Writing with Believers

When my aunt came home from her first day of kindergarten she said, “Whew, I’m glad I’ve finished school.”

By now we know that learning never ends, and that’s especially true for the craft of writing, but finding reliable sources for that continuing education can be difficult. Sometimes we need inspiration from an outside source or a connection with other writers to remind us that we’re not on this journey alone. 

Joining a Christian writing organization can give us the boost we need along with friends that share the same world view.  Of course, we would like everyone to join FCCW, but time and distance constraints prevents that so an online or nationwide group may be the answer. Here are some examples:

American Christian Fiction Writers provides education, inspiration and connections with a mission to promote Christian fiction through developing the skills of its authors, educating them in the market, and serving as an advocate in the traditional publishing industry. 

American Christian Writers offers annual conferences and mentoring retreats across America, a huge selection of writers' books and seminar tapes and CDs, and correspondence classes.

Faith, Hope and Love, a faith-based chapter of Romance Writers of America, encourages fiction that glorifies God and promotes Biblical principles, a tricky proposition in the sex-driven world of romance. 

FaithWriters provides an opportunity to develop your skill by writing to topic, word count, and deadline in their weekly challenge. There are four proficiency levels to reward beginners as their skills increase.   

Pentalk Community brings Christian and secular writers together to share ‘all things writing’ with reviews, tips, marketing, news and resources. 

Take a little time today to research these groups and others to see who best meets your needs as a writer and forge new friendships.

Writing Successes

I love to write about the successes of our writers!  And, at FCCW we’re fortunate to have two hot commodities. 

Jaye Cherie launched her debut novel, “The Gold Digger’s Club” on January 3 of this year.  Hope you’ve gotten your copy, because as of March 27 there were only 1500 remaining.  We’re eagerly awaiting her second novel, which we know will do equally well. 

Linda Rondeau has received a contract from Trestle Press for her second novel, “America II”.  Look for it to come out this summer.  And she has a publisher ‘very interested’ in her third novel. 

It’s contest season and Dalyn Woods has entered her novel into two contests hoping to catch the eye of an agent and/or publisher. 

Kirk and Adam are busily working on their projects and bring us new material to critique weekly.  Hey guys—you better catch up with the girls!

We’d love to see what you’re working on.  So, dig through the sweaters and shoes in the bottom of the closet until you find the box, dust off that manuscript and bring it in.  We promise to be kind. 

The Benefits of Belonging

We are First Coast Christian Writers, an independent 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization who meets for the purpose of supporting each other in the attainment of our writing goals. 

But we also have a Big Daddy. No, I’m not being sacrilegious; I’m referring to the Florida Writer’s Association.  The FWA pulls all the various writing groups in Florida together and helps us connect with other writers across the state.   As an individual member ($45/year with discounts for multiple years) you receive:

o    Quarterly issues of The Florida Writer magazine

o    Monthly issues of FWA eNews

o    One link to their websites on the FWA website

o    Reduced advertising rates in The Florida Writer magazine

o    Access to members-only online discussion forums (to come)

You are also eligible to:

o   Attend the annual FWA Conference

o    Enter the annual Royal Palm Literary Award Contest

o    Be published in The Florida Writer magazine

o    Participate in local Writers Group discussions, critiques, and learning opportunities

o    Participate in book signings, critique groups, promotional events, and mini-conferences

o    Take leadership roles as officers, regional and group leaders

o    Access to the FWA Network, a private social networking site where members can
make personal and professional connections to support their writing careers

I encourage you to visit their Web site and seriously consider joining this organization. 

FCCW Names New Officers

President – Lynn Rix

Lynn is a seventh generation Floridian. She preserves a little piece of Old Florida on the three-acre homestead she shares with her husband of more than 20 years, her grandmother, mother, two cats and fish of varying number.

