Saturday, June 01, 2013

Focus



Thoughts to ponder 

From the June 1, 2013 meeting


Productive, effective writing requires focus. Productivity & effectiveness in any arena requires focus.
A major challenge to maintaining focus is the vast array of choices begging for our attention. Many opportunities are good, but do they define our focus or blur it?
Paul tells Christians to “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor. 9:24). In other words, stay focused, don’t stray from the path. This is true for our faith, but it is also a principle for life in general.
I confess, I lose my writing focus too easily. I get stirred up when I meet with other writers, but I’m making too many choices that draw my focus elsewhere. As writers, with a gift & passion from God, I want us to make choices that will hold our focus on task, on our calling. The first step in making those good choices is to clarify our focus.
Focus will help us make choices that bear fruit. This is true whether we are working on a piece for a publisher or creating a personal blog. So ask yourself, “What is my focus? What has God put on my heart to do now? Next?”
This is our last meeting until September. How fruitful will our writing be over the summer? Will we actually submit that magazine article, short story or book proposal? Will we create, re-create or tweak our blog?
Prayerfully choose a summer writing focus. This may be a project, a genre, an area of  research, the submission you've been putting off. Then get specific, flesh out your focus with attainable goals. Make this summer fruitful. 
Take-home thought: Write in such a way to get the prize -- sharing truth & offering hope -- whether published or not.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

NJCWG Meeting: Saturday, June 1st - YOUR SUMMER FOCUS

Meeting: Saturday, June 1st
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
(optional Blogging Workshop: 12:00 - 1:00 pm)

High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd.
North Haledon, NJ

Productive, effective writing requires focus. This is true whether we are working on a piece for a publisher or creating a personal blog. So what is your focus? How fruitful will your writing be over the summer? Will you actually submit that magazine article, short story or book proposal? Will you create, re-create or tweak your blog? Discuss your goals & options with fellow writers at Saturday’s writers’ gathering. Be prepared to participate in our writing exercise by choosing one of the following topics:
     
  •      Miracles
  •      Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide
  •      O Canada The Wonders of Winter
  •      Overcoming Challenges
  •      Stories about Cats or Dogs
  •      The Dating Game
  •      Reboot Your Life
  •      Think Positive For Kids
                           -Future topics from Chicken Soup for the Soul

Saturday special: Pack a lunch and stay for a one hour blogging workshop. One of our own, Susan Panzica, will offer blogging tips and guidelines. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Next meeting - Saturday, May 4

We have a special guest presenting at this Saturday's meeting. Penny Musco, a successful writer for magazines, will share from her experience. If you wonder where to find markets for articles, want to know how to approach a magazine editor, or would like tips on conducting research, you won't want to miss this meeting. Not interested in writing articles? You will still be able to pick up writing pointers that will enhance your craft.

Hope to see you in the cafe at 10 am.

Friday, April 05, 2013

Next meeting - April 6, 2013


It's a "do-over" day! Since last month was hampered by illness and activities, we will cover our topic from March.

Please note that we will meet in the upstairs conference room, not the Cafe as had been announced.


FocusWriters write but, unless you've made a name for yourself, it takes more than writing to get published.
Come with a proposal or piece you want published and at least two possible publishers. If you have a copy of The Christian Writers' Guide (or a writing guide of preference), bring that as well. Our discussion will endeavor to fine tune our focus and bring us closer to publication.
Reminder, pieces to critique should be submitted by Friday morning. Please limit yourself to two pages, double spaced.
Write for Him,
Barbara

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Next Meeting - March 2 - 10 am

Focus

Writers write but, unless you've made a name for yourself, it takes more than writing to get published.

Come with a proposal or piece you want published and at least two possible publishers. If you have a copy of The Christian Writers' Guide (or a writing guide of preference), bring that as well. Our discussion will endeavor to fine tune our focus and bring us closer to publication.

Reminder, pieces to critique should be submitted by Friday morning. Please limit yourself to two pages, double spaced.

