Next Meeting NJCWG

Next Meeting -- NJCWG
Monday, November 13, 2006
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Lesson (Tapes from 2006 Glorieta)
8:00-9:00 Critiques

I am considering moving meetings to once each month on the first Saturday of each month from 3:00-5:00 pm and I would like to know what the rest of the members think of this....

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Screen Writing

Ambassador Communications Inc., the home of Christian screenwriting and the Christian Screenwriters' Newsletter, invites you to enter the 1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition, honoring the best in faith-based TV Series Pilots and Feature Length Screenplays. The winners will receive cash and sponsor prizes, and will be considered for representation by WGA agent TERRY PORTER of AGAPE PRODUCTIONS. In addition, the winning scripts will be read by FOX FAITH, JENKINS ENTERTAINMENT, NUMENOREAN FILMS, REVOLUTION MEDIA, DISTILLERY PICTURES, PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT, DUSTSTORM PRODUCTIONS, L.A. PICTURES, and SAYLORS BROS. ENTERTAINMENT. To enter the contest, please log on to http://www.ambassadorcommunications.biz/faithandvalues.html or email info@ambassadorcommunications.biz or call 204-292-4095. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2007.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Claire Hutchinson

President

Ambassador Communications Inc.

www.ambassadorcommunications.biz

NJCWG Important Info

For the remainder of 2006 there is
ONLY ONE MEETING
Next Meeting - Monday, 11/13/06

NO MEETING - 11/27/06 (due to Thanksgiving)
NO MEETING - 12/11/06
NO MEETING - 12/25/06 (due to Christmas)

ALSO - due to a lack of... ??? -- there will be NO NJCWG Christmas Party this year.

Online Writing Groups

So, you want to be published? Get connected.
Can't find a writers group near where you live? Join an online group!

For your convenience, I am once again listing a number of great online writers groups you can join.

FCW - Fellowship of Christian Writers
Excellent group that shares writing help along with promoting accountability
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCW/

TWV1 - TheWriters View 1
For published authors only - lots of marketing and industry info.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWritersView/

TWV2 - TheWriters View 2
For writers who are just starting out - GREAT group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TWV2/

CWG - Christian Writers Group
General discussion group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CWG/

Writing Exercise

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Here is a writing exercise for those writers who need a bit of inspiration - or a kick in the you-know-what to get them started.
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Most of you know the line "It was a dark and stormy night.." made famous by the THE most famous (infamous?) writer of our century - Snoopy. This line was originaly penned by Victorian novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, as the beginning of his 1830 novel Paul Clifford. Here is the complete opening line.

"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."

Your assignment -- rewrite this opening using Showing techniques rather than Telling ones. Don't overwrite. Don't use a lon list of adjectivs. Break up the sentence into manageable bites. In other words -- write tight -- write clean -- write a great opening.

If you are interested in a free critque of your rewritten paragraph, drop me an email.

Louie Bergmann DuMont
Author, Speaker & Facilitator of the North Jersey Christian Writers Group (NJCWG)

Book Proposals That Sell

"If you are currently writing a book or even thinking about writing a book, you won't want to miss this online event. "
Louise Bergmann DuMont, NJCWG

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From Editor and Author - Terry Whalin
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Let's Talk About Book Proposals
On Thursday, October 26th, I will be chatting for two hours at the Institute of Children's Literature. The topic is book proposals and how as writers submit better proposals, then they will improve the results from their submissions.
If you can, join us for the chat. I recommend you go to the chatroom ahead of time to register (free) then participate.
Here’s the times:
9-11 p.m. Atlantic/Canada
8-10 p.m. Eastern
7-9 Central
6-8 Mountain
5-7 Pacific

If you are reading this article after October 26th, the transcript for this chat are stored online. These archives are a rich resource of writing information on a variety of topics from many different participants. In the past, I've been in this chatroom--in fact three times but Thursday will mark the first time talking about Book Proposals That Sell. I hope to see you there.

Chat with Terry Whalin

On Thursday (10/26/06), Terry Whalin is going to be chatting about Book Proposals That Sell for two hours at the Institute of Children's Literature website. This event is free--but he advises that you register ahead of time so you will be ready to participate. If you can't make it, the transcript will be stored on the ICL website--after the chat.

Here's where you can learn the details: http://tinyurl.com/ygvrps

Writing Op - Morning Song

This just came across my desk
Facilitator, NJCWG
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I am the publisher of a new e-Newsletter called "Morning Songs". The newsletter is about Christian and Gospel music, Christian life, faith, spirituality, and just life in general. If you are interested in contributing to this monthly publication, send me a 500 word article along with your contact information. We'll review it for potential publication. If you have any more questions about it you can contact me directly at morningsongs_newsletter@yahoo.com. I think there can be some great, ongoing contributions that come from you. I can't wait to hear from you. If you just want to read it when its done, you can also email me. We hope to have the first publication ready in November, just in time for Thanksgiving. Be blessed.

Chance Glenn
Editor - Morning Songs

Next Meeting - NJCWG

Louise Bergmann DuMont at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference
She is teaching her KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE/WRITE TO MARKET class.

