February 2012

Our February guild inspiration is from Alaine Sonnenberg:

I attended the American Christian Writers Conference in 2011 and learned a few key points from different speakers at the conference. I learned if I want my writing published, I need to give the editors what they want.

• Follow these simple steps to getting your work published:
• Make your work reach many people.
• Have your work show growth or have growth in the story.
• Know your audience.
• Make sure to follow the rules for entry.
• Always have your work polished and it’s very best.
• Send your work in! Don’t be afraid.

WRITERS CHALLENGE:
Write a devotional, short story or poem about light that is original and spiritually insightful. You may want to use the verse below for inspiration or others.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Thanks Alaine! Those are great reminders.

COMING UP: Our featured speaker for the February Guild meeting is our own Sandra Stanton, the brain expert who always has something great to share with us. Join us on February 14 for "TUNE IN AND TUNE UP YOUR BRAIN TO TURN ON YOUR WRITING." See the schedule for details.'

FEEDBACK GROUP: Meets for critique at 5:30 and the regular meeting begins at 7:00. Guests are always welcome and the first visit is free.

SPRING WRITING SEMINAR: Watch for details coming soon about our Spring Writing Seminar on April 11. Members will receive special pricing on registration.

Lord willing, we'll see you on Valentine's Day!

Blessings to you,
Michelle

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January 2012

Our January inspiration comes from Melissa Wiltrout:

It’s a new year! Many people celebrate the New Year by promising to change their lives in some way (usually for the better). I am not one of these people. Why bother, when I know I will never keep those promises anyway? But I do enjoy looking back and noting the positive changes that have come into my life. Unlike a resolution which I will soon break, I’ve found this practice brings me joy and fills me with thankfulness to God. For is it not He who brings about all the good changes in our lives? Psalms 40:5 says God has done so many wonderful things for us that if we would speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.

Writing Prompt: As you start off this new year, why not recall and write about some of the good things God has done in your life during the past year?

Thanks Melissa! That's a great perspective for starting the new year.

COMING UP: On January 10 well have Jane Jeffries speaking on writing short dramas. Many of the principles apply to writing short fiction as well, and all writers will find something to improve their craft when Jane shares her expertise. See the schedule for details.Feedback group will meet for critique at 5:30 and the regular meeting begins at 7:00. Guests are always welcome and the first visit is free.

The meeting will also include a devotional to start us off, a practical 10-minute writing boot camp, inspiration from one of our guild members in the "Your Turn" segment, and plenty of time for networking with other writers.

REJOICING: Remember, every month you have the opportunity to have us celebrate your writing with you. Bring your published pieces to share on the rejoicing table.

We're looking forward to kicking off the New Year inspired to write!

Michelle Rayburn

December 2011

This month's inspiration comes from LouAnn Binsfeld:

Can you see it?

It happened many times while reading my Bible that I tripped upon a passage that is woven together in such a way that it caught my imagination.  Here are some examples:

·         To the sea He said, you can only go so far

·         And the once empty hills were now filled with the angels of the Lord, ready to fight the battle

·         Behold a man sitting on a red horse in the midst of many horses riding to and fro over the face of the earth

·         Apples of gold in settings of silver

·         The wayward spirit will gain understanding

·         There we sat down and wept.

·         His hair was as wool, white like snow, eyes like fire, feet of brass, His voice like the sound of many waters, seven stars He held in His hand and out of His mouth went a two edged sword.

·         Nebuchadnezzar, my servant

 

Line upon line, precept upon precept, a story is built.  Open our eyes, Lord, remove the scales that blind us, that we may see the story hidden within your heart.

 

As you read your Bible, what story is God awaking in your heart?

Thanks, LouAnn, for those thoughts.

THIS MONTH'S MEETING: On December 13, we'll have our annual Christmas party. Don't forget to bring your story to read and a snack to share. We'll have lots of networking time and some lighthearted activities to get us in the Christmas mood. Feedback group will still meet for critique at 5:30.

REJOICING: Remember, every month you have the opportunity to have us celebrate your writing with you. Bring your published pieces to share on the rejoicing table.

BRING A FRIEND: This is your last chance to get a free book for bringing a friend and having that friend decide to join the guild. Guests can visit one time for free, so tell your friends about your favorite writers group and ask if they'd like to check us out.

Merry Christmas from the WWCWG Leadership Team!

Michelle Rayburn

November 2011

This month's inspiration comes from LouAnn Binsfeld:

I am a people person.  I believe that God has called me to encourage people in their walk with Jesus.   As I travel or just live each day, I watch for opportunities to visit with new friends, to hear their stories.  I want to listen with my heart.  I pray that God would break my heart with the things that breaks His.

Here are some people whose lives have crossed my path:

The woman walking – Jo is her name, a story of 4 marriages to 2 different husbands, now alone.  54 years of abuse.  Now at 72, she is reunited with her Savior.  This has brought peace and confidence but also the scattered seeds of broken relationships.

