How To Arrange for Speakers
Don't know any published
authors, or speakers in your area? Attend author's events at your local
library's or arts center. Watch for church events featuring speakers who also
are writers, or experts on related topics, such as motivation, ministry,
inspiration, and prayer. Don't dismiss your local newspaper for gleaning a
journalist who can give tips on interviewing. Check area schools for teachers
who have published, or who have writing degrees in some area. Think about
retired inspirational or motivational preachers, evangelists or missionaries in
the area. What about an expert in organizing files or acquiring discipline?
Ask and Be Generous How do you get people to speak to your
group? Ask them. Many will be happy to make an appearance at no charge, or just
for a love offering. Some of these are willing to speak, for nothing more than
community contact or to promote books they've written. Some people are willing
to speak as part of their ministry.
Be generous to all who speak at your meeting. Make them as welcome as you can.
Arrange to have enough in your treasury to ensure a set amount, in the event
less is collected that day. These speakers are certainly warranted the travel
expense and the time it takes to prepare material for you. For those who do
require a fee, be sure that it is collected before the event. Set aside an amount
from your treasury for insurance. Give your members plenty of time to plan and
ask for definite attendance numbers.
About Critiquing
The desire to include critiques
sessions in a generalized group varies greatly. The experience helps new
writers gain confidence. It seems those critique groups that work best, are
those designed for that purpose only. When I put the question to other writers
in groups, all answered that a critique is needful and desired. However, some
went to spouses and friends, while others agreed that the voices and opinions
of several in a group setting was very beneficial.
Writers who are asking for help for multiple pages need to develop a long-term
working relationship with someone who has an understanding of the work, of
their goals and has time to commit to it. Nevertheless, it should be offered.
One suggestion is that a critique session be held separately, in addition to
your scheduled general meeting. There are also many e-groups who can handle a
critique on individual basis. Elaine Colvin Wright of the Writer's Information
Network has many tips for both writer's groups and critique groups at
www.bluejaypub.com/win The Bible says we should exhort and encourage one
another, and that we are to be accountable.( I Thessalonians 5: 12,13,
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 ) Getting someone else's opinion of your work and hearing
it in different voice is important in finding how your intended audience will
see and hear it. Here are some ways to accomplish this.
More
advanced writer agrees to help new writer in any area pre-arranged. Must be
committed to what might be a ministry.
Do’s
and Don’ts
5.
Do
encourage participation.
6.
Do set a
time limit
7.
Do listen
courteously to work read aloud
8.
Do offer
two positive comments for every minus.
9.
Do offer
specific comments, not vague compliments.
10. Do be sensitive (Eph.
11. Do offer ideas for improvement.
12. Don't pressure or coerce participation.
13. Don't expect the same results from both
beginner and advanced writers.
14. Don't explain why you wrote what you did.
15. Don’t ever attack a person's thesis, doctrine
demoralize or argue points.
16. Don't overly-focus on grammar and
mechanics.
17. Don't take criticism personally.
Look for these Critiquing
Elements
Resources for Conference and
Workshop Information
Here are a few resources you may
want to bookmark and use.
Shaw Guides lists many
conferences and workshops by date, location, and type with all contact
information: http:www.shawguides.com/writing/
Christian Writers Market Guide
by Sally Stuart lists numerous Christian conferences and contact numbers. Here
are a few:
American Christian Writers Conferences across the US www.ecpa.org/acw Colorado
& Greater Philadelphia with Marlene Bagnull mbagnull@aol.com Mid-Atlantic
CWC www.Chrisitansupersite.com/writer Write-To-Publish Conference
www.WTPublish.com How to Establish a Christian Writers Group by April
Boyer can be ordered in a print, paper booklet for $5 plus $2 shipping and
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Co. Rd. 995 Ashland OH 44805 “mail to:oboy@bright.net” April Boyer © 2001