Meeting this Saturday

 NJCWG meets October 2

10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

Come, write with us! 

Join other Christian writers who are published or want to be.

You will receive tips, participate in writing exercises, and find encouragement to press forward with your writing goals.

I look forward to seeing you Saturday,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Meeting September 11

We're back! 

September 11, 10 am - noon

Don't miss the first meeting of the season.

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

Note a room change for this month only: 

We'll meet in the white house on the corner, not in the Barn. 

Our discussion will include:

• Writing goals for the fall & progress made over the summer - No progress? No worries, that's why meet, to spur each other on.

• Passive voice misuse

• Memoir vs. autobiography

See you next Saturday,

Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Final meeting of the season

 

June 5, 10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

Upstairs in the Barn, but it's possible we'll meet outside
so check the sign on the door

We're taking a summer break so this will be our last meeting until September. Come for a dose of writing inspiration and be prepared to share your summer writing goals.

Hoping to see you on the 5th,
Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Meeting this Saturday

 May 1, 10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)

Now is the season for our writing to blossom.

Come and be encouraged on your writing journey, whether you're a newbie or a veteran writer.

Members, our scheduled topic (Web Wisdom) is postponed. You're invited to bring questions or discoveries to share and, as always, your work for critique. 

I look forward to seeing you Saturday,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Next meeting: April 10

Due to Easter we are meeting the second weekend this month.

Saturday, April 10, 10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)

Topic: Get your Name in lights Print

Our discussion will center around the significance of getting published in periodicals. We'll look at opportunities and consider where our words could be a fit.

Novice & published writers are welcome.

Members are invited to bring work for critique (2 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt.)

Hope to see you then,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Meeting this Saturday

 

It's All About You

You are the subject of this month's NJCWG meeting!

Saturday, March 6, 2021

10am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff 

Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)

What is your current writing struggle? Get it out of your brain and onto the table to benefit from fellow writers' feedback and suggestions. Dividing our time between attendees, you will have the floor to ask questions, bounce ideas, or share challenges. 

Published authors and writing hopefuls are invited. Members, bring your work for critique.

Hope to see you Saturday,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Image by Christian Dorn from Pixabay 

February's Focus Point

Give the Seedling Life

You know how it starts—a seemingly random thought pops in your mind and peaks your interest. You begin turning it over and discover various implications. It has your attention and reappears at odd moments. Someday you’ll attend to it, record a few impressions, and investigate it a little further, but not today, not now. And then… it’s gone! Some hint of the idea may make noise, but the initial excitement is past.

We can shrug it off and appease ourselves with, “If God really wants me to write about this, I will remember”—or—we can talk to Him about it before it’s a misty memory.

We should not be overawed with our own brilliance and think every thought is gold to be refined, but as Christian writers we have more than a creative imagination working for us—we have a God who shares His thoughts with us. Ps. 25:14 says, “The Lord confides in those who fear him….”

The Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of Jesus’ words (John 14:26) but we are also taught to test the spirits and prophecies and seek wisdom from above. We pray, weigh it against the Word, and seek input from others.

Your idea may or may not be a God-thought, but don’t let it die from neglect. Honor it by testing it out.

Take-away thought: Recognize that a new train of thought may be from God and then proceed with a balanced approach that both respects it and tests it.

Meeting this Saturday

 Don't let the cold keep you away!

Saturday, February 6, 2021
10am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff 
Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)

What writing topics have you been toying with lately? You know, the 1 a.m. flashes of inspiration, the brilliant thoughts in the shower, or long car ride brainstorms. Let's huddle together (socially distanced, that is) and kindle those inspirations. We'll break out of what I call the Covid Funk Mode and get some words on paper - right then and there! Bring writing materials and an eager attitude.

Published authors and writing hopefuls are invited. Members, bring your work for critique.

See you Saturday,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

January's Focus Point

Be Faithful

We will be sharing writing goals today but we're not in a very inspiring season. I have found the beginning of the new year quite disheartening...  

• With the pandemic spike, my son's group home is in a renewed lockdown and he's not permitted to leave. The world is reeling from imposed restrictions. 

• The confusion and unrest in our country still reverberates from the election - in both political parties. 

• Then, of all places to start a new year, I felt the Lord directing me to Ecclesiastes. “Meaningless! Meaningless! …Everything is meaningless.”

• And, perhaps the most devastating, I learned yesterday of yet another Christian leader’s moral failure.

Amid such desolation and depravity, how am I—how are we—supposed to think about goals? As I prayed about this I heard one word: Faithful.

Nothing in the news alters the fact that God is faithful to His people. And nothing excuses us from being faithful to Him.

The goals we set are not for our personal progress as much as they are acts of faithful devotion. We offer them openhandedly, agreeing with Proverbs 16:9 that we plan our course, but the Lord establishes our steps. We’ve all experienced God’s redirection, detours, and scenic diversions. Routes may vary, but what doesn’t change is the expectation that we will be faithful—to God, to truth, to those He’s put in our lives—and faithful to use our gifts for Him.

