May 21, 2019
Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Manitowoc Public Library
Franklin St. Room
                                      
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.
 
Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.      
 
Promises, Promises is our lesson this month.  Susan Marlene will share about the promises we make: to ourselves, others, publishers and maybe even the Almighty.

PROMPT: Promises, Promises. What is your favorite promise yet?

Let Susan Marlene know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you! susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com or post a comment on her website in the www.susanmarlene.com

​An inspired reader given excellent take-away = return readers!
We are a safe place to share and Pens Meetings are free.
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
 
 

Ever wonder how, why, or if you should share your writings beyond the boundaries of your desktop? Wonder how you can support your veracious thirst for conferences, research, and books of all sorts? I’ll share with you some new thoughts I’ve been turning over, because maybe they will work for you also.

SELL YOUR BOOK like WILDFIRE THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO MARKETING & PUBLICITY by Rob Eagar   Topic of discussion: CHAPTER 13

NEWSLETTERS: When for example:  monthly; be consistent—Tuesday or Wednesday around 2:00 pm. Or choose a time when people will be checking their email and are active online. Newsletters keep you connected with your readers and the goal is to be available and provide a useful and relative message.  

Here are some examples: Laura Frantz--she is a historical fiction writer. She includes a short personal note; photos of her books; giveaways; what is going on in her life and how she prays for her readers and how she appreciates them (that is always a great idea! For we all need prayer!) She offers perks for signing up for her newsletter: “Be the first to see my new book covers, writing updates, subscriber-only giveaways, and recipes straight from my kitchen. Plus, get my free guide 10 Beloved Books That Inspire Me Professionally and Personally. ( Newsletters sent monthly )” Other newsletters to take a look at: Amy Robnik Joob ; DiAnn Mills; James Scott Bell; Steve Laube You will find their newsletter sign up on their websites.
 
HOW TO WRITE SHORT STORIES AND USE THEM TO FURTHER YOUR WRITING CAREER by JAMES SCOTT BELL
Offering short stories to interest people who enjoy your type of writing can build your email list for your newsletters. This is my plan. I love the power and pacing of a short story and to offer this to a reader who wants my newsletter is a reward for me!

How to Make a LIVING as a WRITER by James Scott Bell
In chapter 13 “What You Need to Know About Marketing” James Scott Bell’s #1 strategy for marketing is quality writing. Don’t rush or cut corners on you writing skill.  As quoted from this chapter,’ “Mickey Spillane, once put it, “Your first chapter sells your book. Your last chapter sells your next book.”’  Bell provides a list of how readers pick authors on pages 128 – 129.
He suggests that he thinks a regular email is better than a fancy newsletter. Brief and personal with relevant information.  Each email should have a link to a new deal or reminder for an older one. Something amusing. 

How Do We Handle All of This Without Going Berserk?????

DREAM--I’ve read somewhere and have always believed that we should take timeout for ourselves to write something that makes us thrive and our hearts beat faster…children’s book, poem, devotion, Biblical short story—whatever engages your heart and jumpstarts your day!
​
Begin with Resting & Growing in the Lord, and here are some links that can help you do this: https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/  link on Steve Laube newsletter. (Examining your motivation.)  https://www.faithgateway.com/author/cheryl-wunderlich/ Author of Finding the Sabbath in the Everyday, Sacred Rest. 
​

WELCOME TO PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
(I couldn't resist sharing a photo of the signs of spring! :) Signs of LIFE this Easter week. )
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
 
Introductions for new guests.      
Pass around sign in sheet.
Thank you card for Faith Church.
Devotion by Pat Klein
Prompt Idea Interactive by Kathy Leist
Grammar Tidbit by Rebecca McLafferty
 
LET THE TEACHING BEGIN
​
EARNING YOUR WAY TO DREAM, EXPRESS, & WRITE    Susan Marlene will lead us into tweaking websites and exploring a doable newsletters and email lists.

PROMPT:  Beginning, New Beginnings or The End of That! You choose a prompt.

