NJCWG meeting - Sat. Feb. 3rd @ 10am

 

NJCWG Meeting

Saturday, Feb. 3rd @ 10a-12p

STARBUCKS, 816 High Mountain Rd., Franklin Lakes, NJ

This will be an 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. 

You may bring your work for critique (up to 2 sheets, double spaced). 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Prob. 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 facing High Mountain Rd.)

Our first meeting of 2023

Meet with us this Saturday
January 7, 10-noon

Be prepared to jump start the new year with a writing exercise. 

As usual, members are invited to bring their unpublished pages for critique. 

We look forward to seeing you,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

NJCWG Meeting - Dec. 3rd

 

NJCWG Meeting

Saturday, Dec. 3rd @ 10a-12p

STARBUCKS, 816 High Mountain Rd., Franklin Lakes, NJ

This will be our 2nd 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. 

You may bring your work for critique (up to 2 sheets, double spaced). 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Prob. 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 facing High Mountain Rd.)

 

NJCWG, November 5, 10-noon

Get your Words out There

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.

See you Saturday!

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

NJCWG Meeting - Sat. Oct. 1st

 

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.)

Last Meeting of the Season

June 4, 2022

10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

We meet in the Barn, 2nd building on the right.

Be prepared to share your summer writing goals. 

Aspiring writers and published authors are invited.

Members, please bring pages for critique.

Come with ideas & leave with encouragement,

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Meeting this Saturday

Don't miss it! We have only 2 more meetings before summer.

May 7, 2022

10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

We meet in the Barn, 2nd building on the right.

Saturday's topic: 

Self-, Hybrid, or Traditional Publishing?

We'll explore our publication options in a discussion led by member Susan Panzica. Not ready to publish yet? The information will benefit you for future publication plans. 

We welcome anyone with an interest in writing, both aspiring and published authors.

Members, please bring pages for critique.

Hope to see you this Saturday,

Barbara 

barbarahigby.com

Meeting this Saurday, April 2, 2022 @ 10 am

April 2, 2022

10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

We meet in the Barn, 2nd building on the right.

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. 

Our next meeting is Saturday the 5th

 

March 5, 2022

10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

We meet in the Barn, 2nd building on the right.

This promises to be a colorful meeting! Our writing exercise will be to create a really short, short story with a color theme you select. How many ways can your color describe something without using its name? 

Do not scoff! Do not cower! Two of our members recently had stories accepted for publication that were birthed during one of our writing exercises. 

Come and grow with us, whether you're a published writer or simply a dabbler. 

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Our next meeting is this Saturday

 

February 5, 2022

10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

We meet in the Barn, 2nd building on the right.

Come prepared to share your writing goals for the first half of 2022. Together we'll hone them and encourage your success. Years of shared goal-setting has proven that clarity of goals and definition of next steps is critical to progress. If you're new to the group, you may not yet have clear goals - bring your dreams.

We welcome visitors - novices, dabblers, and published writers.
Members are encouraged to bring two pages for critique.

Hope to see you this Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Cancelled

Due to illness, our meeting scheduled for this Saturday, January 8, is cancelled. But don't think this let's you off the hook! 

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

Our next meeting is January 8

  Due to the holiday we're meeting the 2nd Saturday of the month.

January 8, 2022
10 am-noon

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

Be prepared to share your writing goals for the first three months of 2022. We will help you hone them and encourage your success. With years of shared goal-setting we've learned that clarity of goals and definition of next steps is critical for moving forward. If you're new to the group, you may not yet have clear goals - bring your dreams. 

We welcome visitors - novices, dabblers, and published writers.
Members are encouraged to bring two pages for critique.

Hope to see you on the 8th,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

We're meeting this Saturday

 

December 4, 10am-noon

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

In celebration of Christmas, be prepared for a simple writing exercise. Since snacks have traditionally been part of our December meeting, you are invited (but not required) to bring simple finger food to share.

We welcome visitors, whether novices, dabblers, or published writers.
Members are encouraged to bring two pages for critique.

I hope to see you Saturday,
Barbara
barbarahigby.com

Meeting this Saturday, 11/6

 

Meeting this Saturday, 11/6

10 AM - NOON

Cornerstone Christian Church, Wyckoff

In the Barn (2nd building on the right)

If you love writing you are welcome, whether you're a published author or a novice writer. Come, visit and see if we're a fit for you.

At Saturday's meeting we'll focus on our Amazon Author Pages.

• If you have a book on Amazon, please check out your author page ahead of time and print it out. Go to your book and click Author Central.
• If you don't have a book out there yet, practice. What could you say on your author page? 

Come, write with us, 

Barbara

barbarahigby.com

Image by Patrik Houštecký from Pixabay

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.