip. Move out completely. Rent a pod or a storage house and get all your furniture out. Otherwise, you’ll go stark raving mad!

When it comes to renovating novels, I suppose we might say the same thing. Some people segregate things. One day they might tackle characterization or setting. The next, they look at the plot line. I hear Scrivener is great at helping compartmentalize things like this. I’m slowly learning Scrivener so we’ll see.

Even though I’m late posting IWSG today, I wanted to post to encourage you all. (And I didn’t want Alex to get me!)

On another note, I’d like for you to read an interview with me and my partner, Jan Rider Newman at The Review Review. Leslie Schultz spoke with us about starting our literary magazine, Swamp Lily Review. The Review Review quoted me at the very top of the website! I’m thrilled!

Z is for Zero

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Today is my last day of blogging through the alphabet with the many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge. It has been fun and, as the name implies, challenging. We’ve blogged daily–except for Sunday. I’m glad the end has come but I’m sad too. I always enjoy putting my thoughts down with no pre-planning. Something about spontaneous writing the morning of, proves to me that I CAN write every day. I need to make myself do it.

Today is Z day and I’ve chosen Zero for absolutely Zero words toward fiction writing. Ever since we started thinking about renovation, I’ve been unable to worm any creativity out of my mind toward my novels. Okay, I did write a 700 word mini-mystery, and I have met my NF deadlines. I guess that counts. But the novels are on the hard drive, exactly the way they were when we moved back home from Oklahoma last August. That’s embarrassing. And pathetic!

Time marches on. Hair gets grayer. Mind gets slower. Fingers become more arthritic.

Zero writing progress.

Zero sounds like such a nothing state of mind.

I’ve decided to pretend this A to Z Challenge is never-ending, and write at least 500 words a day on a new project. (Once I start, I can write for hours so maybe more than 500?) New projects are exciting. They energize us, don’t they? Once they’re embedded in our mind, they’re all we think about. Plotting, planning, naming characters, working out the conflict.

Keep your fingers cross for me.

Down with Zero productivity–for all of us!

Tell me what you plan to do now that you aren’t A to Z-ing any more. Rest? Dive into a new project? Finish an old one?  Share with us.

___________

The A to Z Challenge is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. Every year there are hundreds and hundreds of participants. This year 2018 bloggers signed up.  There’s some mighty good reading on these blogs. Check them out!

Y is for Yada, Yada, Yada

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I’ve been blogging through the alphabet with the many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge. We’ve blogged daily–except for Sunday. As much as I love the A to Z Challenge, and look forward to it every year, I’m always glad when we reach the end. Tomorrow will be Z day, and then a wrap-up on Thursday. The A to Z Challenge is the brilliant brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I wish I’d thought of it, though I’m sure I couldn’t have accomplished what Arlee has accomplished. I think we must all look forward to this wondrous event; it’s almost like a family or class reunion, or an Easter egg hunt where we reunite each year and play catch-up, and make new friends. I’d like to encourage you to visit all the various bloggers and their sites for entertaining, informative posts. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

Today is Y day and the first thing that popped into my mind was Yada Yada Yada. I’ve never liked that phrase, because I immediately wonder, what is the yada yada yada? What am I missing?

I became aware of Yada Yada Yada from a Seinfeld episode. But the phrase was used way before that in a Magnum PI episode, as well as a Cheers episode, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Seinfeld made it memorable.

According to several online dictionaries, Yada Yada Yada is nothing more than empty, boring talk. We face that every day, don’t we? Like when the woman from church shares every single thing she did during the week, including tidbits about the estranged cousins who came to visit. She calls them by name in her friendly, lyrical voice, as if we know them. I’m never sure how to respond to this kind of dialogue so I oooh and aaaah and make funny expressions in sympathy or encouragement.

If we’re not careful, we can write empty, boring dialogue like this in our short stories or novels. Dialogue that offers nothing to our readers and doesn’t move our story along. We may as well just write Yada Yada Yada. But then I wonder, isn’t Yada Yada Yada in the eye (or ear) of the beholder? Maybe it’s only boring to those who have a touch of impatience, or don’t enjoy dialogue, or want the story to zip along at a good pace. Sometimes, I guess.

I can tell when a contest judge speed reads my entry. She misses important details and asks about them in her comments. Maybe she doesn’t like dialogue so goes straight to the narrative. Or maybe my dialogue really is Yada Yada Yada.

Rambling dialogue is a killer in a book or story. Small talk shouldn’t happen. We’ve been told to write the way we talk, but we all know that can be a killer too. We stop, start, loose our train of thought. Yada Yada Yada!

Dialogue should have a purpose: reveal character, personality, build toward the conflict, the goal. Rather than reiterate here Yada Yada Yada, check out this great piece on writing dialogue. It’s a keeper.

