Jessica Ferguson

Author, Writing Coach, Speaker

Let’s Camp NaNoWrMo Together!

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Hey gang! Just popping in to let you all know I’m still alive. So far, my summer has been busy. I’ve revised my novella that’ll be a part of The Bucket List Dare Collection. I have to go through two more critiques/revisions before it’s truly ready but release date is in October.

I’ve finished my short story in the Legacy Letters project with some of my Oklahoma friends. It will release in September.

For both of these I have to come up with short blurbs or one-liners. Always challenging for me.

mother dayIn July, I’m going to a quilt show with my daughter who has developed an interest in quilting. Here’s a pic of the lap quilt she’s making for me. The backing is script. I can’t wait to get my hands on it. 🙂

On July 1st I’m going to camp. Yep, going to the same camp I attended last year with a group of mystery writers-Camp NaNoWrMo. I decided to go alone thisCamp year but looking around this huge cabin in the woods today… I got spooked! It’s way too big for one person. I don’t think I can stay there by myself.

Anyone interested in joining me? All you have to do is go to the camp site and create a profile, then send me your user name so I can invite you in. We’ll write and encourage each other. Share some secrets and eat S’mores! (I wish!)

If you aren’t familiar with Camp NaNoWrMo. It’s like the November NaNoWrMo but during July you can write anything. Just set your goal for the month (a project or a daily word count or editing) and do your thing. Unless I change my mind before July 1st, I’ll be tackling a nonfiction project.

Anyone game? Let me hear from you! I’d love for you to join me. Hope you’re having a great summer.

A to Z Reflections

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A-to-Z Reflection [2016]I missed the deadline for the A to Z Reflections but I’ll reflect anyway.

For me, the A to Z Challenge this year was better than ever. More challenging in some ways. More fun in others. I blogged about my passions: writing, coaching, and inspiring others.

I didn’t plan—I never do. And I still wrote each post the night before—sometimes as late as 10:00 pm. I’m a slow thinker, fairly uncertain until I actually start writing, so each April I purposely work under pressure, trying to teach myself to think and write fast, the way old time reporters did back in the day. One of my favorite movies is Teacher’s Pet with Clark Gable and Doris Day. Check it out. And remember Lou Grant?

I did one thing different this year. I shared on FB and Twitter. Mine and other people’s posts. Amazing how that adds another level of excitement to the challenge. And adds FB friends and followers.

In addition to daily blogging the challenge I was also writing a 20,000 word novella that will come out in a collection with three other writers, and coaching a writer who was trying to finish her novel. I’d love for you to read her story: Why It Took Seven Years To Write This Novel. I’m thrilled to say she accomplished her goal. Not only did she finish her book, but she submitted to Amazon’s Kindle Scout program and was accepted. For the past three days she’s danced around in Hot and Trendy and for an hour or two was #1. That alone tells you I had an exceptional client to coach: very capable, talented, and focused. Her writing is excellent.

My adrenalin surged during the month of April. Those three activities—writing, coaching and blogging—kept me organized and focused. I think that’s what we need to remember; we have to remember. The key to success is focus. Everyone who completes the A to Z Challenge each year knows and understands all about focus. We have to keep our eyes on our goal.

Now that A to Z has ended, I’ll concentrate on spreading the word about my client’s book. I can’t help but feel her success is mine too. 🙂 I invite you to read the the wrong first few chapters of  The Wrong by Heather K. Duff . If you enjoy it, consider nominating her for the Kindle Scout contract. You’ll get her novel free if she wins. If she doesn’t, it will have been a wonderful learning experience just to watch how things play out, one you might want to try yourself. Heather hopes to post about her experience too, so consider signing up to follow her blog.

All of you who popped in to read my posts during A to Z and left comments made me feel valued. I loved talking writing with you and reading your own posts too. I appreciate every comment and the dialogue we shared. I wish we could get together for coffee and chat in person. There’s nothing I like better than a three-hour coffee. Maybe someday. 🙂

In the meantime, what do you have planned for the summer? Where will your focus be? On a novel, novella or a book of poetry? Or maybe you’re taking the summer off to play with your kids?  Whatever your plans, be safe and have fun. Enjoy your focus.

K is for Keys

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KIf you’re just finding me among the hundreds and hundreds of A to Z bloggers, I’m thrilled. I’m sharing about writing, coaching and inspiring others.