His hair is long, his clothing that of a bum, carrying an army pack and boots.  One more soldier on the Greyhound bus.  He left his 2nd wife to return to the war after being shot.  He buried his twin from the same war; the scars within are many and deep.

Once a small child, lost in a Walmart store, now an adult still fighting for freedom in all the wrong directions.

WRITERS CHALLENGE: hink about your pre-ordained meetings.  Engage in the lives of the people around you.  Care.  Is God breaking your heart with that which breaks His? Write about any of these topics – what has God put on your heart today?

 Thank you LouAnn for that great reminder.

COMING UP: November 8, Julie Bowe will speak on writing for children and about her journey as a writer. See the schedule for details.

 

FEEDBACK GROUP:  Come early at 5:30 on meeting night and read a portion of your piece out loud and receive helpful feedback. You can ask the group to be gentle if you're a newcomer, or ask for more critical feedback if you're ready for it. See the Feedback Guidelines for more information.

 

GUILD NEWS: We're in our fall bring-a-friend to guild challenge! If you bring a friend who is new to the guild and he or she decides to become a member, both your and your friend receive a free book from our give-away box. First time visitors get one free visit, so spread the word.

Also, don't forget to bring your published pieces for the rejoicing table this month.

CONTEST: The guidelines for our latest writing contest are online.

Blessings,

Michelle Rayburn

October 2011

This month's writer's challenge comes from Patti Nicholson:

Autumn is here!  The leaves are changing, daylight hours are getting shorter, and the temperatures are starting to fall.  Inspiration is all around us – in the colors of the leaves, in the children frolicking in the raked piles of leaves, and in the hustle and bustle of new activities. 

 

Writer’s Challenge:  Is there one season that inspires you more than another?  Write about which one and why.

Thanks Patti!

COMING UP: October 11 we'll have Susan Brill speaking on "BECOMING YOUR OWN BEST EDITOR". See the schedule for details.

 

FEEDBACK GROUP: Why not apply Susan's editing advice and put it to practice at the feedback (critique) group each month? Come early at 5:30 on meeting night and read a portion of your piece out loud and receive helpful feedback. You can ask the group to be gentle if you're a newcomer, or ask for more critical feedback if you're ready for it. See the Feedback Guidelines for more information.

 

GUILD NEWS: We're in our bring-a-friend to guild challenge! If you bring a friend who is new to the guild and he or she decides to become a member, both your and your friend receive a free book from our give-away box. First time visitors get one free visit, so spread the word.

Also remember our brand new meeting feature "Your Turn". This is your opportunity to share with us.You can read something you wrote, share something that inspires you as a writer, tell us your story of your journey as a writer...it’s your turn, so you get to decide how to use your 5-10 minutes!

CONTEST: The guidelines for our latest writing contest are online.

Blessings,

Michelle Rayburn

September 2011

In September 2001, I planned to attend my first guild meeting. At the time, I lived about 2 hours from the Eau Claire area and I knew it would be a late night, but I was desperate to connect with other Christian writers. That morning, I turned on the news while I was working around the house. The first plane had just hit the World Trade Center and the reporters had cut to live coverage for the breaking news. I watched the announcer’s reaction when the second plane hit while they were filming coverage of the first. By noon, I knew I wouldn’t be attending my first guild meeting that night.

 

It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years already since our country went through that tragedy. All of us were changed in some way by the event. Those moments that change us often inspire us most in our writing and many of us process our thoughts with our pens.

 

As we begin our 2011-2012 season of WWCWG, I’m thankful for the fellowship of other writers who can’t help but put their thoughts on paper. Writers who understand my crazy obsession with words. If you know someone who shares this same passion for words, be sure to invite them to the guild.

 

WRITING PROMPT: Think back to September 11, 2001. What were you doing when you heard the news? How did you respond when you found out about the attack? Write about how that event has changed you.

 

COMING UP: September 13 we will kick off the season with a mini conference called "A GENRE EXPLOSION". See the schedule for details.

 

FEEDBACK GROUP: Need feedback on your latest writing project? Come early at 5:30 on meeting night and read a portion of your piece out loud and receive helpful feedback. See the Feedback Guidelines for more information.

 

GUILD REMINDER: Have you been busy writing all summer? Don't forget to bring your latest published piece along for the rejoicing table. We want to celebrate with you.

I can't wait to see you all at the September meeting. Have a friend who hasn't ever checked us out? First time visitors get one free visit, so spread the word.

Blessings,

Michelle Rayburn

Summer 2011

We're counting down to the 2011-2012 WWCWG Season. Join us September 13, 2011 at Bethesda Lutheran Church when we launch the season with a mini conference. We have some great speakers lined up for fall. Watch for details on the site coming soon.

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