We will also allow 5-minute readings from our writers as time allows at the end of the teaching.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let’s Keep In Touch: If you have a WEB page, blog, social media address, or other online personal information to share with Pens writers, please send to susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com so that contact information can be added to the announcement and handouts.
Becky McLafferty writes on Thursdays for “Fill My Cup, Lord” (A FB page.)
Becky McLafferty https://www.beckymclafferty.com/
Susan Marlene  www.susanmarlene.com; 
Susan Fink https://www.facebook.com/susan.l.fink     https://susanlfink.blogspot.com/
Kate Jungwirth https://www.facebook.com/kate.jungwirth.7
Debby Erdmann https://www.facebook.com/debby.erdmann?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab
You are invited to visit and make a comment! That would be especially nice! 😊 

1. Mary Janes Farm magazine is looking for articles. Thank you, Kathy Leist!!!
2. I advertised Pens on  TheFamily.net WEMI  FM
3. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/recommended-reads/books-for-writers/ Thank you, Sue Fink
4. Write To Publish Conference   http://www.writetopublish.com/   June 19 – 22
5. Northwestern Christian Writer Conference  July 13 – 14  Saint Paul, MN   http://www.northwesternchristianwritersconference.com/
6. Christian Devotions is looking for devotions. This is not a paid site, but one to give to the Lord and share your message with others!   www.christiandevotions.us 
7. The Novice, Silver Lake College’s Symposium— three of our members are represented with this publication with art or reading. You are all invited to come! The release will be from 3:45 – 4:30 on Thursday, April 25th, as part of Silver Lake College’s Symposium.  This is a public event – please feel free to come early and check out presentations by other Silver Lake students!
8. http://www.hemingwayapp.com/; https://www.paperrater.com/
9. https://www.christianpublishingshow.com/  (Pod cast from Steve Laube Agency)

REMEMBER:
Inspired reader = happy reader + excellent take-away = return reader!
God’s rich blessings to you as you write for His glory!

​PENS OF PRAISE
CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
April 16, 2019
Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Manitowoc Public Library
Franklin St. Room
                                      
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.
 
Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.       
 
EARNING YOUR WAY TO DREAM, EXPRESS, & WRITE is our lesson this month.  Susan Marlene will share information gleaned from well published writers on how to earn an income as a writer. Resource books on this important topic will be examined.

PROMPT: Beginning, New Beginnings or The End of That! You choose a prompt.
Let Susan Marlene know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you! susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com or post a comment on her website in the www.susanmarlene.com

An inspired reader given excellent take-away = return readers!

We are a safe place to share.       Pens Meetings Are Free
​
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
 
 

Greetings All,      
                                                                                     
Starting this April, Pens of Praise Writers will meet at the Manitowoc Public Library! The third Tuesday of the month still applies and there is no charge to attend our group. We have a slight adjustment for the time, instead of the 6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.  we will now meet from 6:00 p.m.—7:45 p.m. and our reserved room is the Franklin St. Room located on the first floor, to the left of the service desk.

Faith Evangelical Free Church has hosted our writers meetings so kindly for so many years. If you wish to give this church a free will offering as a thank you for their hospitality and generosity, that would be welcomed and appreciated. (This is not expected though.)
 
Pens of Praise Christian Writers Group – Free Event
Manitowoc Public Library
Franklin St. Room 
707 Quay St, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Street parking and parking in rear available. Wheelchair accessible.
 
Third Tuesday each month
6:00 p.m.—7:45 p.m.

Excellence is respected—even expected for publication, but bloopers are not welcome.  I have unfortunately offered my fair share of bloopers during the submission process.  Let’s look over some ways to add professionalism to our writings and increase their acceptance and circulation.
​
Through the course of this past year we have visited many topics: goal setting, library resources, finding your best idea, the value of conferences, how to write endings, write your desired message and more. Applying these guidelines, tools, and skills will aide us significantly in our efforts to earn a living as a writer or publicly minister with our particular gift of words.

Once you chose your topic, target audience, and compete the project, I advise every writer to slow down. Let your piece rest—rather like one allows their bread dough to rise. So often eagerness to complete our projects quickly causes us to pass over mistakes or areas that lack quality. I personally have written prose or lessons that made perfect sense as I wrote. When I’ve read those pages at a later date, I wondered what I meant by this statement or that one. Ouch!

I’ve seen many encouragements for authors to finish their novel and leave it alone for a couple of weeks before diving in for the big edit. That allows your inner “eagle eye” to switch on, preventing boundless bloopers from directing your work to the rejection pile. I’ve been amazed at how I’ve ignored or not applied excellent advice from well-published authors. Of course, I go around the mountain a few times and find myself right where I started. Finally, I take the advice and use it while wondering what took me so long! (Be careful here, there are different genres and types of writing. Bad advice is out there—unintentional misdirection is costly to your spirit and submissions as well as your time. Be discerning and take time to look at writings that are similar to yours, but are published in order to get a balanced view of expectations for your market.)

Show that you are able to meet deadlines, while gaining experience by doing smaller articles, devotions or projects. This provides credibility and gives you a win, win, win for all the benefits you can enjoy such as: honing your skills, making connections, ministering with your message and possibly gaining some income!

