Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

IWSG: New Dreams & Goals

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Today is IWSG day. We usually post the first Wednesday of the month but the first Wednesday was New Year’s Day and we figured you’d be sleeping … or traveling.

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.
2014 is the beginning of NEW. We can start from scratch with our dreams, goals and manuscripts. Hey, believe it or not, it’s a writer’s world out there. Ours for the taking. Some people think writers have never had it so good.

Don’t bring your 2013 baggage (negative thoughts, self-pity, poor-me attitude) into this year. Start fresh with a positive attitude. Finish those stories and novels, then start new ones–immediately.

The key to success is confidence in yourself, showing no fear, and knowing what you want. Traditional publishing? I heard recently that the chances of getting your digital rights back are pretty slim. Does that matter to you? Since books can sell on Amazon forever, maybe it should.

So you might add another key to success: educating yourself. Know exactly what you’re getting from traditional publishers and what a small press or self-publishing has for you. Believe me, they differ.

It’s a new year … and a new publishing world. Grab hold of both  … with both hands.
And hang on!

Happy 2014. I wish you every success.

Contest Feedback

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For the past several years, I’ve enjoyed entering the Killer Nashville Claymore contest. One reason I like it so much is because it’s for both published and unpublished writers. To me, that means a lot. I like competing with more experienced writers–especially when I place in the contest. A few years ago, I was a top ten finalist. Of course, I think I was at the bottom of the top ten, but still …

Last year, I posted comments and critique from my judges on a manuscript that didn’t place. If you missed it, you can read it here. Below is feedback on my 2013 entry. I’ve learned a lot from KN’s feedback. I’m seeing a lot of the same comments over and over again. For example, less dialogue and more narrative. That’s hard for me. I LOVE dialogue! Reading it and  writing it. All their suggestions are worth looking at and I thought you might be interested. Killer Nashville is a great little conference–growing tremendously in reputation and attendance. Check it out.

Claymore Feedback Form
Title: __All in the Family_ ________
Strong Beginning

The judges liked that author introduced the crime right away in a dramatic way, but thought that the principal’s behavior was unrealistic and a bit confusing. Why wouldn’t he offer to watch her class?

Character

The author did a good job describing the characters. The interactions with the relatives were very vivid. Yet, the writer may want to rethink making the main character, Teemy, stupid. One said, “Being a teacher, I believe she should be intelligent. A few of her lines seemed unnatural. Example of one of her lines that didn’t work: “How did everyone know?” (It was just yelled to the entire class.)”

Setting

The description of the house was realistic and intriguing. One judge said, “I felt like I wanted to visit the home.” However, it lacked a true description of the town and school.

Dialogue

Some of the voices sounded the same. Incidences that were developed through action were repeated in the dialogue, slowing the story down. Less dialogue and more narrative could strengthen the story and add more depth.

Plot

The judges thought this was an interesting premise and liked the direction of the story.

Suspense/Tension

The suspense is strong. More tension could be added with more showing instead of telling. (Immerse the reader in the scene rather than just telling us what happened.)

Conflicts

The conflicts are realistic and carry throughout the story – well done.

Pacing

It is fast paced, but it may need to slow down a bit. The author needs to take the time to tell the story. While it may seem counterintuitive, it’s often more effective to immerse the reader in a scene; even though it takes more words, the pacing can seem quicker.

Voice/Writing Style

This is a talented writer with an interesting story. Be careful of an over-reliance on clichés.

Grammar and Mechanics

There are no problems in this area. The judges only noticed a few missing commas.

Additional Comments

One judge said, “I see a lot of potential with this story. With the help of an experienced editor, this could be a hit.”

Blog Tour

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I volunteered to participate in a blog tour and answer the four questions below. I was supposed to find three other authors to answer the same questions on January 6th but I could only find one, so I hope you’ll pop over to visit her too–next week. Caryl has a new book coming out in early 2014.
 
1. What are you working on right now?
I’m working on a career plan for 2014. These days, publishing is a little like walking down the detergent aisle. There are way too many choices. Should I try for an agent? A traditional publisher or a small press? Those are questions I wrestle with. I heard recently the chances of getting our digital rights back from a traditional publisher are pretty slim. That makes me want to investigate smaller presses and stick with the ebook market.  Then I confuse myself by asking… why should I care about digital rights? Aside from my career plan, I’m working on a couple of romantic suspense novels and a romantic comedy.
 
