Follow the trail of empty coffee mugs, chocolate wrappers, and the fragrance of scented candles, and you’ll likely find Michael Ferguson, local author and unrepentant people-watcher.
For the past four years, Michael Ferguson’s been channelling his observations … the quirky auntie, the outspoken artist, the annoyed little brother, your normal oak doing a good deed … into whole fictional worlds. He thinks of it as a lucky packet of personalities. And each book is his chance to shake it up and see what interesting traits fall out.
He’s a master of turning human behaviour into inspiration … especially bad behaviour. So, if you’re ever in his presence, you might want to play nice. Because if you misbehave, Michael warns, there’s a good chance some part of you will eventually end up in one of his novels.
In the last four years, he’s launched four books. First came Ephemera, Short Fictions, then The Acrimonious: Paranormal Fictions, both self-published. They’re both terrifying … and hilarious. Think The Adams Family or A Nightmare Before Christmas. Then, not long after, his big break came with A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning, which was published by Krest in July last year.
‘This novel is a love letter to mythology. I wanted to take elements from all the ancient myths that I have loved for so long and put them into a story of my own. It uses mythology to explore themes of feminism, motherhood, belonging, love, sacrifice, destiny and tragedy. It was supposed to be a stand-alone book but once I started, I couldn’t stop.
‘I had created this world in which there were more stories to be told and so a year later I finished A God of Flames and Monsters. I think it does a good job of expanding the universe while exploring themes of personal responsibility, fixing mistakes and doing the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing.’
Although Michael is an SEO specialist by day, storytelling has been his calling for as long as he can remember … and laughs about how his imagination practically has a life of its own. In fact, when he doesn’t write, or can’t express himself, he gets grumpy. The stories basically beg to escape.
‘The stories are there in my head, and if I don’t let them out, then I get all cranky. I’m not the boss. The stories and the characters are.’
In contrast, his happiest moments are when readers get his work … catching the details he thought no one would notice. In fact, he was over the moon when a reader from the USA posted a review of A Prophecy of Flowers and Lightning earlier this year.
Michael describes his driving force as half passion, half pure spite. Yes, he’s living the writer’s dream fuelled by love for the craft and a desire to thrive in full view of anyone who ever doubted him. (So long, haters!)
‘My life motto is … do not speak quietly about the things that set your soul on fire. Shout them so that even the uninterested will have no choice but to hear you.’
When he’s in creative mode, his home office is his sanctuary. It’s stocked with coffee, chocolate, a large monitor, his fave keyboard and most importantly, peace and quiet. But if he needs a change of scenery, you’ll most probably find him at Mugg & Bean or The Daily, happily tucked away in a cozy corner with a latte.
Right now, he’s already working on the third and (maybe) final book of his Luciferian Mythos series, and he always has a few short stories in the works, which he releases throughout the year.
From where he stands, Michael’s already living his dream. Four years ago, he couldn’t have guessed the amazing journey he was embarking on, and he’s eternally grateful.
Now, he’s just hoping for even more opportunities, ready to seize them with both hands, both feet … and maybe some coffee or chocolate in hand. Watch this space, because his story is only just beginning.
Details: Follow @michaelkweziferguson on Insta and TikTok
Any quirky writing rituals?
Hahaha! I am quirky by nature so, yes. My favourite time to write is at night. I take a shower or a bath with some of my favourite products from places like Lush or Rain. There is something about what I call ‘washing the day off of myself’ that really resets my brain and gets me into that creative space. I love music and create playlists that I feel match the vibe of what I am writing. I also like to burn a scented candle while I am writing. Also chocolate! My books were written on top of mountains of empty Cadbury Whole Nut slab wrappers.
The best way to beat writer’s block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. There is only writer’s doubt. But, if a writer ever feels ‘blocked’ there are three things that might help. The first thing is to write through the problem. Get whatever you can down on the page. You will either solve the problem this way or you can come back to it later. Secondly, walk away and do something else. Whatever you are struggling with in the story will be resolved and pop into your head while you are doing the dishes or in the drive thru line at Burger King. Lastly, talk about the story. Call a friend or your mom or even just talk to yourself and tell them your story out loud. This sounds strange but it really helps and it’s like a lightbulb will go off in your head with all the answers you need.
How do you breathe life into your characters?
I do use bits and pieces from people in real life (or even situations people have found themselves in) to give my characters life and believability. I have so much love and respect for women, and I can only hope that comes across in my writing. I find women a little more interesting to write about than men. They have a nuance to them – in my mind anyway – that make them more enjoyable for me to write than my male characters. They can be powerful while also being beautiful, dangerous and at the same time beguiling in ways that men just can’t be.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Making a fool of myself on social media, reading, watching TV and spending time with friends, family and of course my partner, Berno. We have three sausage dogs who keep us busy, too. Tammy is geriatric at 14 years old and only moves when food is put in her bowl. Merry and Pippin are eight months old and enjoy causing chaos wherever their paws carry them.
What does your ideal fantasy Christmas look like?
I absolutely adore Christmas. I go all out every year. Decorations everywhere. A perfect Christmas is time with family, good food – roast chicken! – that is prepared and eaten together, good wine (white preferably in the Summer … especially Leopards Leap Chenin Blanc and De Grendel Cap Classique Brut). And don’t forget, lots of books under the Christmas tree. As far as I am concerned nothing beats a good book as a Christmas present, to give or receive.
You can find his books at Bargain Books, Wordsworth Books and Exclusive Books from around R275. If you want a signed copy, go to Bargain Books at Woodlands Mall and Wordsworth Books at Castel Gate.
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. Images: SUBMITTED.
