Melissa Ferguson

Melissa Ferguson lives in Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge. She is confident you should read all her novels, starting with this one. Connect with her (and prepare for the possibility of becoming her next character) at: 

Instagram: @melissafergusonauthor

TikTok: @melissafergusonauthor

Do you collect anything? If so, what, why, and for how long?  

This is probably the most on-the-nose answer possible to give as an author, but when traveling I love to collect books. It only started a few years ago when on a family trip to Moab, Utah. I spotted a lovely independent bookstore, went in, and found this wonderful illustrated children’s book (The Autumn Visitors) and a great edition of Pride and Prejudice. I bought both, came home, and realized that every time I spotted it on the shelf or read it to my children, I remembered fondly our special trip and that special store. And so began a new tradition. Instead of sweatshirts or magnets, I try to collect a new book from a sweet indie bookstore during every special trip. 

What’s the difference (at least for you!) between being a writer and an author? How do you shift gears between the two? 

For me, there was a subtle but very real difference between the two. For years before publication I wrote fairly secretly in my bedroom, afraid to even tell people I wrote. At most, I’d say I dabbled at writing like a little hobby one picked up on occasion (when in reality, I was addicted). Then, after I signed with a literary agent and neared my first book contract I transitioned into mentioning more freely that I “wrote.” I wasn’t so brave as to call myself a writer, but I did “write.” I recall how much bravery it took to make my Instagram handle @melissafergusonwrites. I fretted over it, not wanting to be presumptuous or imply I had any real clue what I was doing. But then, after I signed my three-book deal and my debut released last December, I slowly shifted into becoming comfortable calling myself an author. Changing my Instagram handle to @melissafergusonauthor. Introducing myself in conversation more and more with the words, “I’m an author.” Now, I’m finally comfortable calling myself what I dreamed of being for so long.  

I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a particular definition between the two, but in my mind back then, an author was a success. And success in my mind simply meant a people was getting some sort of return on his or her investment. I spent years slaving away over my unpublished manuscripts. Time and money and energy and hope all spent endlessly. And for me, once I saw that book contract, with a real offer of ROI, I felt like I had finally jumped over that invisible hurdle into being “an author.” 

For the record, I think it’s perfectly wonderful for anyone writing to call themselves whatever they want to call themselves. And proudly, too, because we all know the incredible amount of endurance and work it takes to do this life. So author or writer or both, congratulations on wherever you are in the journey. This is just the history of my own imposter syndrome, and how the definition of “writer” and “author” played into it. 
 

Favorite non-reading activity? 

Walking. I bought a step-tracker this past year, and I’m so obsessed that a side character in my current work-in-progress is also obsessed to the point that she created and runs a Steps-4-Life stepathon and drags the main character into ridiculous step-counting activities.   

Vacation druthers . . . City or Rural destination? Why? 

Well, aside from watching You’ve Got Mail every fall and—without fail—pining to go to New York City on another trip, I typically prefer a rural destination. With my family I love to go camping for the hikes and campfires (we went in an RV this summer and, contrary to all my expectations, it was wonderful!), but when I’m alone I have really enjoyed my trips to Nashville to visit with my publisher. I do love that big cities have such great food, and as a vegetable eater about 95% of the time, the options are amazing!  

Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?  

Well, aside from the typical rom/coms of the 90s, I like to settle into one comedy and enjoy bits and pieces of reruns while I’m in the midst of writing my books. I write sweet romantic comedy, so for me I appreciate the quick wit and banter of, for example, Niles and Frasier Crane in Frasier. I find that watching that on occasion (and particularly not sad or dramatic movies or tv shows), helps me when writing my own scenes.