I’m tempted to blog about Kritiques, but I guess I should keep it real. 🙂 Today I’ll give you keys to writing and publishing; my tips that will benefit you for as long as you’re a writer.

Read. Don’t read just anything—read the best of the best. I could give you a list of books, but my opinion of “the best” might differ from yours. Just remember, the saying garbage in-garbage-out is true.

Write. Every day. Some people argue that writing daily isn’t necessary. I believe the more you write, the better writer you become. And yes, I believe in forcing yourself to write. We force ourselves to wash dishes and clothes and toilets (or am I the only one?) so why wouldn’t we force ourselves to do something we truly love?

Write long. Tell your story then cut it short. You’ll be surprised how many unnecessary words you’ve used. Make every word count.

Write short. I believe writing fillers, letters to the editor, very short pieces teach us to write tight. I’ve heard writers say they can’t create anything in a 100 words. Like my mama always said, “Can’t never could do a thing!” If you can’t create in 100 words how will you ever write your book blurbs?

Submit. Find a couple of markets to conquer: Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Sun, Women’s World. There are many opportunities within those three markets.

Join a local writers’ group. If there’s not one in your town, start one. You might belong to thirty online groups, and that’s great, but there’s nothing like gabbing with other writers at your favorite coffee shop.

Call yourself a writer. Tell people you meet for the first time that you’re a writer. Yes, it’s hard because they always ask what you’ve published and you may not have published anything. That doesn’t matter. Tell them you’re working on short stories, a novel, a screenplay and hope to submit soon. The more you say you’re a writer—out loud—the more you’ll believe it.

Recognize opportunities. When you talk about writing and call yourself a writer, opportunities will come your way–from local magazines and newspapers, the Chamber of Commerce, or from church or club newsletters. Don’t ever pass up an opportunity that falls in your lap.

Learn. How-to books, trade magazines, online classes and writing blogs are at your fingertips. Take advantage of them. You may become a New York Best Selling author, but that doesn’t mean you know everything. You never will. Never. Educate yourself about markets, the business of writing, agents and publishers, traditional and indie publishing. Don’t depend on anyone to do your research for you. Your career is your responsibility.

Don’t ever, ever quit learning.

H is for Heart

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HThe Merriam-Webster online dictionary says that the heart is the organ in your chest that pumps blood through your veins and arteries. It’s in the front part of your chest and it’s thought of as the place where emotions are felt.

I like that simplified definition.

Like everything else I see, hear, touch, smell and taste … I apply “heart” to my writing and the books I read. Heart is what makes our books live.

Do my stories have heart? Do they make readers laugh, cry … feel anything at all?

I’ve watched my daughter, an avid reader, sob through most of Karen Kingsbury’s books. If you’re familiar with KK you know she’s one of the top Christian authors of our time, and writes heart-rending fiction. I’m sure all her readers sob.

But how about this: Daughter also cried uncontrollably when she read Dean and Me: A Love Story by Jerry Lewis. That book is nonfiction about the 10 year partnership of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Figure out those tears!

She read (and cried) in The Paris Wife about Hemingway and Hadley, his first wife.

Now before you accuse Daughter of being highly emotional and able to cry at the drop of a hat, no. That’s not her.

However, I do know why she cried. Those books have heart.

That should be our goal. To conjure up such emotion in our readers that they laugh or cry beyond their control.

How do we do it?

First, we use the senses, we know our characters inside and out, we use active verbs and words that paint pictures, but until we’re capable of putting ourselves in a character’s POV and walk in their shoes—suffer with them, cry with them, feel their pain and loss, we won’t be able to pull it off.

We must also consider pacing.

A reader has to develop a relationship with our characters. If our pace is too fast, the reader doesn’t sufficiently bond with our characters. If our pace is too slow, our readers get bored.

Tricky, isn’t it.

I’ve read books where good characters die and I didn’t shed a tear. The last time I cried guise-of-another-225while reading a book was in The Guise of Another by Allen Eskens. Guise is about two brothers, both detectives, and one of them is on a downward spiral. The relationship I developed with these two brothers surprised me. I think Eskens broke a lot of rules when it came to creating this story—but he knew what he was doing and he pulled it off. His characters are still with me–in my head and in my heart–even though I read his books last year. 

