Jeannine: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk with you, Bev. I understand you wear many hats in the writing business. Would you please describe a bit about what you do?
Bev:First and foremost, I'm a writer. My specialty is non-fiction, but I also hope to write more fiction as well. I began freelancing full-time in May 1997 and turned my attention to writing books over the past couple of years. In addition, I publish a monthly e-zine for writers, Scribe & Quill .
Jeannine: Of all your jobs of writer, editor, publisher, which gives you the most pleasure?
Bev:Hands-down, it would have to be writing. If I had one choice and was told I couldn't go back to anything else, it would be writing. The creative aspect has much too strong of a pull on me. I enjoy writing the most and hadn't really planned on getting involved in the other aspects of the business (editing and publishing), but somehow they found me.
Jeannine:I understand you will have your first fiction book published by Whiskey Creek Publishing. Please, tell us a little about this book.
Bev:Sure! Mending Fences is a contemporary romance with a western flavor featuring a widowed mom, Jennifer Marless, and a sexy ranch manager, Jace Thompson. Through a stroke of luck, Jennifer wins a ranch in Spayde, Oklahoma. She plans to fix it up and sell it, but her plans don't quite work out when Jace enters the picture. There's more to the story…but I don't want to give away any surprises!
I wrote Mending Fences several years ago and ended up setting it on the shelf due to other pressing matters. I liked the story and so I pulled it out about six months ago and began going over it again and editing/revising it. Finally I got up enough courage to submit it. Whiskey Creek Press accepted the manuscript and the book will be published in September 2006.
Jeannine:Did you find publishing your fiction a different experience from the non-fiction that you write? If so, in what way?
Bev:Oh definitely! I'm much more confident about my non-fiction because I've had more practice with it. When it comes to fiction, it's sort of like skydiving without a parachute - you just never know where you'll end up and if you'll make it out of the fall okay. With my non-fiction work, I have guideposts I set for myself and I deal with facts as the basis of the work. With fiction, of course you have to be accurate and also research certain elements…but when it comes to the writing of fiction itself, there is much more room for error because it's all coming from your head and your imagination as far as your characters, plot and everything. It's a bit scary! So yes, publishing fiction scares me a lot more than non-fiction. Writing fiction is newer to me and I'm often intimidated by other fiction works I've read.
Jeannine:Do you use your true name or do you use pseudo name(s)? Give me your reasons for doing so.
Bev: For non-fiction, I use my legal name. For fiction, I've elected to use a pen name, Star Ferris. However, the twist is that I was adopted at six days old and my birth mother actually planned to name me Starlette Dawn Ferris. However, my adopted name (and the one on my birth certificate) is Beverly Renay Walton. In 1999, I found my birth mother and got to know her - as well as my two birth brothers. When I considered that my non-fiction and fiction work were so different in nature, I decided originally to use another pen name, Alexandra Chase, because I liked the feel of that name. Then I thought it would be nice to give a nod to my birth mother by using the name she originally wanted me to have. In fact, my birth mother calls me Star instead of Bev to this day. I may still use the other pen name, but I have selected Star Ferris as the pen name for my first published fiction book in honor of my birth mother. So I guess you could say they are actually both my 'real' names!
Jeannine:What a wonderful story and reason! You could make that into a book someday Bev.What do you enjoy most about writing?
Bev:The creative process is a joy to behold, but I also enjoy being able to touch readers in some way - whether that's sharing information with them or entertaining them. The finest reward for me, as a writer, is when a reader writes me a note and tells me he or she was moved by my words in some way, however small that might be. To know you have connected with another human being through the written word is a beautiful feeling.
Jeannine:Do you attack fiction the same as non-fiction?
Bev:In some ways, yes. I have a general idea in my head of how I want the beginning, middle and end to manifest, but when it comes to fiction, sometimes characters do things you hadn't expected and you have to allow for instances such as that to happen. I don't do extensive outlines or huge bulletin boards of index cards and stuff like that; instead, I have a basic idea of how I want the piece to feel and then I fill in the blanks from there, so to speak. One thing I do is "write" the piece in my head before it goes on paper or in the computer. I'll stay awake in bed at night writing in my head and then, the next day or so, it emerges in tangible form.
