Our meeting is this Saturday

Just a reminder...

Our June meeting is this Saturday, June 20, 10 am - 

our last meeting until September.

We will focus on periodicals, looking at format and writing ops.

Please bring two periodical/anthology writing opportunities and 

your summer writing goals. 

If you have work you want critiqued please follow the guidelines on our website.

Change of June Meeting Date

Our June meeting is rescheduled for Saturday, June 20, 10 am, when we will focus on periodicals, looking at format and writing ops.

Please bring two periodical/anthology writing opportunities and 

your summer writing goals. 

This will be our last meeting until September

On June 6 (our original meeting date) several of our members will be attending The Justice Conference. 

Please scroll down for information and consider attending.

Thoughts to Ponder from our May meeting:

Focus: Discovery. I consider discovery to be one of God’s best gifts and one of the greatest joys of life. Take a look at the definition:

• to gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown)
• to see, find, or become aware of (something) for the first time
• to learn or find out something surprising or unexpected (Mirriam-Webster)

I remember the thrill when I first realized that we won’t know everything the minute we’re in heaven but will enjoy an eternity of discovery. How could it be heaven if there was nothing new to discover or learn? 

Think about the excitement you feel when you’re in the car and spy a deer grazing by the side of the road - or spot the first crocus of spring - or hear your child or grandchild reveal an ability you’d not yet seen - or discover a deeper meaning to a familiar Scripture passage - or, as a writer, find just the right word for the description you’re writing. 

Understanding can hinder discovery, in every area of life. When we’re certain we have things figured out and clearly understand our position, we don’t keep our eyes open or hearts alert. I don’t want that to happen with our writing gifts. Recently, I attended a webinar about children’s writing and, even though it's not a genre that interests me, discovering it as a possibility was energizing. Let’s not limit ourselves to a particular genre or style or project, but have ears to hear the Holy Spirit’s prompting and a curiosity that will test new waters.

Psalm 31:19 says, "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you."

Who knows what blessings lay in store for us? I don’t want us to miss a single one.

Take home thought: Let’s not decide what God wants for our lives and close our hearts, but discover the surprises He has for us along the journey.

www.thejusticeconference.com

www.thejusticeconference.com

May Meeting this Saturday

I blinked and it's the last week in April, which means our May meeting is here already.

Saturday, May 2

10 am - noon

We will meet as usual at High Mountain Church, but in the all-purpose room.

The entrance is at the back of the building.

Please see the website for directions.

Please bring work to critique (guidelines on website).

We will briefly discuss options for writing children's books.

If this is not a venue you're interested in, don't be deterred from attending.

I'm certain you will pick up tips and be inspired.   

Here are the Thoughts to Ponder from April's meeting.

Focus: Show, Don’t Tell, according to James the Apostle

Telling is the lazy writer’s way. It’s less creative, less costly, less inspiring than showing. This is true in writing and it is true in life.

     Easy: The cat contentedly sat on the old woman’s lap, both with closed eyes.

     Easy: I’m in the process of writing a book.

     Easy: I believe, I have faith in God and you should too.

     Hard, but better: She tucked a stray gray strand behind her ear and rested her hand on the purring        pet in her lap. Both closed their eyes, one in sleep, one in prayer.

     Hard, but better: Yesterday I wrote 500 words of chapter two. I plan to write 500 words, five days      a week… or 500 words a week… or… I sent a proposal to three publishers this week…

     Hard, but better: Walking, living, acting according to faith-based decisions. “Faith, by itself, if it is      not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:17.   “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will        show you my faith by what I do” (2:18b). “Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says”          (1:22).

Showing requires more thought and energy; more writing and rewriting; more doing, less talking.

The main goal of NJCWG is to write and to be read. Each month we encourage each other to write and persist and grow in excellence. So… keep on going on. Research, read, write, rewrite, submit, blog. You are a writer, write!

Take home thought: My writing, and my lifestyle, is best when I show, don’t tell.

Write for Him!

Barbara Higby

barbarahigbyhope.com