Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast Summary

Episode 264: Work-At-Home Moms: Asking for Help + Getting It All Done | Melissa Ferguson of The Friendly Farmhouse
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Host: Lisa Bass
Guest: Melissa Ferguson, Author of The Perfect Rom Com and Famous for a Living

Introduction

In Episode 264 of the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast, host Lisa Bass welcomes Melissa Ferguson, a bestselling author and fellow homesteader. This episode delves into Melissa's journey of balancing motherhood, homeschooling, homesteading, and a successful writing career. Lisa and Melissa explore strategies for asking for help, managing time effectively, and pursuing entrepreneurial passions alongside family responsibilities.

Meet Melissa Ferguson

Melissa Ferguson is best known for her heartwarming romantic comedies, including Meet Me in the Margins, The Dating Charade, and The Cul de Sac War. Living in Tennessee with her husband and four children, Melissa embraces a growing farmhouse lifestyle, blending writing with homeschooling and homesteading. Her books have garnered attention from prominent media outlets like the Hollywood Reporter, Travel and Leisure, Woman's World, and BuzzFeed.

Melissa's Homesteading Journey

Melissa and her family embarked on their homesteading adventure in 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Her husband, a builder, took advantage of a fortunate period to construct their farmhouse, securing materials before soaring lumber prices hit. Melissa shares the joys and challenges of integrating farm chores into family life, such as managing chickens, ducks, and sheep, including the excitement over acquiring a portable sheep tractor.

Melissa Ferguson [04:50]: "We were able to build our house for a really fraction of the cost, so it's been great. It's been about three years."

Balancing Writing and Family Life

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how Melissa balances her writing career with being a mother of four and managing a homestead. She candidly discusses the overwhelming nature of her to-do lists and the resulting stress when tasks seem insurmountable.

Lisa Bass [00:00]: "I feel like I'm in a good place right now with actually feeling like there's not more things to get done in a day than I can possibly do. I think that's the definition of stress."

Melissa emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing family over productivity and income.

Breakthrough Moments and Getting Help

Melissa recounts her struggle with burnout and the pivotal moment when she realized she needed assistance. After reaching a low point—crying in the laundry room—she and her husband decided to hire a tutor. This decision not only alleviated her stress but also doubled her productive time, allowing her to dedicate focused hours to writing.

Melissa Ferguson [07:10]: "I just need. We officially need to get some help."

She highlights the transformative impact of seeking help, such as grocery deliveries and professional tutoring, which played crucial roles in reclaiming her sanity and boosting her writing output.

Writing Process and Challenges

Melissa delves into the complexities of writing, describing it as an all-consuming endeavor that requires intense focus. She explains how dedicating specific hours to writing—eight hours a week—has been instrumental in her productivity.

Melissa Ferguson [09:34]: "I was able to have that dedicated time. So for just eight hours a week here and there, that's per year, do some quick math. That's a lot, a lot of time."

Melissa manages multiple projects simultaneously, including novels and children's books, while maintaining a rigorous writing schedule. She underscores the necessity of having a dedicated space and time to fully invest in her craft.

Advice for Aspiring Writers

Melissa offers invaluable advice for new authors, stressing the importance of attending writer’s conferences to understand the market and connect with reputable agents and publishers. She warns against the pitfalls of partnering with inexperienced agents who may not have the necessary connections or dedication.

Melissa Ferguson [34:42]: "Be very, very careful about that. And self-publishing is its own world that you can do great things in."

Melissa shares her own experiences of winning a writer’s conference award, which propelled her into the publishing world and led to a lucrative book deal with Thomas Nelson. She advises authors to be patient, avoid rushing into deals, and prioritize long-term benefits over immediate gains.

Raising Well-Read Children

Melissa emphasizes the significance of cultivating a love for reading in children. She attributes her children's avid reading habits to minimal screen time and a home environment rich with books.

Melissa Ferguson [52:23]: "We just have read to them forever now. Do I do that thing though? I will say this is one thing I don't do. I don't sit there and try. I remember when my twins were young and they'd be like, now we read them to sleep, you know, or now we read to them. It's like, no..."

She highlights the role of consistent reading routines and an engaging library environment in fostering her children's love for books.

Publishing Success and Marketing Strategies

Melissa discusses the critical role of preorders in book marketing. Preorders help generate buzz and signal to publishers that a book has strong potential, leading to better placement in stores like Target and Barnes & Noble.

Melissa Ferguson [55:39]: "When they see pre orders, what they can do is then like, my publicist will then go talk to various media outlets or book buyer places. Yeah, My marketing manager. And they say, hey, we're getting pre orders here, and so then Barnes and Noble, for example, will make a bigger buy and they'll say, oh, well, if that it's going to start having buzz and we'll get to bigger buys."

Melissa also underscores the importance of social media presence and direct sales through platforms like Instagram and her newsletter for maximizing book sales and visibility.

Finding Motivation and Purpose in Writing

Melissa shares her intrinsic motivations for writing, emphasizing the desire to create meaningful and entertaining stories rather than chasing fame or financial success. Her writing serves as a therapeutic outlet and a way to impart positive messages to her readers.

Melissa Ferguson [49:44]: "I want to make the world a little bit lighter. I want to... In my own way."

She believes that genuine passion for storytelling and the impact on readers are the driving forces behind her successful writing career.

Conclusion

Melissa Ferguson's journey encapsulates the challenges and triumphs of balancing family life with creative pursuits. Her insights offer encouragement to work-at-home moms and aspiring authors, highlighting the importance of asking for help, setting boundaries, and staying true to one's passions. For listeners seeking to follow Melissa’s work or purchase her latest books, she recommends visiting her Instagram at @TheFriendlyFarmhouse or subscribing to her newsletter at melissaferguson.com.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize and Set Boundaries: Clearly define what matters most and establish limits to prevent burnout.
• Seek Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to delegate or outsource tasks to manage workload effectively.
• Consistent Effort Pays Off: Dedicate regular, focused time to your passions to achieve significant progress.
• Choose the Right Partnerships: Whether in publishing or business, ensure you're collaborating with reputable and committed partners.
• Foster a Love for Reading: Create a home environment that encourages and nurtures children’s interest in books.

Follow Melissa Ferguson:

• Instagram: @TheFriendlyFarmhouse
• Newsletter: melissaferguson.com

Purchase Melissa’s Books:

• Available at major retailers and through her Instagram bio link.

Embark on your own journey of balancing motherhood, creativity, and homesteading by taking inspiration from Melissa’s experiences and applying her insightful strategies to your daily life.