Jeannine:Just for relaxation, what type of books do you enjoy?
Bev:By and large, I read non-fiction books 99% of the time. I like learning information about people, places and things. It's a great way to play the "what if?" game and come up with interesting story or article ideas as well. When it comes to fiction, I enjoy horror, romance and fantasy - and if they're combined, it's that much better! Right now I am savoring the latest Neil Gaiman book, Anansi Boys. As for romance, I adore any story that uses humor (think Jennifer Crusie) or paranormal elements (Sherrilyn Kenyon.)
Jeannine: Do you find yourself ever trying to re-write the story you're reading as you read?
Bev:Yes…and this is one reason why I read non-fiction more often than fiction. A long time ago, that balance was flip-flopped and I read more fiction than non-fiction. Since I went back to college (I am working on two degrees in applied communications and philosophy), I now find I analyze fiction so much when I'm reading it that it takes all the fun away. Same thing for movies - I just can't sit through a film anymore without wondering how the script was written and such. One of these days, perhaps, I'll be able to read for enjoyment again instead of picking stories apart!
Jeannine: I understand you live in Colorado. I'm from New Mexico. Do you use the area where you live as a background, or do you try to go far afield? Do the mountains and prairies of the West inspire you, or do you believe it has no effect?
Bev:Oh, living here in the Rocky Mountains can't help but have an effect on you! I have yet to use Colorado as a backdrop for my work yet, but I will tell you it's been brewing in the back of my mind. I'm not quite sure how it'll present itself, but one of the things I do is keep images/ideas in my mind - brewing - for a long while. Then one day, generally without notice, they pop out onto the page without any prior notice. I also "write" in my mind before anything ever gets onto paper. I literally "see" words on the page and "see" the opening paragraphs and such before it ever materializes on the computer screen.
I'm originally from the east coast, but that is not my home; the Rocky Mountains are my home and my soul belongs here. Every day serves as an inspiration and it's the perfect place for a writer. I can see Pikes Peak outside my window and you can't help but be inspired by that view! As for New Mexico, I've been there a few times and I feel drawn to that area as well!
Jeannine:You have written about tapping your full potential. Can you briefly explain how one does this?
Bev:There's more than one step, but I believe the most important preparation for any writer to tap his or her full potential is to believe in oneself. Second, you must pay attention to all aspects of yourself as a writer. That means giving equal time to your creative side, your editorial side, your marketing side and your intuitive side. For instance, in order to sell a book, you must first WRITE a book. Then you must REVISE your book to give it the best chance of selling. Further, you must then MARKET/PROMOTE your product (books, articles) in order to let potential audiences know about your work. Finally, it's essential that you take care of yourself and LISTEN to the signals being sent by your physical/mental/emotional spiritual parts of yourself. When you reach that synchronicity, you'll know it. You'll FEEL it. When you're in that Zone, that's when you have the best chance for success on a variety of levels.
Jeannine:Bev, it sounds like you've put a lot of thought and effort into coming up with a wonderful plan, a plan that most of us authors can incorporate into our lives...If there were any time in history you could visit, what time and place would you pick?
Bev:I'd love to have lived in the time of William Wallace (Braveheart) in Scotland. In 2001, I had the fortune of visiting Scotland and fell in love with the country and the people there. I have Scottish heritage on both my birth mother and father's sides and the country resonated with my soul on a deep level. At one point, near Glencoe, I remember feeling like I'd been there before and although I'd heard of people saying things like that before in stories I'd read, it was the first time I'd ever felt it for myself. When I knew I had to leave, there was a deep sadness in my heart - a hollow feeling. So yes…my choice would be to live in the Highlands of Scotland in the 13th century or thereabouts.
Jeannine: Any particular person living or dead you’d like to talk to?