I'm SO excitied about our next meeting. I hope to share some of the many things I learned at the 2006 Glorieta Christian Writers Conference.

The worship, devotionals, opening and closing sessions were amazing.

The classes exceeded everyone's expectations.

God brought me so much more than I ever expected during the faculty to faculty sessions (you will be nearly as excitied as I am when you hear about it all).

The attendee to faculty appointments that I participated in were awsome as well.

And of course I reconnected with great old friends and made dozens of new ones.

To be the first to hear all the details, come to our next NJCWG meeting.

Next meeting -- NJCWG
Monday, October 23, 2006

Ringwood Baptist Church
30 Carletondale Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456

6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson / Glorieta
Networking Ops, Classes, Connections, , CD's Available, Writers Guidelines & Sample Copies... and so much more.
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Terry Whalin, Fiction Acquisitions Editor Howard Books

Terry Whalin, Fiction Acquisitions Editor Howard Books, and author, Louise Bergmann DuMont, pose for a picture after dinner at the 2006 Glorieta Christian Writers Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Editor Appointments

Attendee and editor in the midst of an all-important appintment.

Nick Harrison

Nick Harrison, author and Acquisitions Editor for Harvest House, allowed me to snap this picture one afternoon when we were having lunch together. It was such a pleasure to learn from this knowledgeable (and patient) man.

Joe Box Mysteries author, John Robinson

One of my favorite authors, John Robinson, takes a break and enjoys the glorious weather in between his faculty to faculty appointments, attendee to faculty appointments, and rigorous teaching schedule. It was a real blessing for me to reconnect with John at this conference. 

Glorieta's Chuck Wagon

TheWritersView1 Members taking a break at the Chuck Wagon

TheWriters'View1 is an online Christian writing group for those activingly engaged in publication. We gathered after the days sessions for popcorn, lattes and a good time at Glorieta's Chuck Wagon Cafe. These after hour get-togethers are a great place to connect with editors and publishers whose appointment schedules are full during the day.

De-Cluttered Bug

Author, Kathryn Porter, poses with her new book (Too Much Stuff: Decluttering Your Heart and Home) and friend Louise Bergmann DuMont. We met at last yer's Glorieta Christian Writers Conference and were able to reconnect this year. SO much fun. One great reason for attending writers conferences is the friends we make -- friends who encourage us and lift us beyond the places we can go on our own.

Do check out Kathryn Porters books. She is both an amazing person and great author. You'll be seeing more from this lady.

Nancy Wialliams

Author, counselor, speaker & life coach - Nancy Willaims (o the left) shares a moment of fun with fellow Glorieta attendee. 

Writers View Phot

TheWritersView1 members got together in Glorieta's after hour cafe (The Chuckwagon) for a few lattes and this photo.

SpiritLedWriter - Pls Read

The SpiritLed Writer has been having a few electronic problems. If you submitted to this publication, please read the message below.

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Hi all,

When your publication works solely by email, an ISP problem is a big deal. SO...

Just a quick note to say that due to a problem with the host for the magazine:

1) we've lost all emails in my inbox from July, including submissions and requested manuscripts (unfortunately, we didn't realize this until last month when we noticed no emails coming in, and when the inbox was wiped out).

**Our webmaster is trying to figure all this out, but in the meantime we have issues to get out...

2) we are experiencing problems receiving email (including responses to our feedback buttons, etc.). If you received a "blocked" email from the site this explains why.So, I'd appreciate any help with the following.

Please respond to me at lacrayton@yahoo.com

1) you have sent a manuscript, please resend (I responded positively to several subs last month, and have not received the manuscript -- I expect these were blocked) -- at lacrayton@yahoo.com

2) if you have a reprint to offer, please submit it at lacrayton@yahoo.com

3) please continue to pray for the ministry of SPIRIT-LED WRITER, we so appreciate it.

Thanks,
Lisa, Publisher

FREE Business Cards

Vista Print is at it again. They are offering FREE business cards to anyone who wants them. Sure there is a catch (you didn't really believe that they would give them away without a catch did you?).

Here's the deal - 1) you must pay the shipping - which is minimal. 2) Vista Print puts their web address in very small print on the back of each card. That's it.

I use Vista Print for all of my business cards, oversized publicity post cards, etc. They do an excellent job and you sure can't beat this price.

Writers need business cards. While I was at Glorieta I collected dozens of them and will file them for future contact information. Editors and publishers file them for future use too. Get 250 FREE Business Cards Now! Here is their link: FREE CARDS

To see all of Vista Print's products and other free offers go to: vistaprint.com

Kathy Pride- Featured Author of the Month

October's Featured Author
Kathy Pride
Author of Winning the Drug War At Home

Kathy Pride wears many hats, including author, newspaper columnist, speaker, and parent educator. Her favorite roles are as a mother to her four children, best friend to her husband, and high energy advocate for people whose hope tanks are running low. She has recently authored a book entitled Winning the Drug War at Home, released by AMG Publishers in April, 2006.

You can find out more about Kathy and her ministry (Tapestry Ministries) at her website.