 
2. How does it differ from other works in its genre?
I don’t know that my work differs in any way from what’s out there. That’s sad, isn’t it? If it does differ, readers will have to tell me.
 
 
3. Why do you write what you do?
Do I have a choice? I write what comes to me–romantic comedy, romantic suspense, women’s fiction. The other day I got an idea for a time travel. I have the beginning and the ending but no middle. The middle is always the hardest part for me. When ideas pop into my head, I start writing.
 
4. How does your writing process work?
I don’t have a tried and true, real-to-me process. Each story dictates how I write it. The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes was outlined chapter by chapter. The Last Daughter was the easiest to write. It came to me all at once, pretty complete. I wrote the synopsis first. My short stories were taken from novels that didn’t sell or are unfinished. There’s no method to my madness.

I wish I could get organized in 2014 and actually learn how to ‘churn’ out books, novellas and all kinds of stories. All tips welcome.
 
Don’t forget to visit Caryl McAdoo on January 6th.  
 
 

From the Slacker …

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It’s easy to get out of the habit of blogging. I’ve really been a slacker, haven’t I? In  more ways than one. Hopefully, that will change with the first of the new year. Yes, I’m still alive, and tomorrow I MUST finish up my Christmas shopping–whether I want to or not.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes. Anything here you can relate to?

The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly. ~Oswald Chambers

You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you’re working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success–but only if you persist.  ~Isaac Asimo

The more we fear starting a project, the more difficult the project becomes in our mind. This is self-defeating. ~Rob Parnell

Sometimes, when it’s going badly, she wonders if what she believes to be a love of the written word is really just a fetish for stationary. The true writer, the born writer, will scribble words on scraps of litter, the back of a bus ticket, on the wall of a cell.   ~David Nicholls

Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good. ~William Faulkner

My Christmas stories are featured on  Pamela Thibodeaux’s blog on Tuesday. I hope you’ll visit and leave a comment.  
Is everyone ready for Christmas?

IWSG: A Blank Mind

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Today is IWSG day–the first Wednesday of each 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.

But unfortunately, I can’t think of one thing to say to you: not one word of encouragement or guidance–no words of wisdom whatsoever. I feel like a blackboard with smears of chalky white. All my ideas and plans have been erased leaving nothing but unidentifiable smudges behind. Ever felt that way?

Obviously, I’m in a funk. Maybe you have a word or two for me.

Christmas Short Stories – MINE!

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I’ve always wanted to write a series: short stories or novels. Haven’t done it yet. However, I have two Christmas stories available and in my mind, they’re a series. I call them my Gift of a Lifetime series. Today I learned my short story, A Child Was Born is FREE. Grab it while you can. If you like it, you might want to read If You Believe only 99 cents. Remember, these are short stories–not novels and not novellas. A Child Was Born is part of an anthology so you’ll actually get seven stories FREE.
 
 The links are below. Just click on the red title.
 
Volume 3 in Kathi Macias’ 12 Days of Christmas series
 

When Marketing Assistant Bretta Richert helps tie up loose ends for the extravagant Louisiana Wedding Gala held that very night, she’s stunned to come face to face with her ex-fiance. Cory is back in town and worse, he’s a huge part of the Gala.

Bretta has held grudges and nursed hurts for the past five years, but Cory acts as though they’ve never been apart. Can he explain why he never called or sent one measly post card? Should Bretta forgive and forget? Will she accept his gift of a lifetime?

 
When a cowboy bearing gifts crashes a BFF Christmas Retreat, he gets more than he bargained for … the gift of a lifetime.
 
You can also purchase Hearts Hearths & Holidays in print if you prefer.

IWSG: Reviews–Gotta Love ’em!

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IWSG is the brainchild of our awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you want to become a part of this group, check out our website. I should say, check out our beautiful, informative website. Lots to see and learn there! We’re also on Facebook now. Exciting!

Today, let’s talk about reviews … or should I say, let’s whine about reviews. Actually, I don’t want to talk or whine… I want you to explain them to me. Aren’t reviews a little like voting? Can a bad review cancel out a good one? Does each review stand alone? No doubt, they all confuse me.

I’ve really enjoyed the reviews I’ve received on my novella, The Last Daughter. I have thirty of them. I know it takes time to figure out what to say, so I appreciate everyone (yes, everyone) who took the time to write one.