Write for Him,
Barbara

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Feb. 2 meeting: THE RULES

The next meeting of NJCWG is:
Saturday, Feb. 2
10:00 - 12:00.

Our topic will be the CRAFT of writing.
Are there set "rules" to follow?
Or are there just "guidelines?"

  • WHAT are they?
  • WHO should use them?
  • WHEN do you use them? 
  • WHY is it important to follow them?
  • HOW do you apply them to your writing? 


High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd.
North Haledon, NJ 07508
[upstairs conference room]



Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Next meeting - Jan. 5

Correction!
The correct date for Saturday's meeting is Jan. 5th.

Hope to see you there!


Sat. Jan. 5th
10:00 - 12:00

upstairs in the conference room at:
High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd.
No. Haledon, NJ




Monday, December 31, 2012

January Meeting

Happy New Year, Writers! May many uplifting words find their way to publication for the NJCWG in 2013.

Our next meeting is this Saturday, January 7,10-12:00, in the upstairs conference room.

We are privileged to welcome screenwriter Kevin Caruso as our guest speaker. He is best known to us as the son of Maude Pych, a longtime member of NJCWG, but he is known to others by his accomplishments in the bio below.

Please be encouraged to invite guests to this special meeting. We will begin promptly at 10.


Kevin Caruso’s screenplay THE RUT was a Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist and won the Cinestory Screenwriting Competition.  THE RUT is currently being packaged with director Karyn Kusama (GIRLFIGHT, JENNIFER'S BODY) with actress CHLOE GRACE MORETZ (CARRIE (2013), KICK ASS, HUGO), JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN (Starz Channel's MAGIC CITY, THE WATCHMEN, THE LOSERS) and RAY LIOTTA (GOODFELLAS) attached. 

He co-wrote the film I TRIED, featuring Hip Hip luminaries Bone Thugs N Harmony, for CodeBlack Entertainment.  The DVD went platinum, selling over 250 thousand units.

His screenplay EXPOSURES OF WAR received a perfect score and the highest monetary award ever from the New Jersey Council of the Arts.

In 2010, his “Southland” spec was the First Place winner in the Scriptapalooza TV Competition. 

Kevin is a graduate of William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. 

Kevin is currently repped by Joanne Wiles at ICM and managed by Scooty Woop Entertainment.

Friday, November 02, 2012

November Meeting Cancelled

Hello friends,
Some of us have power. Some do not. The church does have power and is available for anyone in need to sleep or to warm up. 

Since most of us are struggling to find gas, we think it best to not expend gas driving to the meeting. 

The next meeting will be our annual Christmas brunch on Dec. 1st at 10:00 am. We'll work out the details through emails to come. Until then, stay safe and warm! And use the "found" time to write!! 

Blessings,
Susan


Monday, October 29, 2012

Next Meeting - Saturday Nov. 2nd

Hi all! 
Hope you all weather the storm without incident! Right now, my house is among a few in my area who still have power. Thanking God for His ultimate power than calms storms! 

The next meeting of the NJCWG is this Saturday at 10:00- 12:00 at the newly renovated High Mountain Church. We are out of the gym and back upstairs! We'll be meeting in the upstairs conference room. Enter  through the side entrance. Proceed up the stairs, and go straight ahead. Conference room is last door on the right. 

The topic for this meeting is: Expanding on our Expertise.

Hope to see you all then! 
Susan

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Rules of Writing


Seen on facebook, this brought a smile to my face and conviction to my heart! 
Susan

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Note new meeting time this Saturday

Saturday, October 6 we will begin our new meeting time

10:00 am - noon

Clare will lead a discussion about writing techniques.

Please remember to submit pages for critique before Friday.
Kudos to you S. Jane, for your early submission!

Sunday, September 09, 2012

1000 words




Can you relate? LOL



Monday, September 03, 2012

A bit of humor... and meeting reminder



Wish I didn't identify with this so much! Hope you are all having a blessed and restful Labor Day. Looking forward to getting together this Saturday after our summer hiatus. 