Bev:Wow - that could be a long list if I thought about it for a long time! One living person I'd love to talk to would be my favorite fiction author, Stephen King. He is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a writer. He's a regular guy who happened to become a best-selling author. He doesn't put on airs and he's just himself. Some may call him a hack, but I don't care. He has been a mentor to me even though he doesn’t know me from Adam. So if there was one person I'd love to meet, living or dead, I'd choose SK as first choice. Below that would be Michael Crichton and Neil Gaiman. Fortunately, I got to meet Neil in person the end of September, so that was a thrill!
Jeannine: We all have favorite authors. I know I try to buy any book I find by Nora Lofts and Anya Seton. Do you have one or two favorites you'd like to tell us about and why you chose them?
Bev:Hmmm…by my answer above, you can tell I love to read any books by Stephen King I can get my hands on. I love his writing because he does such an outstanding job with dialogue. When his characters talk, it's like they're real people having genuine conversations. His characters "think" like real people and I like that.
Since I've mentioned Neil Gaiman already, I might as well say another author I love to read is Terry Pratchett. His work is so clever and funny and I just adore his writing. Needless to say, reading a book by both Neil and Terry is what I call absolute heaven. They need to do tons more books together!
In addition, I love Janet Evanovich's work, as well as Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing. A long-time friend of mine, Rebecca Forster, also ranks high on my list of "must read authors."
Jeannine: I know a lot of people would like to know how you schedule your time to handle all the jobs you perform.
Bev:First of all, I do the best I can, but I don't always succeed in accomplishing everything I'd like to complete. I am a widow with two teenagers and am back in college and working toward two degrees as well as (eventually) a Masters in Communication. Therefore, I have to work around classes and parenting. Most of my work is done late at night after everyone else is in bed. I also schedule my classes so I have a couple of days off a week. The best answer is this: I do the best I can with the time I have. Sometimes I reach the goals I've set and other times I don't. The main thing is to do what you can with the time you have - as long as you get something done, you're moving forward. And remember to set time aside for yourself as well, because we all need down time. This is a lesson I'm still trying to learn…but I'm getting better!
Jeannine: I can relate to what you said. For years, I had to block out my son's rock band practicing while I wrote or studied, and taking time for yourself as you said is so important...Of the four seasons, which is your favorite and why?
Bev:Autumn is my favorite season. I love the turning of the leaves, the smell in the air and the cooler weather. Also, Halloween has always been my favorite celebratory time of year (as a lover of vampires, witches and ghosts it should come as no surprise!) Each year I have a ritual I engage in that is a bit silly but I love it: I get together a collection or horror/suspense movies and I watch them for a couple of nights near Halloween. Also, the idea of dressing up and being another person and/or creature for one night is appealing to me. It's the one night you can be childish and play pretend without people giving you strange looks!
Jeannine:Bev, I can see where Stephen King would be one of your favorite authors. (LOL).I love the colors of autumn, too...Is there any one particular thing you'd like people to know about you?
Bev:Yes. I am forever grateful for the multitude of writing colleagues and friends I've made over the years. The writing community is my family and I respect and support all the members of that family. Although there might be one name listed as the author on any of my books, the truth is it is the knowledge and wisdom I've gained over the years from the writing community that helped me to get to the point where my first book was contracted and I was signed by an agent. I want people to know I am grateful for the support I've received - without it, I would have never gotten published. You all helped my dream come true and I'd like to express my appreciation to everyone who offered me advice along the way.
Jeannine:Do you have a website or sites where people can learn even more about you?
Bev:Sure! I have two of them. One is my author Web site and the other is for my upcoming book from Writer's Digest Books, Sun Signs for Writers.
There is another site I'll be setting up for my fiction books under http://www.starferris.com as well.
Thanks so much for this interview!
~ Bev
Jeannine:I'd like to thank you, too, Bev, for your candid answers. I've enjoyed chatting with you and getting to know you. I look forward to reading Sun Signs for Writers and Mending Fences.
--Interview conducted by Jeannine D. Van Eperen, author of Memory and Desire, According to the Rules, Children of St. Yves-Wings ePress; Trail to Bliss, Golden-Rod-AweStruck; Hearts in ¾ Time and Love and All That Jazz, Port Town Publishing Company; former Blether Book Reviewer.