She has written numerous articles on Northeast Florida history and politics, devotions, and humorous essays on dementia care giving. She has climbed the rankings in the Faithwriters challenges and entered the Genesis and Touched by Love contests for unpublished novelists. 

She is currently editing her first novel, a romantic suspense aimed at Harlequin’s Love Inspired line. 

Vice President – Kirk Rainer

Kirk is an engineer with more than twenty years of experience primarily in aerospace and defense. While able to continue his profession (in some degree), H. Kirk Rainer has also been embroiled in the never ending consequences of no-fault divorce and parental alienation— the details of which are reflected in his books, Websites (alwaysfather.com, hkirkrainer.org), and other developments. Support organizations include: American Coalition for Fathers and Children (acfc.org); Alabama Family Rights Association (alfra.org); Protect Fathers' Right (protectfathersrights.org); National Father Initiative (fatherhood.org); Institute for American Values (AmericanValues.org); and the Florida International University (FIU), "The State of Fatherhood" research.

Secretary/Treasurer – Tracy Redman

Tracy served as president for two years.  Under her leadership FCCW changed venues from Christ Church in Mandarin to the Wesconnett Library on the Westside.  We immediately saw growth and revitalization of the group. 

Tracy has lived in many foreign countries and draws from a rich well of life experiences in her writing.

She is studying mental health counseling and working on a devotion book for those experiencing the pain of divorce. 

FCCW Author Linda Wood Rondeau Debuts

Three lives intertwined, tied together by dangerous circumstance and the faint echoes of an elusive hope.  To make it through, each must find their way to the Light that's found only on the other side of darkness. 

After setting out on a forced vacation, and literally running into a moose, Manhattan Assistant D.A. Samantha Knowles finds it's not so bad being stranded in a quirky, but intriguing Adirondack town.  But when her three-year prosecution against a convicted killer begins to unravel, she's thrust into a whirlwind of haunting memories, fear, and danger...and suddenly, Haven isn't so safe, after all. 

With no future in Haven, and no way to escape the small town, teacher Zack Bordeaux fears he's doomed to a life of mediocrity.

Haunted by the deaths of his wife and son, landscape artist Jonathan Gladstone feels bound to an estate he both loves and loathes.

When Zack and Jonathan meet Samantha, their lives take on a different course.

Pelican Ventures Book Group releases The Other Side of Darkness by Linda Wood Rondeau.  It is available in paperback or ebook at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.booksamillion.com

Watch for opportunities to meet the author at upcoming book signings.

Launch Party for Jaye Cherie's The Gold Digger's Club

First Coast Christian Writers

presents

 Jaye Cherie’s

The Gold Digger’s Club

Launch Party Reception

Saturday, January 7, 2012

3 p.m. until 6 p.m. 

The Zodiac Grill

120 W. Adams Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202

Meet and greet the author - 3:00; 4:00 and 5:00

Readings by the author – 3:30; 4:30 and 5:30

Book signings by the author – 3:45; 4:45 and 5:45

Door prizes hourly

The Gold Digger’s Club will be available for sale on January 3, 2012

Local Author Jaye Cherie Debuts January 3, 2012

As we turn over leaves and renew our vows to do really great things this year, I have some encouraging news for you. 

Go ahead and dream of seeing your name on the cover of your work in progress. The reward is coming for those long hours, days and months (or years) spent on your craft. 

Just ask FCCW members.  In fact, our very own Jaye Cherie will soon enjoy that experience, when her first novel, The Gold Digger’s Club, hits the bookshelves on January 3, 2012.   

Come and meet the author at the launch party.  Details to follow. 

Happy New Year!

Merrillee Whren to Speak November 10, 2011

Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes for Harlequin Love Inspired.  She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America.  She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers' Choice Award and the Maggie Award.  She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters.  She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God's most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida.  When she's not writing or working for her husband's recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting of her novels. 

Her most recent books include: Hometown Proposal, August 2010; Hometown Dad, February 2011 and coming soon Montana Match, January 2012.