And by the way, research shows that the word Yada is a Hebrew word that means “to know” so take a look and learn what yada really means.

Your thoughts?

X is for X Factor in Writing

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Join me as I blog through the alphabet. We post every day in April except Sundays. There are many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge too, which is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I’d like to encourage you to visit their entertaining, informative blogs. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

The letter X always brings two phrases to my mind: X marks the spot and X Factor.

X Factor is what I’ve chosen for today because of its importance in our writing. X factor is an unknown quality that only becomes known after following a prescribed process. Doesn’t that sound a little like writing? We outline our novels, follow guidelines, obey the rules, but honestly, we don’t know if our books work until after we finish and sit down for a read through. Or get that first critique or rejection.

X Factor comes from the world of math, of course, but it extends to the business world too, as well as the entertainment world.  Interviewers, judges, and I dare say, editors and agents consider that unknown, vital quality when they read over our manuscripts, judge a competition; there’s something extra, something that pops that gets their attention. Something they can’t quite put their finger on.

When an editor takes five manuscripts home with her, how many of the five will truly grab her? The X factor will make the difference. It might be a fantastic sense of setting, characters that walk off the page, an interweaving of plot that amazes, or an unique voice. We’re all aware of the “it” factor–translate X factor. We search for it ourselves when we’re looking for a good book to read or movie to watch or a special dress to wear.

When we started renovating our house, I came across the term, X stretchers. I’d never heard that phrase before but it’s defined as flat or curved supports forming an X shape used to connect and reinforce furniture legs. It can also be used in décor–X on glass cabinet doors, ornate knobs or other carved ornamentation. But it offers support. It occurred to me that these X stretchers are like the different aspects of our novels that do and should support each other. Like our setting can become a character and support the mystery.  Dialogue supports our characters. It makes them real or it can make them flat. Dialogue is supposed to move the story forward. Sometimes the dialogue can kill the story for the reader and they throw the book across the room.

To achieve the X Factor, we have to pay close attention to every sentence we write. Watch those passive verbs–make them active. Sentences should sing. Our setting needs to live. Is our rising action really rising? Are the characters in our stories alive to the reader? Not just a few readers, but many readers–ALL readers. Yeah, I know it’s impossible to please everyone but we do need to try. Striving for that X Factor just might help us attain best-seller status. At the very least, some excellent reviews.

I want the X Factor! Do you? How do we go about getting it? Share your thoughts. 

W is for Women’s Fiction Writers Association

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W is for all kinds of Wonderful Words but especially, in my mind, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. WFWA is about a year old and run by volunteers. I think a few writers of women’s fiction left Romance Writers of America when a shift of focus left many of them out in the cold. I’m so glad to see an organization specifically for women’s fiction. Remember the book I’m working on where the heroine lies … it’s women’s fiction.

WFWA has this description on its website:  An inclusive organization of writers who create stories about a woman’s emotional journey.

My book is definitely about a woman’s emotional journey! I feel like jumping up and down and yelling, I have a home! I have a home! It’s called WFWA.

These men and women (yes, men!) are career focused when it comes to networking, education and continuing support in career growth.

I hope you’ll visit our website, https://womensfictionwriters.org/  and if you decide to join, the dues are $48.00 a year, and worth every penny. The website has Wonderful resources and the community has Wonderful discussions. I’ve enjoyed having authors of women’s fiction at my fingertips–all in one spot–where I can ask questions and get answers. I believe when you visit their website, you’ll be able to click on a directory to see published WF authors. Check it out and see the important and best selling names listed there.

If you decide to join Women’s Fiction Writers Association, don’t forget to ‘friend’ me and let met know you’re there. As a member you’ll get the bimonthly Write On, our eZine. I’m the volunteer highlights editor. Also, our members receive a weekly Industry Update. We have classes–many of them free–and a contest for our members entitled, Rising Star. Next year we’ll hold our first writer’s retreat in San Antonio, Texas!

I’m so excited about this group. Please, check it out! Go to https://womensfictionwriters.org/.

If you have any questions, just ask me and I’ll get the answers for you.
Have a great weekend!

_____

Join me as I blog through the alphabet. We post every day in April except Sundays. There are many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge too, which is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I’d like to encourage you to visit their entertaining, informative blogs. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

V is for Vittles

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Vittles. Say it aloud. Vittles. My grandmother used to tell us to eat our vittles. It sounds like an old word, doesn’t it? According to Merriam-Webster it means food and drink. Another online dictionary states it originated between 1805 and 1815.

I like the memories it brings forth of my little granny churning butter, wearing her bonnet as she poked around in her garden, setting her dining room table with her home-grown food and fried chicken (back then I wasn’t a vegetarian!) but especially her wonderful egg-custard pie.

