Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again and shares her anticipation for this year’s writers conference!

It’s been almost a year since my first Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference. I’ve made great strides (okay, baby steps) with my writing. It feels terrific!

Right away I joined Wordsowers and began to attend their monthly meetings at the Swanson Library in Omaha. I can’t always make it (the last Thursday of each month, 6:00 to 7:45) but when I do, I leave inspired and happy.

At the meetings I heard about the critique group that meets once a month. I’ve only been able to go once so far, but in that session I learned so much! They showed me how to format manuscripts to be taken seriously by editors. They showed me how awesome it feels to be surrounded by successful people who want to help you succeed.

I’ve used what I learned at the conference to submit poetry and articles to magazines, with a few successes. It’s nice to have some of the poems in my binder collection be seen by readers beyond my own family.

I’ve discovered how to be patient through the long wait for responses to submissions. A writer just keeps working and submitting. “You can’t sell what you don’t submit” is true! And rejection letters truly are just one submission closer to success.

Now I have new ideas and questions (and business cards!) to take to the 2017 Conference. I can’t wait to hear the new speakers and meet more writers. I know the 2017 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference will inspire me to take the next steps in my writing.

If you have signed up for our conference, what are you most looking forward to?

Look for more next week from Janet about her first conference experience.

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

When you read your manuscript, you read what you think you wrote, not what’s actually there. It’s nearly impossible to read your own work! What if you could have a professional writer read it and tell you what they thought? They might have just the right suggestions to make it really shine! Oh, but that would be expensive. That would clean you out, right? Wrong!

When you attend the Wordsowers Christian Writer’s Conference, you get a workshop leader manuscript critique for $25! There are so many things you get from that, like…

One-on-one guidance: You get to meet with the writing professional who reviewed your work. They will tell you what they think face to face. Don’t worry, they’ll be kind! They’ll point out ways to make your work better. They might show you something you hadn’t seen before. In the end, your writing will be better for it.

Help with errors: Every writer makes errors, but it’s hard to see where you’ve gone wrong. The workshop leader will spot things that got past you, spell check, and the friends you’ve had read it. When you correct errors, your work is much more ready for editors and agents.

Encouragement: The workshop leaders have been in your seat. It’s taken all of them time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears to become professional writers. They know what it’s like to be starting out. Hearing from them, including where they’ve been and what they’ve been through, can help you realize that your dream can be reached as well. You’ll leave the session with ideas for your piece and excitement for your writing future.

Submit something you’re really excited about, then sit down for a one-on-one and find out how to make it better! $25 is a small price to pay for one critique. You get so much more than red ink on a page! Click HERE for details. Order and send in your manuscript asap to make the most of this opportunity!

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

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Meet Brooke Williams, one of our conference workshop leaders. We asked her a few questions so you could get to know her ahead of time.

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you.

I’m a stereotypical writer…an introvert at heart. The fact that I survived in radio is amazing to me today. If I can do it you can and I’ll show you how! I’m primarily a stay at home mom to two young girls. Ask to see pictures. I’ll drag them out! Haha. When my youngest naps…I write! I’m primarily a freelance writer but I dabble in the author world when I can. I find it a great escape to everyday life and stress!

Feel free to contact me anytime! I write romantic comedy to give you some laughs. My next release Called “The Leftover” drops in September and I’m super excited about it! Check out my website. You can also contact me on Twitter and Facebook.

What do you see as the greatest take away/who will get the most out of your workshop?

I’m presenting the workshop on how to get and give radio and tv interviews. If you want to promote your book, your devotional, a certain topic you cover or whatever, you might want media attention. How do you get it?! I spent over a decade in the radio industry so I have lots of tips on how to get the interviews and then how to conduct them so you don’t feel like you made a mistake getting it in the first place. I also spent five months on the local news so I picked up some helpful tricks there as well. Mostly what not to do. Haha. I’ll pass them along to you! As writers we can love what we do passionately but unless we get it out there for others, it stays in a box. It’s fun to hear about ways to get the word out!

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be?

Don’t give up on your dreams! Write first and foremost because you love it. Then don’t stop until you reach your goals. No…don’t even stop then! If you stop trying you’ll for sure never reach those goals right?! Don’t let anything deter you. Got it?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

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Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares about her experience meeting with speakers.

At the 2016 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference I met three of the speakers. Each made a lasting impression.

First, Lee Warren at his book table. He’s a journalist, author, editor, and member of Wordsowers Christian Writers. I attended his workshop, and purchased his instructional materials for writers. But the time spent at his table wasn’t about his experiences. He asked about my projects and advised what to do next. He suggested I sign up for a one-on-one session with the keynote speaker, which I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing. He told me exactly how to prepare for that meeting. So I did!