1 Corinthians 4:1 says, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

With all that transpires around us, with diverted paths and disappointing delays, we are to be flexible but faithful to what God uniquely, personally puts on our hearts to do.

Take-away thought: We are faithful to God and diligent to pursue the goals He places in our hearts—in that order.

January Meeting

 

JANUARY MEETING

Please note: this month, we will be meeting on the 2nd Saturday - January 9th. 

The meeting will be UPSTAIRS in the Barn. Masks are required throughout the meeting. 

Please bring clear, measurable writing goals for 2021! 

Meeting location change

This Saturday, 12/5/20, we will meet in the corner house, located right before the barn. See you there at 10!

Meeting this Saturday

December 5, 10am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

I hope you've been working on your assignment: 

Write a 100-word story to share. 

 

Also, food has traditionally been a part of our December meeting so you are invited (not required) to bring covid safe snacks, meaning individually wrapped or bagged, not on a platter. 

Once seated, masks are not necessary if you are socially distanced.
Visitors are welcome, whether novices or published writers.
Critiquing will be available for members.

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Image by Pixaline from Pixabay

Caution: writing assignment ahead

At our last meeting, I assigned a writing project for December and I want to give you ample time to complete it so here it is:

Write a 100-word story. 

(Yes, you can!)

We will share our stories at our meeting on December 5.

Here are two links to inspire you:

Reader's Digest

Clare, a former member

Also, food has traditionally been a part of our December meeting so you are invited (not required) to bring covid safe snacks, meaning individually wrapped or bagged, not on a platter.

So get busy and I'll see you in December,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

November's Focus Point

Alike but Different

We are a diverse group meeting here today—not only because we have different personalities, strengths, and weaknesses, but also because our backgrounds, experiences, and positions in life are distinct. No two of us are the same, but we are alike. We have like interests because we’re all Christians, we all love words, we all pursue truth, and we’re all gifted to write. But, even in our sameness we are different—we’re unique in our writing voice, our genre, our specific audience, our passions. 

Eph. 4:15 says, “Speaking [writing] the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of … Christ.” The next verse tells us that Jesus joins us and holds us together by every supporting ligament … as each part does its work.

Last month we said it takes a tribe to write a book. It also takes a tribe to reveal truth. God’s wisdom and ways cannot be explained by one voice. As we each uniquely do our part to express truth, together we present a glimpse of God, His heart, His kindness, His beauty, His sovereignty.

Today we’ll be discussing what sets our work apart from others and how it is similar. Are there authors who have already said what we’re laboring so hard to write? Yes. But they’ve not said it in the same tone, or the same words, with the same emphasis, and perhaps not to the same audience. For readers who are encouraged by our words, our writing is important. To paraphrase Clare’s blog (a former member) our small audience is worth writing for—pouring out our passion will give us a life that is full, rewarding, and deeply appreciated by the fortunate few who have become our circle of friends. For them, what we produce is priceless—a smile, a tear, a laugh, an inspiration, a direction, an answer.

Take-away thought: Our voice uniquely speaks truth, blending our story with others to reveal a picture of God’s will and ways.

Next meeting is November 7

 Saturday, 10am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

Once seated, masks are not necessary if you are socially distanced.

Seasoned writers and novices are welcome. 

The Focus Point below tells you what we're about.

We're on this journey together. 

Topic: How to Write a Good Book Description, part 2

Join the discussion of these four A's:

• Accolades - boast a little

• Attachments - connect with familiar works 

• Appeals - touch the emotions 

• Actions - offer a clear path to purchase

Hope to see you Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

October's Focus Point

Spur on another on...

Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) tells us to spur one another on to good works. What does this mean for a group of Christian writers? I submit this paraphrase: Spur one another on to good words. The writer of Hebrews tells us we spur one another on by meeting together and encouraging one another, hence, our North Jersey Christian Writers Group.

We spur—urge, encourage, stimulate, goad, prod—each other. We do this first by recognizing the good work each one is trying to accomplish in our individual goals and projects. Secondly, we help each other focus our writing, hone our skills, and persist with our passion.

There is truth to the African proverb, It takes a village (or tribe) to raise a child. In our case, the proverb crafts today’s take-away thought.

Take-away thought: It takes a tribe to write a book.

Meeting this Saturday

 October 3, 10am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

Once seated, masks are not necessary if you are socially distanced.

Novice writers and experienced authors are invited. 

This month's topic: How to Write a Good Book Description, part 1

This is important for marketing, but having this nailed down helps us in the writing process

keeping us focused and sharpening our writing.

If you have a book in process, already published, or living in your head, 

bring a concise description and we will brainstorm to make it better 

- or - 

simply come and add your input on someone else's description.

Members are invited to bring two pages for critique. 

Please remember the guidelines posted on our webpage.

Hope to see familiar and new faces this Saturday!

Barbara 

barbarahigby.com

September's Focus Point

Word Power

Two notable truths found in the book of James offer wisdom for us as Christian writers. The first is faith without works is dead and the second is James' discussion of the power of the tongue.