The word Vittles makes me want to write a historical. I’ve jotted down ideas but the research flat-out scares me. I’ve read all about writing a historical novel and taken a couple of courses on research. I guess I need to just sit and write the story, then go back and analyze each word to make sure of its origin. Some of my friends emphasize the importance of getting the facts just right. And that’s true.

I heard a writer speak once and challenged by someone in the audience because she’d made a mistake in her research. Seems she had a flower growing in Louisiana that didn’t grow in the state. My thought was … who cares? But readers of historical fiction want everything factual. I’ve read reviews that berated authors for trite mistakes. These are the kinds of things that make me freeze (or block me) when I think about writing a historical.

Choosing a time period that intrigues me is what I’m supposed to do first. Unfortunately, it’s not the time period that intrigues me, it’s something that actually happened that intrigues me. I want to use a specific disaster/tragedy as the backdrop for my story. Is there a difference? I think so.

I’m not too keen on investing as much time researching the era/locale as it takes to write the story. And paying attention to the clothing, household items, furniture and architectural design is frightening. Not to mention finding at least three sources for my historical data.

I read a romance recently that took place during the 40s. I felt as if the author pounded me on the head on every page with the differences between then and now. I didn’t enjoy it very much.

Isn’t it crazy that I got all this out of the word Vittles? Funny how certain words conjure up thoughts and images. I really do want to write a historical. I used to love to read them. Do you have any tips for me? Suggestions? Get me started!

_______________
Join me as I blog through the alphabet. We post every day in April except Sundays. There are many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge too, which is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I’d like to encourage you to visit their entertaining, informative blogs. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

U is for Understand (Our Characters)

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Join me as I blog through the alphabet. We post every day in April except Sundays. There are many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge too, which is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I’d like to encourage you to visit their entertaining, informative blogs. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

How important is it for us to Understand our characters? To know when they were born, what kind of grades they made in school, if they were troublemakers, pranksters or popular with their schoolmates? As their creators, to what extent should we know them?

I’ve read books that had such well-rounded characters that I’ve wondered if they were real friends of the author and she just slapped them on paper, the way she knew them. Other authors are as challenged with character creation as I am. Of course, sometimes I think I’ve done a good job but an editor or critique partner will yell, “More, more! You need more …” And I wonder how many “layers” I have to add to make these fictional people real.

The answer is several layers. I need to address and Understand their psychological, emotional and physical make-ups. I need to evaluate Understand their motivations, their relationships, their needs. And so much more.

Do you fill out character sheets for each character? I usually let each character write me a letter or essay (stream of consciousness) telling me all about their lives. I may not use all that info, but I enjoy getting to know them.

I have a character in one of my books that is too perfect. All my critiques, editors, contest judges commented on her being way too good and perfect. It took me awhile to realize she was supposed to be perfect, that’s part of the problem. Remember that student in your class that was the golden girl/guy? Everything good happened to them? Teachers loved them, they got most likely to succeed or most popular? Those people exist! But how do we write them to make them real, and likable? I’m still struggling with this character. She’s made one bad mistake in her life that haunts her, but it’s not until the end of the book that she’s slapped in the face with it.  I have no idea if this book (or her character) works.


Some of my friends use Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs when working out their characters. Maslow explains how we’re motivated by our needs and our most basic needs are inborn. We must satisfy each need, starting with the first, which deals with survival. When those lower needs of physical and emotional well-being are satisfied, we move on to the higher order of influence and personal development.

Do you always Understand your characters or do you give them free rein? How do you create well-rounded, real characters? Where do you start? With character charts, their basic problem, the story itself? Share your characterization secrets!

T is for Travel

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Join me as I blog through the alphabet. We post every day in April except Sundays. There are many others participating in the 2014 A to Z Challenge too, which is the brainchild of Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. I’d like to encourage you to visit their entertaining, informative blogs. I’m amazed at the many talented people who participate in the A to Z Challenge.

Today I’ve chosen the word TRAVEL, and that would be Travel by car. Trains might be fun too, but I want to travel in  conjunction with writer’s conferences.

Hubby and I had planned to attend the Jambalaya Writers’ Conference this year but we had a wedding to attend. We also wanted to go to Nashville this August, do a little exploring and attend the Killer Nashville conference. Daughter’s wedding is that exact weekend. Something to look forward to in 2015, I guess.

There are a number of mystery conferences across the country. Key West is on our list of places to see. Here’s an interesting writer’s workshop, though I don’t know many of these instructors. I think for me, the Mystery Writers Key West Fest sounds more fun.

There are some wonderful conferences all across the country: Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, New Orleans and Atlanta!

We haven’t had a vacation in fourteen years, so Travel with a capital T is definitely on our list of things to do. And when we sit down to make our list of places we want to go, I’ll research writers’ conferences and plan our trip. Any suggestions?

What’s the best conference you’ve ever attended? Do you vacation every year?