It thrills me to think thirty people actually read my book … and I have friends who read it that don’t review. Ever notice how weird friends act around you before they read your book? Like … they’re scared it’s going to be crummy and they won’t know what to say to you. I understand that. I’ve felt that way too. And then there are friends who buy it, read it … don’t tell you until afterwards. I understand that too. Better to protect friendships. (I knew a guy who sent his friends detailed critiques of their published books. Ouch!)

I guess my biggest complaint about reviews is when someone writes that there are huge gaps in the story, that it didn’t make sense. That hurts. Especially when I worked hard to create/construct a story that makes sense. I want to know where those gaps are. 

A couple of people stated The Last Daughter was a horrible story. For one person, that wasn’t strong enough. S/he said, “Horrible. Horrible. Horrible.” I guess three horribles makes it worse than horrible. Point taken. Stories that have to do with abuse aren’t for everyone. Yeah, it gets a little dark but you read worse in the newspaper.

Oddly, these reviews haven’t bothered me. Seriously, they haven’t, but they have confused me. Were there gaps because of a glitch in the epublishing, the formatting? Couldn’t a reader tell if that happened? Or did I seriously screw up some transitions?

One review that had me really confused was the one that said, “I really enjoyed the book which moved along at a nice pace. The one thing I never like in any novel is when the female allows a man to have the upper hand, as this one did with her ex boyfriend. She should never have allowed him back into her life.”

Ex boyfriend? What ex-boyfriend?  She didn’t have one. Still, I’m glad she liked my story and thought I had good pacing. That’s important.

I did get some excellent reviews. Believe it or not, not all of them came from family and friends. Some of the “fun” ones are HERE.

30 Reviews

5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (10)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star: 
 
  (3)

   




Share with me: how do you feel about reviews? Do you learn anything from them? (I’ll be paying closer attention to transitions–just in case!) Some of my friends say they never read them. Really?  C’mon, never?

 

Guest Blogging at Long and Short Reviews

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I’m guest blogging on Nov. 1st at Long and Short Reviews. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/category/guest-blogs/  There have been a lot of bloggers during the past four days with each post having its own time slot.

I will appear at 10 A.M. Eastern time.  Here’s the link to my post but it won’t work until that time:  http://wp.me/p2ZcT9-6fY

Leave a comment tomorrow on that post, and I’ll toss you in the pot for a prize–a mask and beads just in time for Mardi Gras! Believe me, Mardi Gras can be just as spooky as Halloween.

Do you have Halloween parties? Dress up in creepy costumes? Have you ever attended Mardi Gras? Share something spooky with us.

Bayou Writers Group presents 2013 Bridge To Publication

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Next month–Saturday, November 9, 2013–is our Bayou Writers’ Group annual conference called Bridge To Publication. It’s a small, cheap conference but we always have quality speakers.  Just look at this line-up.

 
DiAnn Mills – Keynote Speaker: award-winning writer of Christian fiction and writing coach to authors in any genre. First published in 1998, she currently has more than fifty books in print, which combined have sold more than a million and a half copies.  http://www.diannmills.com/

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jessica Kirland – Agent with Blythe Daniel Agency: She is acquiring and representing adult fiction, young adult fiction, and some non-fiction. She will be taking pitches. http://www.theblythedanielagency.com/jessica-kirckland-joins-as-marketing-literary-agent/
 

Jill Marr – Agent with Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency: Jill is interested in commercial fiction, with an emphasis on mysteries, thrillers and horror, women’s commercial fiction and historical fiction. She is also looking for nonfiction by authors who are getting their work published regularly in magazines and who have a realistic sense of the market and their audience. Jill is looking for nonfiction projects in the areas of self-help, inspirational, cookbooks, memoir (she especially loves travel and foodie memoirs), health & nutrition, pop culture, humor and music. She will be taking pitches. http://www.dijkstraagency.com/meet-the-agents.html

Stella Riley – Aquisitions Editor for Soul Mate Publishing – She will be taking pitches. http://www.bayouwritersgroup.blogspot.com/2013/07/more-conference-news.html

 
 
 
 
 
Glen Pitre and Michelle Benoit – Screenwriters. For more information: http://www.bayouwritersgroup.blogspot.com/2013/07/2013-conference-update.html
 


If you want to drive to Lake Charles, LA for this one-day event we’d love to have you. Go to our blog where you can download the registration form.  Did I say cheap? Just look at these prices!

 
FEES:

_________ $35 for BWG Members (Must be received by Nov. 1)
_________ $40 for Non-Members (Must be received by Nov. 1)
_________$50 At the Door on Nov. 9
_________$25 Students— with ID