I am really excited to welcome author Janet W. Ferguson today. Janet and I connected through Facebook and I think you’re really enjoy getting to know a little bit about her and her writing. Be sure to read on for a special giveaway, too!
Welcome Janet! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m excited to be here! Thank you for the invitation! I live down South in the great, and perhaps little-known, state of Mississippi with my husband and our sweet labra-labra-doodle (three parts black lab-one part poodle) Remi who sheds terribly, leaving little black tumbleweeds around the house on a daily basis. We have a couple of cats who despise each other. There is often the sound of hissing and yowling while Remi barks in an attempt to break up the cat fights. And one or more of them always wants to sit on or beside us, while another wants in or out the backdoor.
We also have a son and daughter in their early twenties who are beginning their adulting phases of life where we are needed occasionally—other times not so much.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
My favorite part is using my imagination, when the words flow and the characters begin talking. It’s literally a surprise sometimes what they will say or do. They make me laugh, they make me cry. So much fun! Of course, my husband thinks it’s all a little strange, me laughing or crying while writing. He’s an environmental engineer, enough said, right?
What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
Editing! Rewriting scenes, changing things in the story, in other words—EDITING, ha! I spent four years editing my first book, but I had a lot to learn about crafting fiction. I’ve published three more stories since then, so I can hope the edits will be a little easier next time…a little easier, please…
Oh, bless you. We do not share an affinity for editing. Ha! Can you tell us about newest book?
Blown Together is my latest release and my personal favorite. It’s the story of two people who are the king and queen of bad first dates. They’re thrown together along with a hairless cat named Mr. Darcy in coastal Alabama with a storm brewing in the Gulf. It’s a lot of fun when the wind starts blowing and the sparks start flying!
Cats and storms…that sounds wonderful to me! I can’t wait to read it. From where did the inspiration come for this book?
I have these nice friends, who started asking me to go with them on “girls’ beach therapy trips” to Fort Morgan a few years ago. Bless them forever for that kindness. This story grew in my imagination while on one of these trips. On the Fort Morgan, Alabama, beach, I stood watching a while a storm blew in. I pictured a lonely and quirky romance writer, the queen of bad dates, running back to her little beach cottage she shared with her hairless cat Mr. Darcy. Yes, my brain works a little bit differently than most.
The perfect hero instantly came to mind for her. Sam Conrad. He appears in all three of the first stories of the Southern Hearts Series. He’s a bit jaded and snarky and tends to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Imagine the fireworks when they’re thrown together. Maybe even Blown Together by the weather.
And that’s how it all started. Did I mention that I love the beach? It’s my happy place!
I love that, Janet! What was the last/current book you’ve read/are reading?
I’m reading three or four books besides what I critique for other authors. Convenient Lies by Robin Patchen, The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate, A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz, and Close to You by Kara Isaac. All great stories!! The trouble with writing is that I don’t have as much time to read for fun. I also have trouble turning off my author brain. I read much slower now, savoring nice phrases, noticing their craft.
I bet many authors, including myself, can relate to that. Who are some of your favorite writers?
Oh mercy, that’s way too hard to pin down. I’ll tell you what writers/books made me fall in love with Christian fiction many years ago: Francine Rivers (Mark of the Lion Series), Charles Martin (Wrapped in Rain), Lynn Austin (gods & kings series), and Randy Alcorn (Safely Home). These books moved me. They reminded me fiction can teach, and fiction can inspire. They reminded me that Jesus taught with stories and parables.
What’s one piece of advice you’d like to give to other writers?
Be teachable. There is a craft to writing. Study the craft, buy the writing books, read the writing blogs every day. Exchange stories with critique partners. Listen to your highly qualified fiction editor. Don’t put out a bad product.
Great advice, Janet. Things for us all to consider, no matter what stage of the process we’re at! Thanks for being my guest today!
Giveaway: Blown Away
Readers, Janet is graciously giving away a copy of Blown Away to one reader! To enter, simply leave a comment for her below.
Blown Together
Southern Hearts Series ~ Book 4
When love storms in…
Wealth manager Sam Conrad is accustomed to his domineering father ordering him around, especially at the bank where they both work. But when his father demands that Sam manage the inheritance of his bossy ex-fiancée, Sam has finally had enough. He leaves in search of a new life, and attorney Big Roy Bosarge from Mobile, Alabama agrees to mentor Sam on his quest for direction. Sam didn’t expect to be thrown together with Big Roy’s eccentric and opinionated daughter.