The keynote speaker was Troy Griepentrog, a senior associate editor for Focus on the Family. I approached the meeting just the way Lee directed me, and we had a wonderful conversation. He assured me there is a need for articles about the topics I suggested. He encouraged me to send a query email, and promised to forward it to the proper editor.

The third speaker I met was Sally Jadlow, a published author and poet who teaches creative writing. She edited (and praised!) a poem I brought, and asked what other writing I’ve done. I admitted I’ve only had a few published articles, but two poems and a creative non-fiction piece had won writing contests. She exclaimed, “You’re an award-winning writer! You need to say that whenever you write a bio for submissions.”

I walked away from each meeting with more confidence and knowledge. Thank you, Wordsowers Christian Writers, for inviting such awesome speakers!

What apprehensions (or advice) do you have about meeting with conference speakers?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Next week, Janet shares about her anticipation for this year’s conference.

Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again to share about her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

The 2016 WCW Conference changed my entire outlook on writing. Over the span of two days last April I was transformed, in my own mind, from “someone who likes to write” into a Writer and a Poet. I grew to understand that’s who I am, even if it’s not what I do full-time.

I was surprised to find that people I met at the conference were actually interested in my ideas and took them seriously. They convinced me to take myself seriously, and to pursue those ideas.

One of the speakers pointed out that many people feel they cannot call themselves writers until they have published a book or are writing full time. But really, it’s not just about being published. It’s about having the interest, ability, ideas, and calling to write. Getting published is the icing on the cake!

The speakers all presented very effectively; it was a joy to learn from them. They also were available not only at their book tables, but for one-on-one sessions with attendees. Agents and editors were available to critique manuscripts (some for a fee, others for free). They told me what next steps I should take toward making my writing marketable.

The experience left me with solid goals and a clearer vision for my writing. The Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference truly opened new paths for me.

If you like to write, even if you’re not yet a “published author,” make plans to come. You’ll be glad you did!

What perspectives would you like to change about your writing?

Next week, Janet shares her experience talking with conference speakers.

Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

A close friend of mine heard an ad for the 2016 Wordsowers Writers Conference on KGBI Radio, and texted me about it. I looked into the details, but hesitated. There were two strikes against my going:

It fell on a busy weekend.
It seemed a stretch to my slim budget.

However, my friend insisted that I go. She said it was a God thing, a nudge from the Holy Spirit kind of thing. So I registered and went.

It felt awkward going to a conference without knowing anyone there. But at least I live nearby. I met a writer who drove across 2 states just to attend. She felt uncomfortable at first, too, so we visited and sat together at each meal break (the food was fantastic!)

At every workshop I sat enthralled, but managed to take notes. Each one had such wonderful information and helpful Q&A time. Questions were brought up that I didn’t even know to ask, and I learned from them all.

At the book tables I chatted with published authors. They freely gave advice, encouragement, and solid answers to my writing problems.

The core team of Wordsowers Christian Writers worked tirelessly to make the conference run smoothly. I grew to admire and appreciate their experiences, and their selfless motivation to help other writers.

When I left, I promised myself to return the next year. Well, it is now next year. I am registered and ready to go. Won’t you join me?

What is your biggest obstacle to attending a writers conference?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Look for more next week from Janet about her first conference experience.

Today we welcome Brenda S. Anderson, author of Capturing Beauty, a Where the Heart Is Romance.

First Impressions

That initial reaction when you see, hear, feel, taste, smell, or sense something. As we all know, that first impression does not define what we’re sensing, but it does matter.

Think of a first date with someone. You want your date to see you at your best, so you spend extra time and special care in preparing.

Consider how you choose the books you read. Chances are, what initially drew you in was the cover—and many readers do judge a book by its cover—yet the cover is only a one-dimensional, often false, peek into the story inside.

I’d be remiss not to mention the latest political climate. A single headline will set people off. A headline only reveals the very tip of a large iceberg, but still spawns arguments.

Or take a look at an unpolished agate. At first glance, it looks like any other stone, but once smoothed and polished, the stone reveals multi-layered, multi-hued beauty.

People aren’t much different than agates, are we?

Everything—everyone—has an important story to tell if only we reign in our initial reaction and listen, learn. It’s always important to look deeper than that shallow first impression.

When you pass the homeless person begging for food, they have a story beyond living on the street.
When you watch a comedian perform, they are more than the jokes they tell.
When you see a model with the perfect face, perfect figure, know that they are more than skin deep.

They are all fiercely loved by God, and He wants us to see past the exterior, past the first impressions, into the heart He sees and loves.

