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2019 Write to Publish provided wonderful connection and information. In my opinion this was the most enlightening conference that I have ever attended. My focus this year—to learn as much as possible about Social Media. The teachers were professional and skilled and quite patient with us. Michelle Rayburn, I’m thinking about how you helped me right now! Many thanks.
If anyone is interested in learning about the business of writing, how to write, and meeting those who enjoy assisting others to hone their skills, then this is your go-to conference. I wish to extend special thanks to Lin Johnson and her right-hand lady Jane Rubietta for their tireless work and sacrifices so that others can learn and grow their skill sets and take advantage of opportunities to meet agents and editors as well as numerous writers who understand that need to express thoughts and stories. Also, I'm so grateful for the numerous writer friends from the past and of course the new ones too! You all make the conference shine for me!
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WELCOME TO PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Introductions for new guests. Pass around sign in sheet. Devotion—by Pat Klein LET THE TEACHING BEGIN The Page-Turner’s “Secret Formula”, How to Write a Book That’s Hard to Put Down. Sarah Grosskopf will lead us into the mysterious hook that makes a novel a must read. PROMPT: Varying Tension Imagine that tension or excitement falls on a scale from 1 (dead boring) to 5 (edge of your seat exciting). While writing, you have a “tension meter” that goes from 1 to 5. Write a five-line poem or five-sentence story with each sentence set at a different level of tension, following the pattern 3-2-1-4-5. If time allows, 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’d like to share a WEB page, blog, or social media address, 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! 😊
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 June 18, 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. The Page-Turner's "Secret Formula"; How to Write a Book That's Hard to Put Down is our lesson this month. Sarah Grosskopf will share quotes and secrets that can stir up interest for your readers in your writings. PROMPT: Varying Tension Imagine that tension or excitement falls on a scale from 1 (dead boring) to 5 (edge of your seat exciting). While writing, you have a “tension meter” that goes from 1 to 5. Write a five-line poem or five-sentence story with each sentence set at a different level of tension, following the pattern 3-2-1-4-5. This week let Sarah Grosskopf know if you will attend so that we can provide a printed lesson for you and also save a seat for you! sgrosskopf92@hotmail.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  This past month my computer broke down leaving me in the lurch concerning just what I would do for our Pens of Praise Christian Writers meeting lesson and handouts. Peace settled over me. Ideas began to thrum. In the meantime, was I able to use the tablet section my Surface computer to upload my manuscripts to the Google drive and email myself a bunch of my work. Still, I couldn’t print any of my writings and I couldn’t create any new documents. Since inspiration comes to me as I begin typing, that was a problem. A few ideas for the lesson developed, after all the title for this month was Promises, Promises. I definitely had to deliver! I’d promised.
Still peace reigned in my heart and a small spattering of ideas flowed. Once the meeting began, I gave a very short blurb after the usual introductions, Grammar Tidbit by Rebecca McLafferty, and this month’s spur of the meeting request for Pat Klein’s partial chapter read in place of the devotion. We prayed and I passed out magazines on writing for all to pick an article and share or give a summary of. We discussed the topics and everyone was elated! The magazines I’d handed out were CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATOR and WRITER’S DIGEST and all the articles read that night were useful, informative, and encouraging. Success came with very little effort from me. WHERE WE MEET: Getting together at the Manitowoc Public Library has been such a blessing and a treat. Faith Free Evangelical Church was ever kind and accommodating for our meetings, but the library is so much closer for many of our Pens members. If you have an interest in writing memoirs, short articles or stories, or large fiction and or non-fiction you may find the support and encouragement that you need by attending our meetings. You may always write to our prompts. PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP 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! 😊
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/
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Words are not just words. They are thoughts and inspiration that have been behind every relationship and every deed--good or bad throughout time. If you have that burning desire to communicate and explore, come peruse my pages, teachings, and short stories. Allow inspiration to anchor your dreams on the written pages of memoirs, devotions, poems or stories, both short or long! Luxuriate in the creativity you were born to share! Archives
May 2019
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