The next book you read, study it for heart. Pay attention to the emotion you feel while reading it.

But honestly, I wonder if we can teach writers how to write “heart” into their stories. Doesn’t it have to come from within us? Maybe we have to pour our own love, sadness, brokeness, and fear into our characters before their stories truly touch a reader’s life. What do you think?

E is for Encouragement

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EInsecureWritersSupportGroup

Since this is the 5th day of our A to Z Challenge and IWSG Day, I hope it’s okay that my blog post serves two purposes: It does have to do with Encouragement which is the premise behind IWSG. So here we go …

Back in 2008 I submitted a couple of devotionals to an anthology called Daily Devotions for Writers. I thought I’d reprint one here because there’s a lesson to be learned from the experience I wrote about. If any of you have the book, the devo is on page 177.

***

“My assignment was to interview women in Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization that helps develop public speaking and leadership skills. I’d pitched the idea to my editor with an ulterior motive. I wanted to learn for myself what Toastmasters was all about—with no commitment to stand up and speak.

While I talked with several ladies in the club, the president listened. Finally, he spoke. “Would you be interested in helping me start a commercial writer’s program through the continuing education department at my college?”

I immediately lapsed into I’m-not-smart-enough-I-know-nothing-you-can find-someone-better-than-me mode. The expression that crossed his face sickened me. Because I had such little confidence in myself, his opinion of me changed in a split second.

While writing the article, I read and reread how Toastmasters helped each woman gain confidence, and how that confidence had spilled over into her personal and professional life. I visited another meeting to take copies of the published article. When the club president asked me again to help create a commercial writing program at his college, I accepted with confidence.”

Dear Lord, thank you for being a God of second chances. Help me remember that you are my courage.

***

Okay, how many of you have turned down a writing assignment (or anything) because you didn’t think you could do the job? daily devos for writers

Don’t!

You can do anything you set your mind to—though I don’t recommend surgery if you aren’t a doctor. Seriously, we have so many learning tools at our fingertips—just Google or go to YouTube. Ask friends in your writing groups. If you don’t know how to interview, then watch some podcasts or C-Span. Can’t write an article? Read and dissect some. There are also online writing classes–some of them FREE.  There’s always a way to learn…how to paint, how to knit, how to speak.

(A few weeks ago I watched a Youtube video on spray paint art. Fascinating, and who knows how I’ll use this new found knowledge!)

I encourage you to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. That’s how you learn, and it pays off in the long run. I started the writing program with the college: it consisted of nothing more than determining what I thought new writers would like to learn, finding other writers with the expertise to teach it and scheduling. I met some fine writers, had a lot of fun and taught my first online classes. I learned a lot too, but, if I had stuck with my pitiful I-can’t- attitude— I might still be an insecure whiney Jessy today.

So, tell me, are you going to do it? Take a step of faith and say YES to all those opportunities that come your way? I want to hear about it! And if I can help… holler at me!

B is for Backlog

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BB is for Backlog because I’m wondering if you have a backlog of stories, poems, and novels that you’ve given up on. Are they hidden in a drawer or file cabinet, unfinished?

I have many. I think of them often and vow I’ll get back to them. Chances are I won’t because I get fresh ideas that I do start and finish.

I have so many rough drafts, it’s almost ridiculous: first drafts, fifth drafts. One manuscript has been taken apart so many times, chunks are missing. The reason these books are still drafts is because I didn’t plan. I plunged head first into NANOWRMO or some other exciting “Write Fast” activity and I neglected to give sufficient thought to my characters, their GMC or my beloved 3-Act structure.

Yes, I know there are successful seat of the pants writers out there. I’m not one of them, unless you count eleven rough drafts a success. I definitely know how to finish a book–it’s the grunt work of a SOTP manuscript that I don’t particularly enjoy–the  rewriting of a book that’s got too many holes.

And that’s where planning comes in. The more you plan, the easier the rewrite.

The late Stephen Cannell planned extensively. He stated that sometimes he wrote 60 page treatments of his novels, then he’d never look at those pages again.  He knew his characters and story so well, he didn’t have to refer to his treatment.

I especially like his outlook on unfinished manuscripts.

Cannell said, “You get nothing from an unfinished project, and you learn nothing.” At some point he made a deal with himself that he would never abandon another project; he’d write to the end. That’s when he started on his road to success.