What kind of first impression do you leave others?

When you nip at a store clerk for making a mistake.
When you cut someone off in traffic.
When you’ve just finished painting the house and haven’t had time to clean up.

Don’t you want the grace of having others see deeper than their initial reaction? I know I do.

And I’m beyond grateful that we have a Savior who knows every sordid, beautiful detail about us, yet is still wholly devoted to us.

~ ~ ~

About the characters in Capturing Beauty:

Callie Beaumont’s job as a graphic designer is to create dazzling first impressions for her clients. She’s surrounded with what the world defines as beautiful. Her parents are popular TV news anchors. Her sister is a model. And she considers herself plain. People tend to look past her and see only her family. If anyone knows the value of first impressions, it’s Callie.

Then there’s Haven Carlysle. He’s a nature photographer on assignment to capture the north shore of Minnesota’s unique beauty. He’s challenged to see beyond the magnificent waterfalls and lighthouses and lift bridges others photograph and learns to find beauty in the seemingly ordinary, such as earth worms that help dirt breathe allowing vegetation to grow.

Their Story

He’s a nature photographer returning to make amends. She’s a camera-shy naturalist seeking privacy. Their love for a boy brings them together, but the camera could drive them apart.

Photographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. Six years earlier, he had run from his tragedy-filled life in Duluth. Now he’s back in town to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too. When camera-leery Callie Beaumont steps in to bridge the relationship between Haven and his former family, he’s wary, but she’s his only hope.

Callie Beaumont is surrounded by beauty. Her parents are local news celebrities. Her sister is a model. And Callie is … Ordinary. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos.

Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son?

Purchase your copy: Amazon iTunes B&N Universal link

~ ~ ~

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Chapter of the Year, MN-NICE, from Minnesota. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 29 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

Connect with Brenda Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Newsletter

Seek Twice as Many Rejections

Gladys Merek and Kat — My neighbor’s 90th birthday. Her daughter brought her to my book signing at Barnes and Nobles

In January 2007 I reviewed my writing credits. In the past year I had sold a few Sunday School handout articles, wrote for a newspaper for free (great experience) and sold my stories to several compilations. Of course, I also wrote for my blog, the church blog, a church drama and designed cards. None of the latter brought in income.

My first goal for 2007: Receive twice as many rejections in that year as I did in 2006.

YOU CANNOT SELL WHAT YOU DON’T SUBMIT

I hung the above on my desk in large letters.

At the end of 2007 I recorded more rejections, but on the positive side, I made more money than I had in the past three years combined.

For the next few weeks I will post lessons I learned about writing, marketing, and getting acquainted with other writers, editors and publishers. .

To begin, at a writers conference I heard about an anthology called “A Cup of Comfort.” I sold them many stories and devotionals until they quit their publications. “The Cup of Comfort” publisher was the only anthology producer I ever knew who paid the author to hold book signings.

The idea of extra money pushed me to find sales locations in Nebraska and Oregon. …

A Professional Appearance

Take a look at the business websites out there. Stroll through their pages and get a feel for what it looks like. Generally speaking, they will be uncluttered with plenty of whitespace. Don’t add too much color. Keep the font simple – don’t go crazy with this, even if it is fun.

When there is too much busyness, it is hard to know where to go on a website to find what you need. And it can simply give you a headache.

Create an awesome about page: not just about who you are, but what can they expect on your website.

There needs to be blogging activity on your site. Not just quantity, but quality content. This is generally where people will find the good stuff they like. The stuff they want to hang out a bit to consume.

Tools: (free) website building: Blogger, Weebly, WordPress

Quality Images/Graphics

Every image should be sharp and clear. Your author picture needs to be professional quality. Having an image in each post creates visual interest. And according to Buffer, (https://blog.bufferapp.com/blog-images) visual content is more than 40 times more likely to be shared.

Tools:
My pick where to find images:

Free Digital Photos

GL Stock Photos

Dreamstime

Photo Editing: Canva

Newsletter Sign Up Form

The best thing you can do for yourself is to start collecting emails of those people interested in what you write! When they give you their email, they are giving you permission to contact them directly and they are more likely to buy your materials than followers on social media.

Do this through a newsletter. Offer something of value to convince them to sign up. Then when you send out your newsletter, give them valuable information and share when your books are coming out.

Tools: Mail Chimp, Canva (see link above)

Follow Buttons for All Your Social Media Profiles

Make it easy for people to find you! Put those buttons where they are easy to see.

Tools:
Photobucket
How to create Follow buttons

Sharing Tools

Make it easy for your audience to share about you and your content without leaving your website. Some of the tools available are: social share buttons, Click to Tweet, Memes (make your blog photo something people will want to share), Pin it hover buttons.