Let’s take a look at the Christian Writers Market and the Writers Market publishing helps.
Now let’s try an internet website I was told about that could be quite helpful to us all. Special thanks to Miss Lee, the teacher I work with. She shared these useful websites for our group!

http://www.hemingwayapp.com/

• This website provides the grade level of your work. The color codes point to the weak spots you may choose to edit. You don’t have to make the changes it suggests, but this will add new eyes on your words that will make you aware of what an editor may not wish to wade through.

https://www.paperrater.com/

• Free online grammar, plagiarism and spelling checking site.

Consider what you have learned as you edit what your muse spilled on the pages of your manuscript or writings. Remember:

• Slow down
• Don’t ignore advice from professionals
• Submit the small stuff that is related to your writing goals

 

​PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
March 19, 2019
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church
2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220
   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods
   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43
 
EAGLE EYE OR BOUNDLESS BLOOPERS is our lesson this month.  Susan Marlene will direct this class concerning tools and skills to make professional writings for publication. Resource books on this important topic will be examined. Bring paper and pen or your computer for the writing exercises.

An inspired reader given excellent take-away = return readers!
​
PROMPT: Use your favorite genre to write a one-page piece on spills or spillage!
Let Susan Marlene know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you!
We are a safe place to share.
 
Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! J
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com
 

UPPING YOUR VERBIAGE & WRESTLING A THESAURUS by Susan L. Fink 
Thank you Susan for your timely lesson and skill at leading this very useful lesson! My mind is still running over your assignments and words of wisdom! 
Anyone can visit Susan L. Fink at:  https://susanlfink.blogspot.com/
                                                                                   
WELCOME TO PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
 
Introductions for new guests.
Pass around sign in sheet.
 
PENS OF PRAISE STATEMENT OF BELIEF:
Pens of Praise Christian Writers Group is a fellowship of word-loving communicators who provide encouragement, education, and listening ears to those writing clean and encouraging communication. We support the development of skill, attention to detail, and professionalism necessary to obtain personal and public publication. We are a group not limited by age, so even very young writers are welcome. We support Christian values and therefore do not share sex or overtly violent scenes, which would not be in keeping with Christian values concerning entertainment or enlightenment.

WRITER’S PRAYER
(by Rebecca McLafferty)
 
Dearest Father God,
 
I come before you this day with thanksgiving, knowing that you are here with me.
I pray that you will use my writing to glorify you. May my words, both spoken and written, honor you. When I am unsure of what to write, encourage me, Lord. May your love, peace, and hope shine through my writing to touch lives—even the lives of those who don’t know you. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
 
Devotion—by Naomi Raddatz
 
GRAMMAR TIDBIT:
HYPHEN VS. DASH  hyphen (-), en dash (–), and em dash (—)
By Rebecca McLafferty
 
Let the teaching begin!   
UPPING YOUR VERBIAGE & WRESTLING A THESAURUS
Susan Fink will direct our class this blustery month of February. Susan will provide information about interactive writing with information about excellent resource books on this important topic.

Remember, leaving your reader inspired with an excellent take-away is like an open invitation for your reader to return! We will also llow 5-minute readings from our writers as time allows at the end of the teaching.

PROMPT:  Use your favorite “Big Word” and write what you please! ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Let’s Keep In Touch: If you have a WEB page, blog, social media address, or other online personal information to share with Pens writers, please send to susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com so that contact information can be added to the announcement and handouts.
Becky McLafferty writes on Thursdays for “Fill My Cup, Lord” (A FB page.)
Becky McLafferty https://www.beckymclafferty.com/
Susan Marlene  www.susanmarlene.com; 
Susan Fink https://www.facebook.com/susan.l.fink     https://susanlfink.blogspot.com/
Kate Jungwirth https://www.facebook.com/kate.jungwirth.7
Debby Erdmann https://www.facebook.com/debby.erdmann?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab
You are invited to visit and make a comment! That would be especially nice! 😊 

1. Mary Janes Farm magazine is looking for articles. Thank you, Kathy Leist!!!
2. I advertised Pens on  TheFamily.net WEMI  FM
3. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/recommended-reads/books-for-writers/ Thank you, Sue Fink
4. Write To Publish Conference   http://www.writetopublish.com/
5. Christian Devotions is looking for devotions. This is not a paid site, but one to give to the Lord and share your message with others!   www.christiandevotions.us 
6. The Novice, Silver Lake College’s Symposium on April 25th

 

​What do you like to find on-line?

