Schedule

SCHEDULE for 2009-2010

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009	FALL KICKOFF MEETING: "MINUTE WRITE: A MINI-CONFERENCE FOR WRITERS" Four seasoned writing professionals offer practical advice and hands-on instruction in this mini-conference setting.
OCTOBER 13, 2009	Songwriter DAVID HANVELT shares his experience from writing songs, to translating his song lyrics into devotionals, and compiling them into his new book, Kickin' Up Gold Dust: Celebrating Life in Christ... Now and Forever! released in August 2009 from Harbinger Books. David has often been called “Wisconsin’s premier gospel songwriter.” In his new book, he has selected thirty-one of his favorite songs to lead readers on a spiritual journey. This unique devotional is an inspiring mix of song lyrics, pertinent Scripture passages, personal stories and tidbit testimonies. David is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He has worked as a stock broker, real estate broker, technical college instructor, construction manager and residential architect. He has been an author and gospel songwriter for more than twenty years, with over one hundred recordings of his songs by various artists; some landing on the national radio charts. David and his wife, Sally, have one child and three grandchildren. They live in Eau Claire.
NOVEMBER 10, 2009	Playwright and author KAREN HURD presents "WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION: The Pitfalls and Pleasures." Karen will discuss the challenges of accuracy and meeting existing relatives' approval, along with the need for writer's license in writing historical fiction. You'll come to appreciate the benefits of making history come alive. As Karen says, "The past steps on the heels of the present!" Karen Hurd (www. karenhurd.com) is a writer of historical fiction, religious plays, nutritional books and articles. She writes a weekly column ("On the Heels of the Past") for the Augusta Area Times/Tri-County News. And is the author of seven historical musicals. As a full-time nutritionist in Fall Creek, Karen has published two books: And They Said It Wasn’t Possible (ISBN 141208212-9) and The Bean Queen’s Cookbook (ISBN 978-1-4269-1683-0). Her third nutritional book, The Cowboy Diet, swill be out in 2010.Karen's first full-length historical fiction novel features the original settlers of the Augusta, Wisconsin. In her spare time, she writes and directs drama and music.
DECEMBER 8, 2009	CANCELLLED DUE TO WEATHER-Merry Christmas to All! CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. We've missed gathering to celebrate so we're bringing the tradition back. Join us for an evening of food, fun and fellowship as we remember the reason we do what we do! The evening will include sharing from guild members inspired by some of the great classic Christmas hymns. Join us!
JANUARY 12, 2010	CHRISTMAS REVISITED! In December, we cancelled because of the weather, But we still dearly wanted to gather together To celebrate, laugh and enjoy one another Because we're a group not quite like any other. Bring the Christmas hymn pieces you worked hard to write, We'll share those and the contest winners too on that night. There'll be goodies to eat and time just to chat And get to know others--you KNOW we like that! So join us in January for a Christmas revisit! (That's not against any law anywhere, is it?)
FEBRUARY 9, 2010	MICHELLE RAYBURN "THE WRITER'S CHECKUP" Are you overwhelmed by the writing bug you caught at WWCWG? Worn out from feverish bouts of creativity? Plagued by a lack of focus? Come prepared to do some self-analysis and examine your discipline as a writer. Michelle will talk about creating a God-honoring spiritual environment that protects the gift He has given you. She’ll also give some creative ideas for establishing a constructive physical environment for writing including an organized workspace, and accessible tools and resources. Finally, we’ll explore how to simplify your emotional environment by setting priorities and creating boundaries in your life. It’s just what the doctor ordered for the busy writer. Michelle www.michellerayburn.com is a WWCWG member and she has written for Focus on the Family, Christian Communicator, Victory in Grace, and she has a monthly column in Wisconsin Christian News. She has an M.A. in Ministry Leadership with a pastoral counseling emphasis.
MARCH 9, 2010	MONICA HOLTZ "LOW-COST and NO-COST WAYS to MARKET YOURSELF and YOUR WRITING" Children's author and publishing consultant Monica Holtz is the owner of Holtz Creative Enterprises www.holtzcreativeenterprises.com a contract book publishing business in Eau Claire, and is the author of "Emily at the Zoo," a children's book about Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls that was published in October 2009. Monica has been a writer and editor for more than 30 years. She worked as a journalist and editor at several daily and weekly newspapers in Wisconsin before starting her book publishing business in 2005. As a contract publisher, she helps people publish books of all types and offers one-on-one assistance with book editing, layout, design, and printing. She also offers marketing advice based on her research and experiences. This year she has been busy participating in storytimes and book signings for “Emily at the Zoo,” and she is working on two new children’s books.
APRIL 13, 2010	SANDI STANTON "BRAIN COACHING FOR WRITERS" This session will help us all to "tap body and spirit to max our minds," as we learn and practice spiritual, physical, mental and social strategies that boost creativity and beat writers’ block. Sandi will share fun facts about the brain and will have us breathing, laughing, and moving, and priming those brain connections for our best writing. Sandra Sunquist Stanton MS, NCC, LPC (www.ourbrainbuddies.com) has studied the brain for 25 years and teaches Brain Coaching to educators, parents, seniors and students. A professional school counselor for 25 years, she served on an Air Force Base in Germany, elementary, middle-school and high schools in Wisconsin, and was invited to set up a guidance program in Kunming, China. A charter member of the WWCWG, Sandi lives in Eau Claire with her husband and yellow lab, Bogey. With the help of her nine grandchildren, she’s writing children’s books, yet to be published.
MAY 11, 2010	CYNTHIA RUCHTI "WRITE AS IF IT MATTERS" Write as if it matters. Little known secret? It all matters. From grocery lists to epic novels, from get well cards to Bible commentaries, from a note in the church bulletin to a bestselling series, everything we write matters to the God who invented words, to the readers who need them, and to the writer who coaxes them from the depth of his or her soul. How do we sustain the belief that our writing matters while we're waiting for the "evidence"--for the contract or kudo or reader mail? Tag along on the faith journey of a writer who's still learning how. Taking multi-tasking to new heights (or depths, depending on your perspective), Cynthia Ruchti makes potato corn chowder for her husband of 37 years, loves on her three kids and five grandchildren, writes and produces a daily radio broadcast called THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME, edits and writes for the radio ministry magazine Backyard Friends, writes devotionals for TheChristianPulse.com, is the current president of the 2,000-member American Christian Fiction Writers, and in 2010 will see the release of her debut novel--They Almost Always Come Home by Abingdon Press--and a Christmas collection novella--A Door County Christmas. She writes stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark, but she gave up knitting, counted cross-stitch, sewing her own clothes, naps, and dusting baseboards a long time ago. You can find her at www.cynthiaruchti.com or in the kitchen, brewing herself another cup of tea. (They Almost Always Come Home will be available for sale at the meeting).
PLEASE NOTE:	While we make every effort to adhere to this schedule, there are times when TOPICS or SPEAKERS MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. And, since we meet in Wisconsin, there are times when weather causes us to cancel altogether. If we must cancel, we'll notify WWIB and WHEM radio in the Chippewa Valley by noon on meeting day. Thanks for your understanding!