Wednesday, March 30, 2016

April Meeting

Our April meeting is this Saturday,

April 2, 10 a.m. til noon

Member Katie Sweeting will present the importance and methods of Research, drawing from her personal and professional experience.

Location and critique guidelines can be found at njcwg.blogspot.com
The following is the Focus Point of our March meeting (which was actually February 27).

Clarity

Pitch is a concise, nutshell description of a writing project. The benefit of a pitch is that it clarifies our project so others can understand what it's about, but there is a personal benefit as well - pitch clarifies our purpose.
Take a look at the word clarity. It is defined as the quality of being easily understood, of being clear. Synonyms include: apparent, understandable, comprehensible, plain.
I usually have a swirl of thoughts, feelings, ideas and plans spiraling through my heart and head. I need to calm myself and look deeply so I can clarify my purpose and focus. Just what are my goals, aspirations, intentions, dreams and objectives in this project? Most importantly, what is God’s purpose in inspiring me to write this piece?
Proverbs 20:5 reads, “The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” While this is speaking of someone drawing out the purposes of someone else’s heart, the same can be true of understanding what is in our own hearts. If we want clarity of direction and purpose we need to draw them out so we can chart a clear course.
Most Christian writers are familiar with Habakkuk 2:2: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Before a herald runs with it, it needs to be plain enough for me to run with it. According to Proverbs 14:8, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways….” Prudence to seek God's purpose and wisdom and draw out my thoughts and bring them into focus, frees me to run with my words.
Take away thought: I will seek clarity by taking time for reflection to understand God’s heart and my own heart in the piece I’m writing and in the life I’m living. 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Story Callout Opportunity


Quick reminder - our monthly meeting is THIS Sat. 2/27 @ 10 am. 
Our meeting is about "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.
Here's an article that explains a little about "pitch" (vs. press release): 
http://bit.ly/1LOinNd


Below are two opportunities to publish for Moments from Grace Publishing:


Moments


Submissions should be sent to:
Yvonne Lehman

Story callout from Yvonne Lehman:
I'm now accepting submissions for two new Moments books to be released in 2016 and 2017. These are compilations of 50 stories by 40+ authors in each book, published by Grace Publishing

Already in print are Divine MomentsSpoken Moments, Precious, Precocious Moments,and Christmas Moments (2014 and 2015). The variety of approaches to the themes for past books has been really inspiring. Some long, some short, some humorous, others serious.

There is no compensation (except publication and joy!). Authors get one free copy and discount on orders. Royalties go to Samaritan's Purse. We always make a presentation of authors of Moments books at the May Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

Submissions come in quickly, so you might want to hurry! First acceptable 50 will be accepted. These are true stories of events, experiences, lessons learned, etc. Articles range from 500-2000+ words. Content is the key!

Christmas Moments Book #3 - articles about the true meaning of Christmas - Christmas experiences, meaningful or touching stories about Christmas - similar to Christmas Moments Books #1 and 2. Deadline March 15, 2016.

Loving Moments - personal love stories; love for children, parents, animals, etc.; and/or love for God, His love for us, etc. Deadline May 31, 2016.

Contributors should put Loving Moments or Christmas Moments Book #3 in subject line and send to yvonnelehman3@gmail.com.