Storm damage forces lonely romance writer Elinor Bosarge and her hairless cat, Mr. Darcy, out of her Fort Morgan Beach cottage. She plans to take refuge in the boathouse on her parents’ estate, but finds the place already occupied by one of her father’s “projects.” She’s shocked her father would allow another young man onto the property after his last mentee robbed her family and broke her heart. And from the moment she meets Sam Conrad, they disagree about everything from her cat to how to best renovate a local nursing home.
Between her mother’s health issues and the hurricane brewing in the Gulf, Elinor feels like her life is being ripped apart. It doesn’t help that she’s falling for the man she’s determined not to trust. Sam finds himself drawn to Elinor, wanting to help her and this new family he’s grown to love. But can he overcome the barrier she’s built to keep him out? When the storm rages and the two of them are blown together, can Elinor find the faith to open her heart again?
About Janet W. Ferguson
Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space.
Follow Janet on…
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Her Website
Pinterest
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So fun to see you here, Janet! I love that you’re reading a whole pile of books all at once! I’ve got a few going right now, too. Thanks for this interview, Teresa!
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Hi Emily! Fun to see you here, too! Thanks for your help with this book and all my others with your great critiques!
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You’re welcome…it’s so fun to hear from other authors. And I agree, impressive that Janet has a whole pile she’s reading. I have a hard enough time keeping up with one some days. 🙂
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Thank you for being here with Teresa!! Your new book sounds fun & one I can relate to somewhat … I live in N. Alabama & love the beach! (Originally from FL.) Wishing you the best! Thanks, Teresa!
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Hi! So much fun to see someone from my neighboring state! If you love the beach, I think you’ll enjoy Blown Together!
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Good Luck with your new book.
Marilyn
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Thanks so much, Marilyn!! Blessings
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Thanks for reading along, today, Marilyn!
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Wishing you all the best with the new book.
Joan
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Joan should be the name up there
Joan
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Joan 🙂 Isn’t technology weird! LOL
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Thank You for the giveaway. Success to you with the book.
Marion
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Hi Marion! You’re welcome! I hope you like it 🙂 Blessings
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Wasn’t this a fun interview? Thanks for stopping by, Marion 🙂
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I can’t wait to read your book! I live near Pensacola and love reading books with a Gulf Coast setting.
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Hi Joann! Yes, you’re just right down the road! You’ll likely be very familiar with the setting! Great to meet you here! Blessings
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Joann, my grandparents lived in Pensacola…love the area! Thanks for reading today.
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Adding to my collection 💞
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Hi Katrina! I’m honored to be in your collection!! I’ve got quite a collection at my place, too!
Blessings 🙂
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Yay! Thanks for stopping by.
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Thank you for the interview. I would be blown away to win a copy of Blown Away. If I were a writer I think the ending would be hard knowing the conclusion is coming I would be sad. So that must be how series an sequels bloom.
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Hi Carla! You’re so funny! Good luck!! Yes, it was sad, but yes, I may come back to the characters some day. I had a few other stories that wanted writing, but those characters are pesky things. They’ll trouble you until you write them 🙂
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Carla, thanks so much for stopping by to visit with Janet!
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I have not read that one yet! The first two of the series are awesome. Enjoyed them very much. Ladies if you have not read them yet. It’s a enjoyable. And you just can’t put the book down.
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Hi Tammy! So great to see you here! I’m happy you liked the first 2 🙂 Blessings
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Great interview. A new author to me and I would really enjoy reading “Blown Together”.
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Thanks, Dianne! Great to meet you! I hope you like Blown Together 🙂 Good luck on the drawing.
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This is the only one of Janet’s books that I do not have. It will be fun to see how Sam handles falling in love. I have enjoyed seeing her “voice” emerge in inspirational fiction.
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Rebecca, You are so sweet! Thank you! I do think Blown Together is my best and my favorite. I never liked Sam until this book, and I fell in love with him!
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I really enjoyed your interview. I love the storyline for your book I want to check it out. Have a wonderful day!
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Hi Stacy! Thank you!! I guess I’m not too weird for you. Yay! I hope you like Blown Together 🙂 Hope you have a great day, too!
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Blown Together sounds like a very stormy story. I love that the characters do no t get along at first but somehow keep getting thrown together. It sounds like a delightful story.
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Thank you Rory Lynn, I love your name! Yes, Blown Together is a bit stormier than my other stories but in a funny way. 🙂 I hope you like it!
Blessings
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I love the beach and I love cats. And what a great name for a cat! Mr. Darcy is probably a purrfect companion, lol.
Would love to win the book.
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Connie, We sound like we’d get along great! I hope you enjoy Blown Together!
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Teresa, Thank you for having me here! It’s been fun 🙂
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