Today we meet Donna Ferguson whose story “When We Met” is in our 155th anniversary issue that’s on sale now.
How long have you been writing fiction?
I loved writing stories when I was a child but stopped at 18 when I got into Cambridge to study literature – I think I felt intimidated and a bit overwhelmed. I continued writing though and became an award-winning freelance journalist for “The Guardian” and “The Observer”.
In January 2023, my beloved mother died very suddenly and unexpectedly. I felt I wanted to do something creative to honour her memory, and as she had always supported me as a writer, I decided to join a creative writing class. I made my tutor and half the class cry with my very first story, which was about my mum. How We Met is about the love I feel for my daughter and how the love between mothers and daughters never truly ends.
What’s your writing background?
I’ve been working as a journalist for more than 20 years and have won eight awards for my work on “The Guardian” and “The Observer”. However, “How We Met” is the very first work of fiction I have ever had published and I just wish my mum was still alive to read it as she would be very proud of me.
Who are some of your favourite authors?
It changes all the time but I love reading debut authors who write funny moving stories but aren’t afraid to tackle serious issues. I greatly enjoyed “Dear Mrs Bird” by AJ Pearce, “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus and “Rachel Ryan’s Resolutions” by Laura Starkey.
What are your long term writing plans?
I would like to write a novel some day and dedicate it to my mum and my daughter.
What advice would you give someone trying for success in the “Friend”?
Wow, it is such an honour to be asked that. I would say: write from the heart and about your own life, but from a fictional perspective. Don’t be afraid to send it in. The worst thing that can happen is that your story won’t get published, in which case you will be no worse off than if you had not tried.
Tracey Steel Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, I have found my perfect place on the “Friend” as I’m obsessed with reading and never go anywhere without a book! I read all of our stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!
