January 28th, RCWW Monthly Meeting

Richmond Christians Who Write

"Write the vision, and make it plain..." Hab. 2:2

12114 Walnut Hill Drive
Rockville, Virginia 23146
Telephone: 804-749-4050
FAX: 804-749-4939

E-mail: mailto:RichmondCWW@aol.com
Blog: http://rcww.blogspot.com/

Rev. Thomas C. Lacy
Founder - President

Barbara Baranowski
Membership

Marie Corso
Advisor

Michael Rew
Blog Master

January 24, 2007

JANUARY MEETING RESCHEDULED: JANUARY 28TH

JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING: Note change: Meeting Room 219

Our next meeting will be January 21st, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Grove Avenue Baptist Church. NOTE: Enter the rear entrance on the Parham Road side of the building. Look for the elevator on your left, go to 2nd floor, turn right getting off the elevator, go to Room 219.

SPEAKER: Tom Lacy: Memoirs, Compilations, Packagers

Our previously announced speaker, Karen Hannon, owner/developer of a new faith-based web site in Richmond, SpotlightRichmond.com, is out of the country this week and will not be able to speak to us until our February 18th meeting. However, in a subsequent post, I will outline a writing opportunity that was to be a part of her presentation. Look for my post on the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) contest.

A current popular trend in the writing/publishing business is the need for content-driven rather than author driven material. This gives unknown writers of pertinent subjects a greater advantage in becoming published.

Many in our group are writing memoirs and devotionals. I will show how these can be marketed to publishers and packagers.

PLANNING SESSION 4:00 to 5:00

From time to time I've asked for in put from the group regarding the needs you have as writers. I meet periodically with a small group for this same purpose. And I appreciate the suggestions/recommendations.

"Tom, we don't have any suggestions because we're satisfied with what you are doing."

"Tom, RCWW is one source of information and encouragement for me; I don't expect RCWW to meet all my needs. It is neither possible, nor necessary for you to try to do this."

Thanks, folks for those kind remarks. However, I often feel I am not doing enough to help writers write and get published. It may be I'm guilty of focusing on what I'm not providing for RCWW and missing what is being done effectively through our cooperative work with one another.

One of the most effective things RCWW has offered, I and others believe, is the Marble Moving program. (See details in 1/14/2007 January Meeting Notice.)

Two areas I feel RCWW is the weakest revolves around critiquing and meeting the needs of our poets. On Saturday, April 14th, we will have a half day poetry workshop. Details follow regarding this event.

In the meantime, please think on these matters and bring your ideas and suggestions to our January meeting (in writing if possible).

APRIL 14, 2007 POETRY WORKSHOP

This poetry workshop will be held April 14, 2007, from 9:00-Noon. Our speaker/instructor will be Florence Rosie Givens, local author, editor and publisher of three books of Poem Collections.

(Specifics to follow.)

2007 Meeting Schedule

Here are the remainder of the dates for 2007:
Feb. 18
Mar. 18
Apr. 14 Saturday half day poetry workshop
May 20
June 10 Second Sunday. to avoid Father's Day
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 19-20, Friday & Saturday possible writers conference, or Sunday Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.

Normal Monthly Meeting Format (unless otherwise stated)

2:00-2:15 Sign In and Fellowship
2:15 Opening Prayer
2:15-2:45 Introductions and Announcements
2:45-3:45 Speaker or Workshop
3:45-4:00 Refreshments and Fellowship
4:00-4:55 Speaker/Workshop or Critique Session (Announced Monthly)
(Bring 20 copies, typed, double spaced)
4:55-5:00 Closing Prayer

DUES

Dues, in the amount of $20.00 will cover membership from January 1st through December 31, 2007. They may be paid at our monthly meetings or mailed to: Richmond Christians Who Write, 12114 Walnut Hill Drive, Rockville, VA 23146.

WRITERS CONFERENCES

If you know of writing conferences, workshops or any events of interest to writers, please send me complete details so the information can be passed on to our members.

February 15-18, 2007
Jerry B. Jenkins, Christian Writers Guild: http://www.ChristianWritersGuild.com

March 9-10, 2007
Kay Walsh, Shenandoah Christian Writers Group: jsparrow474@yahoo.com

March 16-17, 2007
American Christian Writers Conference: http://www.ACWriters.com/

March 1-4, 2007
Florida Christian Writers Conference: http://www.flwriters.org/

I look forward to seeing you on the 28th. Bring your ideas. Bring your commitment to be a Marble Mover. Bring a writer friend.

In His Service,

Tom