Reminder from Barbara's last post:

Our September 8 meeting will focus on Revision & Self-Editing. We will meet from 2-4:00. Please be prepared to share your summer progress and new goals for the fall. Submissions for critiques should be submitted no later than the Thursday before we meet. They will be reviewed in the order they were received. (See guidelines.)

 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

September is coming

June's Take-home Thought from Psalm 139 was this:
Part of what God wove into us when he created us are the gifts he chose to give us. His expectation is that we will cultivate and develop these gifts and use them to bless others.

I hope you cultivated and developed your writing gift as you pursued your summer goals. We shared some lofty aspirations at our June meeting -- I am feverishly working to complete mine before we meet in September. Clare and Anne both had their articles about teachers accepted for publication, using their gifts to bless others.

You may recall that we decided to meet on September 8, rather than on Labor Day weekend. I hope that still works for everyone. I believe that Sr. Jane and Sr. Mary Jude are unable to attend on the 8th so we look forward to seeing them on October 6.

Our September 8 meeting will focus on Revision & Self-Editing. We will continue to meet from 2-4:00. Please be prepared to share your summer progress and new goals for the fall. Submissions for critiques should be submitted no later than the Thursday before we meet. They will be reviewed in the order they were received. (See guidelines.)

Write for Him,
Barbara


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Congratulations Clare!

Congratulations to Clare Cartagena!
Her "teacher short story" was accepted for publication at Write Integrity Press.
Kudos Clare, and keep pursuing that dream ;D 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

June meeting

Our next meeting is June 2, 2-4:00.
We will not meet in July, August is pending.

Please prepare your assignment with as much detail as possible:
Bring a written plan for your summer writing. Include goals & dreams, potential markets and a suggested writing schedule.

Critiques should be emailed to those on the list by Friday noon, June 1.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Next Meeting -

This Saturday, May 5 at 2:00

Susan Panzica will speak about "Writing to Today's Audience"



Thoughts to Ponder
From April’s meeting
 
O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old — 
 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the
praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Psalm 78:1-4

These verses tell us that we have been entrusted with truth—the mystery of the ages. It is our charge to reveal the mystery. We are to tell of the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, of His power and His wonders.

As writers let’s prepare ourselves to share this revelation of God’s truth in all venues, at every opportunity. We cannot limit ourselves to one effort, one project or one venue. We must be open and alert, ready for unexpected chances. 

I see us as sprinkling God’s wisdom and truth wherever we find opportunity

Monday, April 02, 2012

Meeting Reminder

April 14 is our next meeting since the first Saturday falls on Easter weekend.

Remember your assignment as previously posted!

Assignment: Look in a market guide for a periodical, anthology or web opportunity that holds possibility for you. Jot down thoughts, notes or a completed piece for that market. Be prepared to share the market and your notes/article at the April 14 meeting.

Saturday, March 03, 2012

Expanding our Horizons

 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” Those are the words from Proverbs 10:11 that we discussed last month. We ended with the challenge to ask God to flow from our hearts through our words and then to let our words flow.
Today I want us to ask, “Where?” Where would the Lord want our words to flow? Most of us have something on our hearts to write. This is good and should be prioritized. But is there more? Are we stretching ourselves? Are we using our gift to its fullest potential? Are there manuscripts, publications, avenues that we’ve not considered?
Prov. 31:26 says, “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” There may be “instruction” on our tongues that is so familiar to us, we are not aware of its value or potential.
Could God have more for us than we’ve considered?
Take-away thought: Are there new places, un-thought of places where God wants to flow through us? Ask Him.

Next month: April’s meeting will be the second Saturday, April 14, since the first Saturday of the month is Easter weekend.
Assignment: Look in a market guide for a periodical, anthology or web opportunity that holds possibility for you. Jot down thoughts, notes or a completed piece for that market. Be prepared to share the market and your notes/article at the April 14 meeting.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Join us Saturday, March 3, 2-4:00, and explore

Expanding our Horizons

Are there untapped resources hidden within? 

Are there opportunities not yet considered? 

Let's talk about it!

