Living and Writing through Tough Issues-Free Novella
The reason I started writing my first novel was to debunk some of the shame associated with anxiety disorders and other mental diseases. The story developed from my experience with the onset of panic attacks in my mid-thirties. In writing that book, I found that I worked through some of my own faith questions. And then…sort of like that children’s story If You Give a Mouse a Cookie…one thing led to another, and I began other stories where I wrestled with emotionally painful issues that I or others I’d known had endured. Writing allowed me to voice my questions to God and learn through my characters’ struggles how to find and offer hope. My prayer is to follow where the Lord leads when I write. I don’t know how long the stories will come, but it’s been an amazing journey with Him and the friends (like y’all) that I’ve made along the way.
Here are a few of the emotional journeys I’ve been on with my characters:
Leaving Oxford: Living with an anxiety disorder. Making ethical decisions in one’s career.
Going Up South: Betrayal by a spouse and a parent. Sharing custody of a child.
Tackling the Fields: The emotional aftermath of date rape. The loss of identity and a dream.
Blown Together: I originally intended this book just to be fun, but ended up dealing with caring for the elderly or a parent. Also becoming one’s own man/person despite a controlling parent.
Magnolia Storms: The emotional aftermath of a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina. Where is God when our prayers don’t seem to be answered the way we’d hoped?
Falling for Grace: Divorce. The loss of an infant.
I’m currently editing on a novel dealing with addiction. I’m writing another novel dealing with the aftermath of child abuse and “church-hurt.”
If you’ve read any of my novels which are set in the Southern part of the U.S., you know that I try to interject humor into each of these stories where I can, despite the heavy topics, hence my tagline: Faith, Humor, Romance ~ Southern Style
My novella Falling for Grace is free right now, and I’d love to hear what you think about it! (You can also get Leaving Oxford free when you sign up for my newsletter, if you missed it in the past, here )
Let’s hear from you! What emotional or faith journeys would you like to read about?
Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/
Hi Janet, when people find out I read fiction (with the eye roll, disdainful- really?!) your books are some of the ones I raise as examples of fiction that deals with real life. Fiction isn’t always light fluff- and while I certainly read ‘light fluffy’ books, and I think that a lot of people are missing out because of misconceptions. So, thanks for writing and tackling these issues:)
Blessings:)
I concur with Wemble, “thanks for writing and tackling these issues “. So many people will read a novel and can learn from it that won’t read a non-fiction book on the same topic. It takes me forever to read a NF book but I can read a novel in a day! Yes, I do have self discipline issues! :-)
Janet, u have read all.of your books and have gained something from each one. I can only imagine the heartache you go through as you pour your love and tears into the telling of each one. I cannot wait for more from you!
Janet, I love your books! Keep up the great writing and tackling those issues! Hope 2019 is a great year for you!
Thank you, Wemble! When I was a librarian, I thought I wanted to read something realistic but with hope (and a few smiles). Ends up, I decided to write them :) Jesus taught with parables, so I think their is something to it! I appreciate you!
Thank you, Sherri! I’m the same way! I will read to the wee hours to find out what happens in a novel, and I love to learn something that applies to my life! I have some discipline issues at times, too, ha!
Hi Paula! You are so kind! I did have to dig deep into my own issues, especially in Leaving Oxford. Yikes! That was hard! I hope to have a new story this year!
Hugs
Thank you, Jackie! I really appreciate the encouragement! I hope you have a great year, too!
Blessings :)
Hi Janet! I concur with Wemble and Sherri G, thanks for writing and tackling contemporary issues, which make the stories relevant to the times and readers. As a reader, I also appreciate when authors interject humor to help make the heavy topics manageable. Life dishes out enough hardship. Enjoy your weekend. Best Wishes.
Hi Renate! I love humor! It’s how I get by in life! I hope you have a great weekend, too!
I have read Magnolia Storms and loved it.
How about the issue of an adult child not coping with life and making wrong decisions. Disappearing for years at a time, not being able to hold a job. A veteran. Thinks he is still a Christian but not walking with the Lord and not trusting God in the details. Yet everything seems to go wrong for him and it’s always someone else’s fault.
Hi Paula! Great ideas. And common issues. I touch on some similar things in my work in progress, but not quite the same. I’ll let you know when they are published.
Thank you for the kind words about Magnolia Storms!
These issues need to be talked about, and I’m glad you’re writing great books about them. I loved reading Blown Together!
I couldn’t agree more with everything said above! Thank you so much for touching the tough topics, I’m always looking for the stories centered on Christ, with the deep meaning and some humor ;)
Blessings in your writing!
Hi Natalya! Thank you so much! :)
Thank you, Alexa! That was my favorite one to write!