Writing, Reading & Ireland with Janet W. Ferguson

Welcome back, readers! I am thrilled to have Janet Ferguson with us this week. Her novella, Falling for Grace, was a finalist for the Christy Award last year, and she writes some moving, heart-felt southern fiction books. Her newest book, Star Rising, released earlier this month.

About the Author

Janet W. Ferguson is a Grace Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She 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. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.

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SW: Welcome, Janet. Can you share with us a little of what your writing journey has been?

JF: I had a story idea for about seven years, but never sat down to write it. In 2012, I lost both my parents and my mother-in-law within sixty days. It made me realize how fragile life is, so I sat down every night and wrote the story that would become Leaving Oxford. It released four years later in 2016. I had a lot to learn about writing fiction. I still do!

SW: I think we all have a lot to learn but reading books by other authors helps. What three books are at the top of your TBR pile?

JF: Oh wow! So many! I critique with Misty Beller, Sarah Monzon, Heidi Blakenship, and Jennifer Rodewald on a regular basis so I’m always engaged with their writing. I’m in a Christian fiction book club so I often read those books. But I did pick up Becoming Mrs. Lewis because of it being featured at the Christy’s and I’ve started it. I’m also wanting to read more from my Mississippi friends Pam Hillman and Patricia Bradley because we’ve started plotting stories together. Oh, and I love biblical fiction, so I recently started trying to read all of Mesu Andrews novels!

SW: I've read all of those authors and they are each wonderful. What does your writing space look like?

JF: Another hard question. I’m all over the map. From my bedroom to the living room to recently trying out coffee shops. No set thing, but I often sit on the bed with papers spread all over it and my laptop, ha!

  

SW: Who are your writing mentors and/or partners?

JF: Well, I guess I listed those earlier :)

SW: Just for fun (and you can include unpublished works here), which of your male characters would plan the best first date? Which of your heroines would you like to hang out with for a weekend?

JF: Good questions! I’d have to go with Jess McCoy from Leaving Oxford and Josh Bergeron from Magnolia Storms for the heroes. They are both strong but caring and trying to do the right thing and handsome!—also maybe a little less baggage than some of my other heroes, ha! I think Cassie from Going Up South would be a great influence on me. She’s so mature and organized. Rivers from The Art of Rivers would be fascinating because she’s so artsy and creative.

SW: Star Rising starts in St. Simons, GA but a large portion of it takes place in Ireland. As you have visited the country before, tell us what some of the highlights for you were (and whether or not they were included in this book).

JF: I loved looking out at the Blasket Islands. They’re sort round and weird looking. The towns were so quaint and old. I love castles and ruins that just give me the feeling of oozing in history. In Dublin, the Chester Beatty Library held all these ancient scrolls. As a former librarian, I love books of all forms!

SW: How can we pray for you?

JF: Thank you for offering! I would ask that I only write what God wants—for my eyes, ears, heart, and spirit to be open to the Lord. I want to be teachable. For my next story, I’m still trying to listen and absorb what I need to learn and how it folds into a fictional story. I always learn so much when I study His Word and listen. The novels often surprise me when I do that, and I find that I need the spiritual lesson more than anyone!

Thank you for taking some time with us this week, Janet! We're praying for blessings in your life and writing.

About Star Rising

Star Youngblood has always been a fighter–a necessity after her mother married a monster of a man. Now, she’s finally on the path to the stable life she’s always wanted. Her employer, Priscilla Kelly, is a sweet woman ravaged by rheumatoid arthritis, and Star will do anything to help her. Even if that means going toe to toe with Mrs. Kelly’s neglectful son.

After being betrayed on the mission field and devastated by the tragic death of his father, Paul Kelly gave up on God. He lives life on his own terms, biding his time as a corporate pilot until he can save enough money to begin his own flight school closer to home. His mother is all he has left, and he wants to be near her. He just didn’t expect her health to decline so quickly. When he discovers his mother has taken in a stray—a woman he’s not at all sure can be trusted—his protective instincts kick into high gear. Paul’s handled a lot of turbulence, but he’s never gone up against a force like Star.

As Paul and Star strive to protect his mother in their own ways, they soon find their hearts are at the greatest risk.

Purchase: Amazon | Goodreads