Tools:
Bitly to shorten your links
Click to Tweet : How to create
Canva (see link above)
Images (see links above)

Once you have your basics in place, there will be plenty of bells and whistles to add. Look around at what other people are doing then google how to get it done. There is a tutorial for just about everything!

What tools have you found helpful on your website?

photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net // cooldesign

Writing a book before creating a platform is like cooking a banquet before we’ve created a guest list.

Photo courtesy of tiramisustudio @freedigitalphotos.net

We prepare the feast, throw open the doors to welcome everyone in, but nobody’s there.

We call into the void, “This is delicious. Come try a bite.”

Silence answers.

It’s the same with growing a following.

First we create a platform, then we can share the goodies…in this case, our work.

But how do we get our message heard in the midst of so many others

Micheal Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, addresses that in his book Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.

His statistics are so impressive they’d make Babe Ruth hang his head in shame. If he were still alive.

Michael’s stats include

One of the top three business blogs on the Internet with
300,000+ monthly visitors and
70,000 subscribers
145,000 Twitter followers
21,000 Facebook fans
A weekly podcast, This Is Your Life, consistently ranking in iTunes top ten
Approximately 278.4 kazillion book sale.

Since his platform started at zilch, it’s worth listening to his wisdom.

Disclaimer: These 5 steps are straight from Micheal Hyatt’s site. I am crediting Michael Hyatt. Mr. Hyatt, please hold back your legal people. Again, this is Michael Hyatt’s info. Highly abbreviated.

1. Start with wow.

2. Prepare to launch.

3. Build your home base.

4. Expand your reach.

5. Engage your tribe.

Obviously, he expands on and explains each step. But since I don’t want his legal team stalking me, head over to one of Michael’s sites to feast at his banquet.

Since I’m all about freebees, here’s a tasty one: Sign up to get his blog posts via e-mail and receive a FREE copy of his new e-book Shave 10 Hours off Your Workweek.

Now on to

Jeanie’s Super-Secret Newbie No-No’s

Photo courtesy of graur razvan ionut @ freedigitalphotos.net

To recap what we’ve learned so far:

Week 1- Exclamation marks scream, “Newbie!”

Week 2- Annihilate Adverbs

Week 3- Eradicate empty words. Really just skip them. I’m very serious

Week 4- Use “Invisible” Words: said, ask, answer, and reply

Week 5- Run off Run-On Sentences

Week 6- Clear out Clichés

Week 7- Pass on Passive Voice

Week 8- Eliminate Empty Adjectives

Week 9- Reduce Redundancy

This week-
There, They’re, Their

Here’s one way for non-grammar nerds to subdue this potentially tricky trio.

“There” rhymes with “Where.” Where’s the dog? Over THERE. OR Substitute “Here” for “There” and see if the sentence makes sense.

“They’re” is two words, THEY and ARE jammed together. Am I the only one working? No, THEY’RE going to help.

“Their” = Possession. The IRS (THE/IRS) thinks everything is THEIRS. THEIR bank accounts. THEIR car. THEIR houses…

Most new writers don’t realize incorrect use of these trouble triplets will send editors out of there minds. If they’re is a problem with your manuscript, their is a way to fix it. They’re is spell-check, but it won’t help you their. Try Grammar-girl. If there busy, look at Grammarly. There always willing to help folks out they’re.

Since we all need to move forward, my Current Lofty Goal (AKA something I need to do, but want to put off) Continue rewrites of my novel’s first draft.

What challenges do you face in your writing life? We at Wordsowers want to help. Connect with us here or on our Facebook page.

Great news: sign up for our free monthly newsletter to get help delivered straight to your inbox. It’s easy–the button is on the right side of this page, near the top.

Wordsowers Christian Writers Group

Inspiring Christian writers to grow, connect, and thrive in their craft.

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Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again to share about her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

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Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

Like this:

About the characters in Capturing Beauty:

Their Story

~ ~ ~

Like this:

Seek Twice as Many Rejections

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Like this:

A Professional Appearance

Quality Images/Graphics

Newsletter Sign Up Form

Follow Buttons for All Your Social Media Profiles

Sharing Tools

Like this:

Jeanie’s Super-Secret Newbie No-No’s

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Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again to share about her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

Share this:

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Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

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Like this:

About the characters in Capturing Beauty:

Their Story

~ ~ ~

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Like this:

Seek Twice as Many Rejections

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Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

A Professional Appearance

Quality Images/Graphics

Newsletter Sign Up Form

Follow Buttons for All Your Social Media Profiles

Sharing Tools

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Like this:

Jeanie’s Super-Secret Newbie No-No’s

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