So what are we going to do about our backlog of poems, stories and novels? Any ideas?

A is for Anthology

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AIt’s time for the A to Z Challenge created by the fabulous Arlee Bird in 2010.  I look forward to it every year, but this year it will be a real challenge. I watched the days slipping away—the big theme reveal came and went. My mind was elsewhere. So, bear with me as I write and post off the top of my head about subjects dear to my heart: writing, coaching, and inspiring others.

Let’s talk about anthologies, a published collection of writings by different authors.

Today I was sitting with another writer in a restaurant when she told me she couldn’t figure out anthologies. She doesn’t like them because they’re like a desperate act to get published. Well, she didn’t exactly call them a desperate act but that’s what she meant. I didn’t take offense because my novella anthology won’t be out for several more months, and that’s what she was talking about–novellas–not poetry anthologies or short stories, or Chicken Soup for the Soul. She wonders why an author wouldn’t publish her novella herself instead of grouping it with others. Good question.

I’ve never thought about it, but my friend is the second person to “dis” anthologies to me during the past month, and though I disagree with her, I didn’t change her mind—which makes me wonder how others feel.

Do you buy or read novella anthologies?

Do you read all the stories included?

Do you submit to anthologies?

Years ago a well-known publishing company published novella anthologies with three experienced authors and a newbie. It was a good opportunity for the new writer. Today, many authors pull together a team of friends to publish together using a specific theme or idea. I’m not sure their reason–it’s just fun.

I always encourage new writers—those who are unpublished or with few credits–to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul, or other anthologies I learn about. To me, a byline (any publishing credit) is a precious thing.

Tell me how you feel about anthologies.

A Lesson in Taxes

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Today is InsecureWritersSupportGroupIWSG Day.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.  You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

I’m so “out of the habit” of blogging that it sure seems to come around fast. I put way too many other things first. Today, I worked on my taxes: listed my professional dues, my expenses and then my income. What an eye-opener.

When my income doesn’t (at least) equal my professional dues, I think there’s a problem. And my expenses doubled in 2015. Why? Because I went crazy-wild purchasing how-to books, taking courses and joining groups that promised to mentor and encourage me. I attended a couple of conferences too; I’d be a groupie for about two cents. Seriously, I have “groupie” in my blood.

While listing my expenses, I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite creative writing teachers, Chuck Taylor, founder of Slough Press and a professor at Texas A&M University. I knew Chuck many years ago and once we had poems published in the same literary journal, Cedar Rock. Anyway, Dr. Charles B. “Chuck” Taylor told me, when I wanted to sign up for yet another one of his classes that I needed to quit taking classes and write. I think I’ve told you that before but it’s worthy of repeating. That’s good advice for all of us.

Well, Chuck … obviously I didn’t listen to you!

Doing my taxes made me analyze my problem and there’s only one answer to what it is. No, it’s not laziness. It’s FEAR. I need those classes and how-to books because … What if I can’t write? Well, deep down, I know I can but what if I can’t write well enough?

There’s the rub. What’s well enough?

With publishing the way it is–open to everyone now–writing is so subjective. But isn’t that a good thing? Yes, it is, and I recognize I can write better than some and not as well as others, but I don’t want to look like an idiot!

The lesson I learned while looking at my pages of expenses is that I have more confidence in writing for FREE—that way, if you don’t like it, think it’s crummy, you really won’t feel cheated since you didn’t have to pay.

Stupid, huh? I have two published books, written for magazines and newspapers for about 40 years, judged writing contests, owned a literary magazine, mentored and coached others and here I am acting like a baby. I really think it’s all those “angry voices” out there scaring me. Maybe I just need therapy!

Last year, I told hubby I wasn’t going to darken the doors of our CPA friend until I wasn’t embarrassed to face him. Sorry, Doug, won’t be seeing you this year!

I’m making a promise to myself: this is my last year to write for FREE. (Have to fulfill obligations.) I know we all like that word, who doesn’t enjoy FREE things, but if we don’t value ourselves and our talents, who’s gonna? Right? Nothing really puts me in my place like figuring my taxes.

Do you ever doubt you’re good enough, listen to the voice of defeat ringing in your ears? Or do you just forge ahead whistling your happy tune? Share with us!