• When people have a question, many will search the world wide web for their answers. Many will look for an author’s website or blog before purchasing a book. Maybe a topic of interest is what you write about. When we use social media responsibly, we assist people we more-likely-than-not will never meet this side of heaven to find information or encouragement or guidance to make life easier or more meaningful. When considering what you like to find on-line you may discover what you want to provide for others.

What about time?

• Pacing ourselves and managing time spent on social media is vital. Otherwise social media will eat up quality writing time. Using social media to minister to others is a great target to aim for. I find it helps to look at social media outlets as opportunities to encourage and share what knowledge and wisdom God has blessed me with.
• I’ve strengthened my presence on FaceBook and my website. I still need to build other social media and increase my online presence. How? Restricting my time by allowing myself only 7-10 minutes per additional media locations. Even twice a week would bring more exposure for my message. That way I can post and share other people’s posts without it eating up my whole day and my writing time.
• Let’s talk over ideas on using the unique time slots we have that can fit with all of our different situations and demanding schedules. Write down any fresh ideas.

What’s the Plan?

• I’ve heard and read the suggestion of starting one or two social media connections. Then once those are established, branching out as time allows. If you start too many at one time then your effectiveness is diluted concerning reaching people and sharing the message of your heart.
• How many here wish to make a decision for starting social media or branching out with a pace that will not undermine writing time or other social media already started?

Content?

• Knowing ‘your message focus’ will help immensely. If you talk about everything from dog food to WW II ships to future spaceship launch possibilities, your readers will not connect with you. Focus on offering help or information to readers who like what you like. Examples: cooking; healing from a damaged past; exercise for cardio; excellent vacation spots and how to afford them—you catch my drift, right? My inkyquillbysuzie.blogspot.com is just like that. I was all over the place with subjects. Now on my website www.susanmarlene.com I offer different pages such as: Book Review & Author Interview; Devotions; and Writers & Pens along with the home page and my information page. This allows potential readers to see what I offer for their particular interest. If the last thing they need to read is about writer and Pens information they can just pick book reviews or devotions. They are in and out without having to scan through a lot of posts that they would not be interested in. And which they wouldn’t take the time to sift through.
• Do you want to jot down some ideas for your own blog or website now? Share if you dare!

Who Will Benefit?

• Write to lend a hand to others. Build readers up or provide info that will bring increase

and strength to them. Your focus may be prayer, healthy family living, humor, or gardening. All of those benefit readers. Make sure your information counts. Is what you write important enough that you would carve out time from your busy schedule to stop and read it—if someone else wrote it?

• Write a description of the people you write to. Even put a face on them like Aunt Sally or Uncle Ben so that you can truly focus on those you write for.  😊

Precautions to take:

• As with conferences and businesses or school functions, behave wisely with how much information you share about your home and family. We live in a time when we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as a dove. There are many innocent inquiries about you and yours, but there may be those with less honorable reasons for contacting you. Stay away from any appearance of evil. The Lord’s scripture from the Bible is for our protection and for your reputation as well as Christians in general.  What is that saying an ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure. Well, something like that anyway! Be very cautious and discerning about meeting people you don’t know at a physical location. Listen to that nagging caution when you get a ‘feeling’ that you shouldn’t go here or there or provide personal information.

Getting help to start…

• Sometimes, you just may not know where to begin. Asking for help from a high school or college student or relatives or friends can be a great place to start. If you take good notes on how to change your passwords after someone helps you set-up your social media, you will maintain ultimate control and personal information privacy.

Do you have a plan for reaching the masses with social media? Which of the following interest you?
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest
YouTube
Blog or Website

PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
January 15, 2019
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Faith Church
2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220
   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods
   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43
 
Brick by Brick – Building Social Media is our lesson this month.  Susan Marlene will direct this class of social media tips. How to start and grow in your social media reach. Susan will provide information about some popular how-to books on this important topic. Also, reading-share-time allotted for those who attend!

Pens Assignment: For Fiction and non-fiction writers wishing to participate with reading their work: Edit your pages and share a scene or selection infused with purpose- who, what, where, when, and or why.

Remember, leaving your reader inspired with excellent take-away is like an open invitation for your reader to return!

PROMPT: Use at least three of these words to create your prompt—nullify; annihilate; praiseworthy; promise; pledge; sympathy; future; imminent. Or write to this: My word for 2019.

Let Susan Marlene know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you! 

We are a safe place to share.
 
Bring your favorite coffee or tea with you! 
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact Becky McLafferty @ rebeccamclafferty@gmail.com or
Susan Marlene@ susanmarlenewrites@gmail.com