Meeting this Saturday

March 4, 10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff,

in the Barn (red building to the right after entering)

Saturday's topic:

GENRE

Image compliments of edla519michellemoulton.weebly.com

Genres are comfortable and challenging. They carry freedom and limitations. Join the conversation about stretching our areas of expertise. Please bring a recent copy of The Christian Writers Market Guide, if possible, and at least one suggestion for submission to a periodical, contest, or anthology (other than Chicken Soup). 

Seasoned writers and writing hopefuls are all welcome.

Hope to see you Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigbyhope.com

February's Focus Point

The Point Is… In a Nutshell… Finally…

Today we will talk about aphorisms, those clever statements that speak volumes with a modicum of words. I had fun looking through New Testament letters to discover the use of what can be considered aphorisms, though I never thought of it that way before. They are not the author’s last words but fall near the ends of the letters and concisely summarize what the writer had more fully explained earlier. This is what I found:

“Finally, …rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” (2 Cor 13:11)

“Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (Gal. 6:17)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” (Eph. 6:10-11)

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” (Phil. 3:1)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” (1 Thess. 4:1)

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (2 Thess. 3:1)

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Pet. 3:8)

Take home thought: Be concise, clever and creative to present a memorable nugget of inspiration.

Story Callout

Heaven Sightings

From James Stuart Bell:
 

You may recall my role as editor for story collections such as: A Cup of Comfort, Extraordinary Answers to Prayer, Love is a Verb, and a number of books related to Angels, Miracles, and Heavenly Encounters.  I am now compiling a story volume for Bethany House Publishers with a working title of Heaven Sightings: Angels, Miracles, and Glimpses of the Afterlife.  In the past six “supernatural story” volumes I have compiled the focus has been on events and circumstances that had a supernatural element demonstrating God’s power.  In this volume I want you, the writer, to share how there are actually real slices of heaven in this life.  It’s not the wonderful natural phenomena we experience but the supernatural happenings that take place from time to time as God so designates. Heaven really does touch earth, as alluded to in one of my earlier titles.  Heaven plants itself here in the form of miracles, angels, and even near-death experiences.  We find it also displayed in dramatic healings and gigantic answers to prayer where nothing else can account for it.  This volume will contain a rich mixture of these stories.  I am especially looking forward to experiences of heaven itself, primarily found in near-death encounters with angels and the afterlife. We’ll consider original, unpublished stories of up to 2,000 words and they must be at least 1,000 words.  The stories should have a creative title, an attention-grabbing introduction, main body with a conflict or challenge, and a clear, satisfying resolution.  They need to be descriptive, rooted in time and place, with a realistic portrayal of the characters involved. They also need to be substantive stories rather than mere testimonies or teachings, and the focus should not be just on the supernatural realm alone, but rather the spiritual lesson learned.  Please include a personal biography of 30 words or less at the end of each manuscript. We will have a rolling due date for the manuscript until we receive our quota of stories but would appreciate your submission within a month of receiving this email.  Please send your manuscript attached to the e-mail rather than pasting text in the email window.  Send your manuscript in normal manuscript formatting in Times New Roman, 12-point, with your full contact information--name, address, phone number, and e-mail address at the top of the first page.  We are offering a one-time fee of $50 for stories 1,500 words and over, and $25 for stories under that word count.                           We will send you contracts upon the publisher’s acceptance and would need them back promptly.  Payment will be made after all contracts have been received.  Please direct all inquiries and manuscript submissions to my colleague, Jeanette Littleton, at supernaturalstories2@earthlink.net.  If this e-mail has been forwarded to you, and you can’t submit to this call, but would like to hear about other editorial needs as they arise, please send us your e-mail address and we’ll add you to our notification list. Blessings to you and yours, James Stuart Bell For updates you can also join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/993320770756877/

Meeting this Saturday

February 3, 10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

in the Barn (red building on your right as you enter)

Saturday's focus:

The Point Is… In a Nutshell… Finally…

Image compliments of Zazzle.com

How aphorisms add clarity, define purpose, and assist memory.

aph·o·rism \ˈa-fə-ˌri-zəm 

Bring one or two writing samples, such as a blog post, for our discussion of aphorisms and their value.

Our group encourages experienced and novice writers. You are invited to check it out and see if it's a fit for your needs. 

I hope to see you Saturday,

Barbara barbarahigbyhope.com

January's Focus Point

Joy in Writing

When I was a child I learned the secret of joy in the form of an anagram—J-O-Y: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. But long before it was contrived as a cute anagram, Jesus spoke it as profound truth. Quoting from Deuteronomy, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

This sure-formula for joy in life, also gives us joy in writing.

God first. Every creative thought, sudden illumination, and golden truth we discover is not original, but comes from God. It is His call, His gift, His message, and His inspiration that speaks to our hearts and draws us to our keyboards. When we are mindful of that, we are focused, motivated and energized—we have purpose that transcends personal recognition, a meaningful hobby, or hopes of a paycheck.

Secondly, think of others. How often are we reminded to think “reader first?” If we’re not writing for readers, we can simply journal. Journaling is easy, communicating is work, but love for others will incite us to action. It will propel us to take the time and make the effort to write, and write well for the benefit of our readers.

The third aspect of the equation is you. The fulfillment, satisfaction and—yes—joy that is ours when God is first and others are second cannot be found any other way. When I put myself first, I never have enough, am not good enough, and can’t be satisfied. The biblical order is the way to fulfillment.

When I respond to God’s inspiration and use His gifts to bless my readers, I experience joy in writing.

Take home thought: When it comes to writing, glorifying God is my reason, enriching others is my goal, and joy is my reward. 

Need inspiration? Find it this Saturday!

Kick off 2018 with a dose of writing inspiration at NJCWG's first meeting of the year.

January 6, 10:00-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff,

in the Barn (red building on the right as you enter)

Saturday's Focus: The Joy in Writing

We will share our writing goals for 2018 and discuss the hindrances that hold us back, as well as the joy that propels us forward.

Published and novice writers are invited. Find encouragement for your writing endeavors.  

Barbara

barbarahigbyhope.com

Image compliments of thepreachersword.com