Photo appeared in the - Central Kitsap REPORTER March 13, 2001 edition

Article appeared in the - Herald and News - Klamath Falls. OR - March 23, 2001 edition, by Aloha Pettit-Schaefer

ALTURAS — Tom and Donna Ferguson moved to Alturas about six years ago after retiring from their own commercial diving and fishing business.

She made it sound   simple. 

Disciplined and methodical, Ferguson enrolled in a non-fiction writing course conducted by “Writers Digest.”

When critique after critique suggested she transfer to fiction writing, she decided to write a mystery novel, incorporating her years of experience as a diver.

For the next five years she worked two hours every morning before going to work at 8 a.m. Weekends she rewrote what she had written during the week.

Finally, Ferguson’s first novel, “Troubled Waters,” was finished.

Co-worker and friend Barry Fanning, a special education instructor, was given the privilege of the first read.

Unlike some who had been privy to first drafts, Fanning was honest, constructive and critical in his praise. They went to work on the rewriting. Line by line. Paragraph by paragraph. Page by page. Until, again, it was finished.

Their final test was to read the entire book aloud.

Ferguson also tried to find an agent, something that had frustrated her before the book was completed.

“I nearly burned myself out in that attempt,” she said of the first effort.

When the book was finished Ferguson did some research and found the Web site for iuniverse.com, a print-on-demand branch of Barnes and Noble.

She submitted her book last October — and soon received word that “Troubled Waters” had been accepted for publication.

After more rewriting, iuniverse .com sent proofs. Ferguson sent corrections. In return, she received five author’s copies that still needed corrections. 

But her first novel, “Troubled Waters,” was a real book. In February, Ferguson received word that iuniverse.com had received, via the Internet, the first orders for the book.

After settling in, it wasn’t long before Tom had set up their HAM radio — Tom and Donna both are licensed HAM radio operators — and his woodworking shop. He maintains a Web site at www.Warwood Crafts.com.

Donna quickly found her special niche as an instructional aide with the Modoc County Office of Education. She worked the first year as a speech therapist in the Alturas Elementary School and now works with students at Modoc High School.

Donna, or “DJ” as she’s been known since childhood, has had a wide range of experiences in life.

Young in appearance, small-framed in stature and almost shy, it’s difficult to even imagine her on a commercial diving boat, much less realize she had actually worked for 20 years diving and harvesting sea urchins.

Skilled pen-and-ink drawings and photographs decorate their home, attesting to her artistic nature.

“Actually, photography was my first interest,” explained Donna. “But then I realized how really competitive the field of commercial photography is and decided to try writing.”

Ferguson will hold a book signing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Sweet Things/Victorian Cove at 100 E. 10th and Main streets in Alturas. For information telephone Shirley Overacker at Sweet Things at (530) 233-5719 or Jerri Battram at the Victorian Cove at (530) 233-2683.

For more information about “Troubled Waters” visit the author’s Web site at www.hdo.net/~msutter.

Note:
Tom "Ferggie" Ferguson, N6SSQ - SOJOURNER F015L

(Note the drawer for log book, blank RADIOGRAMS, headphones, etc. under the antenna reel.)