We can talk about writing endlessly, sharing ideas and lofty projects, but unless we are actually writing, we are not writers—we’re thinkers. The second truth is what I want to talk about today—the power of the tongue. James is not referring to the appendage in our mouths but the impact of the words that come from the tongue. He goes into depth about their power to destroy, but they also have the power to give life.

As writers our words can give hope, bring joy, and stimulate faith. We are able to educate, encourage, enlighten, and entertain. We know words can do that because we’ve read books and articles that have done that for us.

We also know the importance of crafting those words in ways that will best accomplish their purpose and impart life, which is why we talk about the skills and techniques, grammar and editing. We study these things in order to empower our writing, to offer words the Spirit can ignite in the lives of our readers.  

Take-away thought: If you want to be a writer, write—and write well to give the world words of life.

Next meeting: Saturday, September 12

Due to the holiday weekend, we will meet the 2nd Saturday in September. Same place, same time.

10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

This is our agenda:

• Focus point
• Editing exercise
• Marketing Minute
• Critiques

Novices and experienced writers are welcome. Please come with a mask - once you're seated the mask is optional as long as you are distanced. Members, bring your work for critique! 

I hope to see you there,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Ready for a meeting this Saturday?

August 1, 10 am - noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

2nd floor of the Barn (2nd building on the right) 

Why? Because...

How ever busy you've been, whatever you've accomplished (or not), we're writers... so let's get together and talk. It will be an informal summer meeting where you can encourage others and receive encouragement on your writing journey.

Please RSVP so I can request a room change if there are many of us. We want to be able to socially distance ourselves.

Members, bring something for critique (following the guidelines on our web page).

Looking forward to seeing you again,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

No meeting in July

Sorry, folks, we won't be meeting this month, but KEEP WRITING!

• Tentatively plan on an informal meeting on August 1 - just a time to connect & share. Be sure to bring something for critique!

• We'll be up and running on September 12 (2nd Saturday due to Labor Day weekend).

You have a gift - you have a computer - you'll never have the time - so write now!

Blessings to all you creatives,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com 

address correction

Please note the corrected email address for NJCWG below.

MEETING REMOTELY JUNE 6, 10 AM 

Image by Jagrit Parajuli from Pixabay 

Story—the long and short of it

Whether it's a long rendition in a memoir, or a short anecdote in an article, our stories have merit—when they're effectively told. Enter the discussion on Zoom this Saturday. 

Join the meeting: If you've not received an invitation to join, please email Susan at [corrected address] njcwgroup@gmail.com and she'll send you a login link.

Critiques: members are invited to submit critiques by 6 pm Thursday evening. Nothing will be accepted later. Please follow guidelines on our web-page. 

Hope to see you online,

Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Join us on Zoom

Meeting remotely June 6, 10 am 

Image by Jagrit Parajuli from Pixabay 

Story—the long and short of it

Whether it's a long rendition in a memoir, or a short anecdote in an article, our stories have merit—when they're effectively told. Enter the discussion on Zoom this Saturday. 

Join the meeting: If you've not received an invitation to join, please email Susan at njcwg@gmail.com and she'll send you a login link.

Critiques: members are invited to submit critiques by 6 pm Thursday evening. Nothing will be accepted later. Please follow guidelines on our web-page. 

Hope to see you online,

Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Let's meet remotely

This Saturday, May 4 at 10 am. Are you in? 

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

Apparently, it's child's play...

But we do need to send you an invite to log in

so please email Susan at njcwg@gmail.com

and she will include you as a participant.

Hope to see you online,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

No meeting in April.

We hope to meet in May, but it may be June - I'll keep you posted. 

Last month's Focus Point is below. 

Market, write, research - keep your vision alive!

We may not have retreated to the era depicted in this image, but we've certainly slowed down.

Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay 

I hope less demands on your time means you're writing! Honestly, I'm have difficulty getting motivated. I'm keeping up with my blog and wrote an article for Tri-State Voice (here), but when it comes to my writing project I've not done much more than open the document. But that's yesterday. It's a new day and, with rain in the forecast, I will write. There, I've made myself accountable!

Kudos to Bob for asking me about some periodical markets. How about you? Shake off the lethargy, flex those fingers, and commit your brilliance to the page.

Be a blessing,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

April's Focus Point

Let’s Talk about… Marketing Wisdom

Marketing seems to be the Achilles heel of many writers, at least it is in this room. We suffer from lack of knowledge, lack of direction, lack of courage—perhaps all three. Our discussion today will open a variety of possibilities and trigger many good ideas. What will we do with them? How will we sort through them and decide which avenues are right for us?

As I maneuver through the marketing labyrinth, I’ve depended on Isaiah 48:17:

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, 

who directs you in the way you should go.” 

I look to the marketing experts—and there are many, with many methods and inspiring ideas, but I cannot and will not implement them all. The incredible blessing for us as Christian writers is the promise of James 1:5:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, 

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

In the governing of our lives, the exercise of our writing, and the necessity of our marketing, God will give us direction and wisdom.

Take-home thought: I will glean from the experts but follow God’s direction for what is best for me.