Felicia achieved master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Speech-Language Pathology, but has written since childhood and dreamed of authoring books that teach and inspire others. An award-winning fiction and non-fiction freelance writer, she’s the past president of the Destin chapter of Word Weavers International and member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. When she’s not glued to her laptop, Felicia enjoys hiking, meandering with her twelve-year-old Frenchie, and looking forward to the next story.

Tell us about your newest book.

The Choices She Made is a time slip women’s contemporary fiction book set in a fictional ranching town in east Texas. Madeline, the main character, was sexually assaulted at seventeen by an acquaintance, who was the son of a wealthy rancher and she becomes pregnant. The first timeline is of Madeline at seventeen working through the assault and the options of whether to terminate the pregnancy, put the child up for adoption, or keep her. To complicate matters, she is dating a boy who wants to marry her, but he is waffling between going into the military or staying in their ranching town.

The second timeline is of Madeline as a 30-year-old. She kept the child, but moved away so Georgia, her daughter, wouldn’t grow up with small town gossip about her conception. Madeline has never told Georgia who her father is. She’s always said God is her father. This timeline starts with Madeline finding out 1) Georgia has been given a family tree assignment by her history teacher and 2) Georgia’s biological father is on trial for assaulting other women. It follows Madeline’s working through how to tell Georgia about her father in light of the assault and trial and whether or not she will testify about her experience.

What inspired you to write The Choices She Made?

I actually woke up one morning with the vivid image of walking into the auction house where Madeline was assaulted. From there the story just came to life. The setting was inspired by my own childhood growing up on a horse and cattle farm in Kentucky as well as my early years in Texas. Madeline just somehow joined the story.

How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?

Madeline’s story follows a woman leaning into (and growing) her faith after a devastating, life-changing experience and learning to trust God’s word when he says he will make all things work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

What genre do you focus on?

I write in the women’s fiction genre. But I think it more chose me than me it. I love strong female characters and my reading preferences tend more to that love than any particular genre. From Star Trek and Star Wars to all of Jane Austen’s works, I’m interested in characters. Why they do what they do. Who they are below the surface. How they grow and change over the course of the novel or a series of novels. Women’s fiction really allows for delving into those questions.

Why do you write?

Writing is really who I am. It’s an extension of myself. The ability to see scenes in my head, hear characters in my ears, and then translate their stories to text is probably my favorite thing about writing. Although I really do enjoy rewriting and tweaking to find just the right words once the story is actually down on paper. Deepening the characters, the scenes, the situations so that they truly come to life for the reader.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

Madeline Williams. My main characters always name themselves as their story begins to form in my head. It’s like they introduce themselves and then say it’s time for their story to be written.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?

I’m a morning writer. So I’ll grab my mug of tea, a protein ball, and do my devotions, then hit the keyboard by seven AM at the latest. I’ll usually write until around 10AM when the furchild needs a walk, then come back and write until lunch. If I’m pushing to get through the muddle of the middle, I’ll start back up after lunch and write until my brain is numb.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

Writing the middle of a novel. They don’t call it the “muddle” for nothing! I have to force myself to get a certain word count or number of chapters done a day when I get into the 45,000 word count mark.

What’s the best part of your author’s life?

I love being able to tell stories of regular people who wrestle with God, his plan, their wounds, and the people around them. It’s life. And while it’s beautiful, God never promised it would be easy. Being able to show readers how they can work through their own doubts, hurts, and traumas toward healing is extremely fulfilling. It feels like kingdom impact, which is my biggest goal for writing.

What’s one thing your readers should know about you?

I’ve never been a fan of stories where the characters bring out all of their issues only to repack them at the end and go on with their lives. Or worse, they all-of-a-sudden change into a better or more whole person, but the reader doesn’t get to walk with them through the growth process to see how they did it. So in my stories, I show readers that “how” and let them experience and empathize with the hard work so they can celebrate and appreciate the character’s moving into or at least toward a life of freedom (which should be the normal, abundant Christian life). And then perhaps be inspired to do their own hard work toward healing.

How have you changed or grown as a writer?

Oh, goodness. I’ve grown so much thanks to reading craft books, attending conferences, participating in critique groups and working with writing mentors. I feel like my characters are deeper, their emotions are more vivid and experiential, and I’ve learned how to weave more story threads into a plot and still provide a satisfying ending.

What is your favorite pastime?

Outside of writing, it would be exploring. I moved to Colorado in June 2023, and I love pulling up Google Maps, finding some point, putting Lillie in the car, and driving around.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

Yes, I have two hybrid published books set on Florida’s 30A and in Fairhope, AL. The Paths We Walk: Trails and The Paths We Walk: Bridges. Tunnels, the third and final book in that series, has been sitting on my hard drive for years while I pursued the stand-alone books. But I have promised one of my readers from church that writing it is next on the list. I also have another book releasing in October with End Game Press. The current title (which I hope I’ll keep) is When Secrets Come Calling. It is set in Montgomery and Gulf Shores, AL. Another one is finished and ready to be published, but I’m researching publishing options for it right now. It’s set at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida during the Bosnian War. Its focus is on repeating family choices and behaviors and the strength and courage it takes to follow another path.

Lastly, in December, I finished a novel set in the Florida panhandle after Hurricane Michael and in Golden, CO. It’s overarching theme is, “How do you recover from betrayal? And what happens if you don’t?”

What are you working on now?

Edits of the completed novels, the last book in The Paths We Walk series, and coordinating the 2024 Write in the Springs conference.

Website: www.feliciafergusonauthor.com

Link to book: https://feliciafergusonauthor.com/books/

Social media links:

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https://www.instagram.com/felicia_writes/