IWSG DAY: Filling the Attic

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InsecureWritersSupportGroupToday is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in December.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.  In the words of Captain Alex, the purpose of the IWSG 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!’ You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.

Today’s post is about something Hubby told me as we were driving down the highway. He’s always got tales from his childhood, but I’d never heard this one and found it interesting. He said when he was twelve years old, he was on the school bus headed for home and reading a Sherlock Holmes mystery—A Study in Scarlet. The best he remembered it, Holmes had said he didn’t read fiction because he would be filling his head with useless info. I found Hubby’s memory as well as that statement fascinating, so we searched for the quote. Hubby didn’t have it exactly right but close.

In Chapter 2 of A Study in Scarlet, Dr. Watson is exasperated with Holmes.

Watson thinks: His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge. Of modern literature, philosophy, and politics, he appeared to know next to nothing. Upon my quoting Thomas Carlyle, he asked who he was and what he had done.

Further down the page, Holmes explains:

“A man’s brain is like an empty attic. You have to put in whatever furniture you choose. A fool takes in everything he comes across, so that there is no room for anything useful to find a place, or else the useful information gets so jumbled up with everything else that he had difficulty laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful as to what he takes into his brain-attic.Jimmy_croppedArthurConanDoyle_AStudyInScarlet

…It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”

Hubby said at that point he closed the book and quit reading. I suppose at age twelve, he either took Holmes’ words to heart or considered the book useless information. I have no doubt he’s been strategically placing selective furniture in his brain-attic ever since.

As you probably know, A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle was the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I find it interesting that a twelve year old kid would be influenced—challenged—maybe insulted—by the above passage written in 1886.

Do you wonder/worry about political correctness? Or that your characters, an idea or specific scene might affect your readers in a negative way? Can you think of a book that made you tear your hair, throw it across the room, or view the author suspiciously?

Please share!

IWSG DAY: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

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Today is IWSG Day because it’s the first Wednesday in August.  IWSG stands for Insecure Writers Support Group and was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh.  You can follow other IWSG members here or on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG. We also have a Facebook page.  The purpose of IWSG is to share and encourage, so today I plan to encourage.

I want you to take a look at what you’ve accomplished since our last IWSG day. Maybe you should jot a few notes to organize your thoughts. Accomplished a lot? Great! But what about all of you who have done nothing because of vacations, kids being home, sickness or surgeries? Don’t feel bad. Life gets in the way sometimes, but honestly, we shouldn’t let life get in the way ALL the time.

Ask yourself this question:

What do you truly want to achieve with your writing? Be realistic when you answer. Being a best selling writer is a realistic goal for someone who writes daily, wins contests and is actively studying and learning, but being published by one of the top five might not be  realistic for someone who only writes a few times every few months, never enters or wins a contest and doesn’t revise according to critiques or feedback. We always need to learn and grow.

I’d like to suggest a writing/learning plan for those of you who aren’t accomplishing anything.

Settle on one goal. You might want to finish your novel. When you reach the end, go through it again, do a little tweaking, then find beta readers or someone willing to critique. You can revise according to those comments you get from your readers. Oh, wait… you don’t agree with any thing they said? Then Houston, we might have a problem. Put your pages away for a few weeks or even better, a few months while you delve into a really good how-to book. When you go back to your critiques, I’m certain you’ll view them differently.

Or, your goal might be to write a few short pieces and get them out there. That’s great: Identify your markets–print magazines or online literary journals. Study them by reading several months of back issues, including their guidelines. Then write. Find someone to read and give you a critique. Believe me when I say feedback is helpful. Revise accordingly.

I know I’ve said this to you a thousand times: making up our mind to do something is half the battle. We can be our own worst enemy or we can be our hero. We just need to decide on what we want to accomplish and let nothing or no one stand in our way as we plod toward our dream.

Here’s an interesting quote from Natalie Goldberg. Take it to heart.

This is your life. You are responsible for it.
You will not live forever. Don’t wait.

~ Natalie Goldberg

On another note, I’m speaking at the Texas Gulf Coast Mini-Conference on Saturday. Here’s the link if you’d like to check it out: http://www.texasgulfcoastwriters.blogspot.com/

Also, my novella, The Last Daughter, is only 99 cents. If you haven’t read it, I’d love for you to grab a copy and then leave an honest review.

Good Writing!