Talkshow Thursday: Meet Karen Ferguson

Talkshow Thursday: 

Meet Karen Ferguson

I'm pleased to welcome author Karen Ferguson to my blog for the first time. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and get to know her.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Since I was in elementary school, pouring over my older sister’s daytime drama manuscript. Every day, I would eagerly run home from school to read the newest pages added to her 100+ page volume. It’s one of the things that helped develop a love for reading within me, and ultimately a desire to write. That desire stayed with me into adulthood, although I didn’t do much with it until later in life.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

Four books so far. My first was a self-published devotional. I consider that one my “test drive” into publishing. I recently celebrated the third book release in the 7-part Questions for Kids series, which is published through Ambassador International. My favorite so far is Book 3, titled Guess Why God Made the Rainbow. I suppose part of it is the natural progression of growth as an author and in the publishing sphere. But I also did a few things differently this time. I used gentle rhythmic text and onomatopoeia, which makes it fun to read and more lighthearted, even though it’s dealing with a serious subject.

What does your writing space look like?

My space is very humble. Our family transplanted from the Pacific NW to Tennessee several years ago,

and when we did my husband and I downsized to a smaller home (but more land, thankfully). This puts me writing and working at my standing desk in our bedroom. Usually with two fur-babies on the bed beside me.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I’ve written in many forms for more than 20 years, often in the corporate and non-profit sector and wanted to publish for at least ten years before jumping to self-publish a devotional in 2017. Several years later I stepped out in faith to find a traditional publisher. By God’s goodness, I connected with Ambassador International for my children’s book series and recently launched the third book in what will now be the 7-part Questions for Kids series.

How do you come up with story lines?

For my children’s books, I start with prayer, and spend time reading the Bible, then brainstorm a story thread that would prompt another “question” for Lucy that naturally segues into the Bible account I cover in the book. My goal is to find that just right question that connects the Bible account to Lucy’s life, centering on a topic most kids can relate to. My mission is to make the Bible come alive for kids! I want them to see their circumstances through the lens of God’s Word, learning to make real-life connections to the Bible.

What draws you to the time period about which you write?

My love for God’s Word, and my desire to help build biblical literacy in this next generation, through colorful, entertaining, and biblically accurate stories.

Why do you write in your particular genre?

I have a background in K-8 education, and for a long time considered working with children a calling. I was blessed to raise my girls as a stay-at-home mom (mostly), and now find so much joy in spending time with my growing tribe of dearly loved grandchildren. To me, writing children’s books is an extension of what I feel called to: impacting this next generation.

What is your next project?

Book 4 in the Questions for Kids series! This book series follows the Bible chronologically, so this next one will be about a man called away from his family, on a journey to a new land far away. Can you guess what it’s about?

Excerpt: Guess Why God Made the Rainbow

“The boat was built. The animals had come. Now, Noah’s family waited. The people made fun of them because they didn’t believe in God, and they didn’t believe the rain would come. Then one day, it happened! Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their three wives finally saw God’s word come true in the form of cool sprinkles misting their faces. It was what they had been waiting for. Rain! They scrambled to get inside the boat.

Drip-drop. Rat-a-tat. Splatter.

The light rain quickly turned into a violent storm.”

You can get your copy of Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon, or wherever books are sold. 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/47tzcBn

About Karen:

Karen Ferguson is a writer, host of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to share God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love with the next generation. She wants every child to know their life matters.

You can connect with Karen on social media and sign up for her free newsletter to be the first to know about special events, book updates, freebies and giveaways.

Website: https://www.karenferg.com/
Facebook: illuminatecommunications.org
Instagram: karenfergusonauthor
Newsletter sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n5z4p0

Photo credits:

Author and books images: courtesy of Karen Ferguson

Desktop: Pixabay/Jess Bailey

Children: Pixabay/Alicja