If you have a writer's guide please bring it.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Thoughts To Ponder


Thoughts to Ponder
From the February 4 meeting

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him," Jesus (John 7:37-38).
What does that look like—streams of living water flowing from us?
Christ is the outflow of a life filled with Him. Like refreshing streams, the Living Water tumbles from our lives, extending its blessing to others— generous, abundant, constant blessings.
What does this say to us as writers?
Prov. 10:11 tells us “the mouth [words] of the righteous is a fountain of life….” Our words are more than letters on a page. They are a fountain of life, sparkling with refreshment.
Take-away thought: Ask God to flow from your heart through your words and by all means, let your words flow.

~ Barbara

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Meeting - Feb. 4 - Release the Writer Within You!!

The next meeting of the NJCWG -


Saturday Feb. 4
2:00 - 4:00 pm


High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd.
North Haledon, NJ 07508


If you're a regular attendee who canNOT make our meeting, please contact Barbara or reply to this email. Thank you!


This month's topic: Release The Writer Within You! 


Receive encouragement to release the writer within.
Be prepared for a brief writing exercise and bring suggested topics you would like addressed in 2012.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Next Meeting - Sat. Jan. 7

Dear fellow scribes,
Let's start the new year off right!

Our next meeting (sorry for the last notice!) is tomorrow - Sat. Jan. 7th at 2 pm.
Same place:
High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd.
North Haledon, NJ 07508

Bring your goals for 2012!


Friday, December 09, 2011

Active vs. Passive Voice


One of my greatest struggles in writing is my bent toward Passive Voice. My husband says it's because I'm a passive person ;D Maybe that's it. Maybe it's because we're Christians, or just naturally polite, we'd rather say "I am loved by God." rather than "God loves me." OR "I was hoping that..." rather than "I hope that...." Just two quickie examples. I'm sure you can come up with many more. 

Here 2 posts from Grammar Girl to help us identify and overcome the Passive monster within. 

Active Voice:

Passive Voice:

Friday, November 25, 2011

December meeting - Note TIME CHANGE



The next meeting of the NJCWG is 
Saturday, Dec. 3rd 
10:00 - 12:00
681 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon, NJ


Our meeting will be a Christmas brunch


Please bring a 250 word Christmas-themed piece to share with the group. 










Food signups:
 - Orange Juice and Fruit Salad: Ann
 - Veggie Salad: Sr. Jane
 - Coffee Cake: Roberta
 - Potatoes: Clare
 - Quiches: Susan
 - Muffins, Bagels or Rolls: Barbara
 - Decorations & Paper Goods: Clare and Barbara

 - Salmon Mousse: Maude
 - Coffee: Debbie

If you weren't at the Nov. meeting to sign up and want to bring something,please just check the list above and fill in with whatever you'd like to bring.

Looking forward to being with you all on the 3rd!
Blessings,
Susan


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Query Letters

Jody Rein of Author Planet is writing a series about writing effective query letters for nonfiction books. She shares excellent information, and another post in the series is coming tomorrow. Be sure to check her blog at:
http://authorplanet.org/


Query letters.  Yet again.
Holy smokes there’s a lot of query letter advice out here on the World Wide Web.   
And like everything in information-overload-land, that’s good and bad–it’s terrific for writers to have easy access to models and thoughtful counsel, but at the same time I’m a little concerned about the stressing out I see–the agony over each detail in each query; and the stridency of the dogma.  As in, “All query letters must start with x, end with y, and never, never include Popsicles.” 
Query letters are crucial, don’t get me wrong.  And yes, each book pitch does haveto include some standard elements, like, well, the title of the book. 
But ultimately each letter is as individual as the book that is being pitched and the author who is writing it.  So rather than trying to fit your query into someone else’s mold, I suggest you sit back, take a deep breath, scribble out a quick rough draft, andthen ask yourself if you’ve achieved the following goals.  I’ll elaborate on each in future posts.



To read the rest of the post including Jody's Seven Goals for Query Letters, click here: http://bit.ly/rvTr05