Please visit her Web site at http://www.merrilleewhren.com/contest.html or connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/merrillee.whren


Remember our temporary location through the end of the year:
West Regional Library
1425 South Chaffee Road
Jacksonville, Florida  32221

Location Change

Due to a scheduling snafu, we have a temporary location through the end of the year. 

West Regional Library
1425 Chaffee Road South
Jacksonville, FL 32221

The library is located on Chaffee Road between Normandy Boulevard and I-10.  There is a traffic light at the entrance. 

We will be meeting here from 9/29/11 through 12/15/11 with one exception.  We will meet at our regular location (Wesconnett library) on 10/6/11. 

Due to the holidays we will not meet on Thanksgiving (11/24) or the two weeks of Christmas (12/22 and 12/29).

Critiques and Books

Our group loves critique! So we've decided that, for the time being, we're going to concentrate on that aspect with the occasional speaker.  But since education is an important part of our craft, I'd like to share some of my favorite writing books with you.

The first book I read when I started my writing journey was Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to edit yourself into print by Renni Browne and Dave King.

Both authors are professional editors; Renni Browne began The Editorial Department, a national book-editing company, in 1980 after working for various mainstream publishers including William Morrow.  Dave King works as an independent editor at www.davekingedits.com and also serves as a contributing editor for Writer's Digest.

This book is a good overall guide to fiction writing with chapters on: Show and Tell, Characterization and Exposition, Point of View, Proportion (bogged down in details), Dialogue Mechanics, See How It Sounds, Interior Monologue (voices in one's head), Easy Beats, Breaking Up is Easy to Do, Once is Usually Enough, Sophistication (polished and professional), and Voice.

Each chapter has examples of typical mistakes, followed by the same passage written a better way - I could clearly see my writing in many of the first examples and easily mimic the second.  A checklist at the end of the chapters serves as a summary of important points and exercises provide an opportunity to apply the lessons.

There are books on these specific topics that will go into further depth, but this is a good introduction to all the elements of fiction writing. 

Chris Berman to Speak Thursday, August 11

Chris Berman calls himself an accidental author.  He wrote his first novel, The Hive, while recovering from a biking accident.  He has since written Red Moon and Star Pirates, available at bookstores and online.  His fourth book, Das Bell, is awaiting publication. 

As a boy, Chris was influenced by science fiction authors such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and John Campbell.  A neighbor and amateur astronomer further fueled his passion for science and astrodynamics, and he has been an avid follower of both the US and Russian space programs. 

Chris conducted a workshop at this year's UNF Writer's Conference and will be teaching a course there this fall.  He currently lives in St. Augustine with his wife and daughters. 

Rik Feeney to Speak August 4, 2011

Rik Feeney adapted his love of reading, writing, and gymnastics to become a published author of more than 60 books, reports, and CD's on the sport and business of gymnastics as well as a book coach, book cover designer, and promotional expert for aspiring authors.

Rik has been traditionally published by McGraw-Hill for his book "Gymnastics: A Guide for Parents and Athletes", but then opted to start his own publishing company in 1994 called Richardson Publishing, which uses Traditional, Print-On-Demand, and Digital publishing technologies.

Rik received a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature from Vermont College of Norwich University in 2003.  He is currently a columnist for AllExperts.com answering questions in two categories: Publishing/Self Publishing, and the sport of Gymnastics.

He currently works with authors and self-publishers as a book coach, marketing coach, and publishing consultant providing insight and information to help new writers leap beyond the mundane but financially treacherous concerns of publishing. 

Rik is also the Orlando - Florida Writer's Association Group Leader and Platinum Sponsor for the FWA State Writer's Conference.

Rik Feeney has done several talks at writer's conferences and seminars throughout the Southeast and is finishing three new books, Writing Books for Fun, Fame & Fortune, Publishing for Penny-Pinchers, and Book Marketing Success for Authors on a Budget.