New Meeting Date

Our next two meetings: February 27 and April 2

Due to several schedule conflicts in March, 

we will meet February 27, 10a - 12p. 

The topic: pitch

• Please prepare a pitch for a current project (even if it's not a book), whether it's in progress or still a dream. Part of our discussion will include how a pitch can focus our writing and thereby help us in the process.

• Time will be allotted for critiques. Please follow the guidelines at njcwg.blogspot.com. I encourage you to bring a sample of your work.

• On April 2nd, Katie Sweeting will present on the topic of research. (And if you're thinking that research isn't doesn't apply to what you're writing, you're wrong :)

• Below is the focus point of the February 6 meeting. 

Be blessed as you write for Him, Barbara

February Focus: Mindfulness

I just finished reading the book of Joshua. It was stimulating - inspiring - to read of challenges met and battles won. Who doesn’t like to hear about victory taken over an enemy? I gleaned a lot of warfare wisdom as I read through the book and now offer one of the nuggets as it relates to us as writers. It is the need for mindfulness.

A lack of productivity and discipline in our writing is rarely due to an outright refusal to work. We don't willfully resist writing, it's just that we’re not mindful of our craft. Mindful means: watchful, aware, alert, attentive, careful. 

In Joshua, the words “be careful” were spoken to or by him five times, often in conjunction with the admonition to be strong and courageous. They were spoken in an atmosphere of victory and success, which tells me that it is easy to become lax during times of accomplishment.

Last month I felt good about identifying and sharing my writing goals at our meeting - I suspect that you did too. But this month, I’m warning each of us to be mindful of the goals we set. Let’s not allow them to remain words on paper. Let’s be careful to intentionally work toward those goals, 

• to be watchful of our time 
• to be aware of creativity and time robbers
• to be alert to opportunities
• to be mindful of our intentions
• to be attentive to our craft and calling.

Joshua’s closing words include these: “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left”(Joshua 23:6). Let us be very strong and careful to do what God has put on our hearts, without turning to one side or the other, mindful of the task before us. 

Take away thought: Be careful. Live, and write, mindfully and intentionally.