Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Meeting this Saturday

November 3, 10 am - noon

In the Barn at
Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff


We welcome seasoned writers and novices.

Focus: The Inception and Birth of Brilliance

(Hint: It's all in the mind!)


Please note, our previously scheduled guest will speak 
about conducting surveys at a future meeting.

Members are invited to bring pages for critique, please see website for specifics.

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

See you Saturday!

October 13, 10 am - noon

In the Barn at
Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff


We welcome seasoned writers and novices.

Be prepared to share your current writing goals, hopes or projects 
and participate in a writing exercise. 

If you attended September's workshop,
 we would love to hear one bit of inspiration you took away.

Members, we welcome your pages for critique. 

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Reminder

Dear Writers, Please be reminded our October meeting is the second Saturday this month.

October 13, 10 am - noon

In the Barn at
Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff


We welcome seasoned writers and novices.

Be prepared to share your current writing goals, hopes or projects 
and participate in a writing exercise. 

If you attended September's workshop,
 we would love to hear one bit of inspiration you took away.

Members, we welcome your pages for critique. 

Friday, September 14, 2018

Workshop: September Focus Point


Where did that idea come from... and where will it go?

You know what it’s like—a thought takes hold. Sometimes an idea pops into your mind, other times it takes shape slowly, and sometimes it branches off something you heard or read. Some are viable, some are crazy, some are impossible. And sometimes it’s hard to determine if it’s a good idea or a God idea.

Each one of us is made in the image of God. We’ve been made in His likeness, created to rule. We know this from Genesis 1:26 when God said,

"Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
We were not created like the earth which, once set in motion, still rotates on its axis and orbits the sun. We were not created like vegetation that replenishes itself without care, or like the sun, moon and stars that thoughtlessly light our world. We were not even created like the animals, that reproduce and survive by instinct. We were created like God—image reflectors of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—to feel, act and create like Him.

We know from John 1:3, that all things were made through God and nothing was made without Him. To me, this speaks of all that has been created from the beginning and of every creative endeavor since then.

A clear example of this was in the building of the tabernacle. Exodus 35 tells of those who were filled “with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs.” We read that God “filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen.”

This is why we’re here today—we are filled with God’s Spirit, with skill, ability and knowledge to fulfill His calling to create with words.
John Piper wrote,If you are God, your work is to create out of nothing. If you are not God, but like God—that is, if you are human—your work is to take what God has made and shape it and use it to make him look great. (Don't Waste Your Life, p.139)
My hope for today is that each of us will find fresh ways to make God look great. That we will be inspired to consider different genres, explore new venues, respond to creative urges, develop dormant dreams, and be receptive to new ideas.

And in our heart of hearts, we want to get our ideas out there. We're not content to let them be ours alone, but want to share them. We want to impact our world.

So... what do you do with your ideas?

Please, don't dismiss them! Think outside your box. Capture your ideasmake a list. Over time you’ll dismiss many, but there may be one—or a few—that will develop wings and take flight. Your idea may grow into a beautiful endeavor that reflects the heart of our Creator.
Image credit: abcoach.es

Reminder

Our October meeting is the second Saturday, 10/13/18.


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Final Reminder - Register for Sept 8 Writers Workshop

FINAL REMINDER!! 

Please register asap if you have not already done so


You can register online at: bit.ly/NJCWG

~ OR ~

Print this flyer and complete the bottom as indicated.



Please share with any writer you think might be interested. 



Many thanks to those of you who have already registered! 
We're looking forward to a great day. 

 

Sunday, August 19, 2018

WRITERS WORKSHOP - Sept. 8 meeting


REMINDER!! 
Please Register asap if you have not already done so

You can register online at: bit.ly/NJCWG
~ OR ~
Print this flyer and complete the bottom as indicated. 



Wednesday, August 01, 2018

Join us this Saturday


August 4, 10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church,
in the Barn

At this informal summer meeting we will discuss any writing challenges, 
topics or questions you bring. As usual, there will be time for critiques. 

Monday, July 09, 2018

Are you joining us this Saturday?

We will have an informal meeting this Saturday, 

July 14, from 10-noon, 

upstairs in the Barn at Cornerstone Christian Church. 

Since this is our first attempt to meet during the summer, 
please RSVP at bhigby9323@gmail.com by Wednesday 
to let me know if you will or will not be attending. 

Come with your writing quandaries or questions. 
As usual, we will leave time for critiques. 

Our next meeting will be 8/4. 
Please note that the first two fall meetings will be on second Saturdays:
September 8 & October 13

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Yes, we're meeting over the summer!


Summer meetings

July 14 (upstairs) 

August 4 (regular room)


These informal meetings will be opportunities for encouragement and to discuss personal questions or concerns. There will no Focus Point or planned exercises but critique pieces are welcome. Regular members, please contact Barbara (bhigby9323@gmail.com) with your intentions. If we do not have a number of attendees and decide to cancel, we want to notify members who travel a distance. Also give me a heads up about questions or topics you want to discuss. The Focus Point from our June meeting is below.


Focus Point
Our Story

When E. B. White was 48 years old, he wrote, 
“I’m glad to report that even now, at this late day, a blank sheet of paper holds the greatest excitement there is for me—more promising than a silver cloud, prettier than a little red wagon. It holds all the hope there is, all fears. I can remember, really quite distinctly, looking a sheet of paper square in the eyes when I was seven or eight years old and thinking, ‘This is where I belong, this is it.’” Letter to Stanley Hart White, January 1947 
I can’t say I’ve ever thrilled over a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen), but I love E.B. White’s sense of anticipation and his awareness of limitless possibilities. Our joy in writing should not falter under the shadow of staleness, the pressure of a deadline, or a feeling of obligation. 

As a Christian writer, my thrill is to be a blank sheet of paper. I love the joy of Creator God writing my story and using me to write His. I delight in discovering a creative thought, a twist of words, the perfect analogy, an original description, or inspired theme. 

As the bride spoke of the bridegroom in Song of Solomon (2:16), let us say, “I am His.” What will God write in us? What will He inspire us to write? Let’s rekindle the joy of our gift. As we share summer writing goals, let’s remain as a blank sheet, ready to receive from the Author of our faith. 
 
Take home thought: Lord, I am yours. As the author of my story, use me to write your story.