Topics we'll discuss:
Write bite-sized pieces - Dig out the dormant - Explore possibilities
Opportunities for short pieces: stories, devos, blogs
Please note: Meeting locations alternate by month. Please email njcwgroup@gmail.com if you need directions.
NJCWG Meeting
Saturday, Oct. 1st @ 10a-12p
STARBUCKS, 816 High Mountain Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ
This is will our 1st open discussion style meeting. Whoever arrives first, please save a table for our group. The manager knows we are coming, and we can stay as long as we like, but they won't reserve a table for us. It's first come, first serve.
Discussion topic: Writers Block - is it real or a myth? Have you struggled with it? What are tips to regain momentum in writing? Bring your questions as well as answers! Let's motivate each other to take up our pens (or computers!) and start creating.
You may bring your work for critique (up to 2 sheets, double spaced).
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Prov. 27:17
(Starbucks is in Urban Farms Shopping Center. The Market Basket is in the front of the shopping center facing Franklin Lakes Rd. Starbucks is around the back. At the right end of the building.)
Our next meeting will feature author Ann VanHine.
Ann has been a member of this group, and in 2021, she published her memoir Pieces Falling. She says, "When I started my writing journey, I didn't even know what questions to ask. Today, I don't have all the answers, but I have sense of how to do this thing called being an author one little step at a time. May I share a few thoughts and tips with you."
Ann Clark Van Hine, aka Miss Ann, was born in Oxford, England but grew up in Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Ann is the mom of two grown daughters, the widow of a FDNY firefighter, a retired small business owner, a docent with 9/11 Tribute Museum, published writer, Children’s Ministries volunteer and a breast cancer survivor.
Since September 11, 2001, Ann has had numerous opportunities to share the story of God’s presence and peace as she navigated “a personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy.” She has shared her story all over the USA and internationally in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Japan.
You have time to start work on your 2022 goals and can report your progress when you share your goals at next month's meeting, February 5.
See you then, Barbara
Due to the holiday we're meeting the 2nd Saturday of the month.
Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff
In the Barn (2nd building on the right)
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,Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff
Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)
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
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)
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.
Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff
Upstairs in the Barn (2nd building on the right)
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...
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
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!
This Saturday, 12/5/20, we will meet in the corner house, located right before the barn. See you there at 10!
