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You’re Asked for It: Write-Ins

April Wordsowers Meeting
Write-In
with Amy Stanley

Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

You’ve asked for write-ins for quite some time now and we’ve finally listened. Bring your laptops or pen and paper, along with whatever project you’re working on, to the April Wordsowers meeting. Amy Stanley, who is overseeing a couple of write-ins this year as well as a Saturday retreat in June, will conduct the write-in.

For writers not currently in the middle of a project, come anyway. We’ll provide some challenges and prompts for you. Let’s get those creative juices flowing.

If you’re able to do so, we’re asking you to bring snacks to share with others. The evening will be a mix of writing, fellowship, munching, and crunching. Wordsowers will provide the beverages.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

Learn the Ins and Outs of the Writing Process

March Wordsowers’ Meeting
Guest Speaker: Rita Rocker
The Process: From Writing a Manuscript to Being Published

Thursday, March 27th at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

Rita Rocker will be the guest speaker at the March Wordsowers meeting. She’ll cover the essential steps in the writing process, from seeking God’s guidance and inspiration through the Holy Spirit in your writing to suggestions for editing options, crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, and promoting your book. Since this is a broad topic, she’ll cover the basics along with providing a handout covering each step of the process.

We’re asking Wordsowers’ experienced and published authors to be a part of the meeting as well. During the Q & A session, we’ll invite you to join Rita in answering questions that attendees might have regarding the writing process.

Rita Rocker is a speaker, author and trainer with SoaringHigher.rocks and has a program on YouTube (KPAO) on TransformationNow! She is the author of five books and co-author of twelve international anthologies. Her books speak of rising from tragedies to triumph, self-esteem and self-image, career development, communications, professional image and etiquette. All books share about a person’s value and worth and then moves to keys to success in work and life. Rita is a former Mrs. Nebraska and Mrs. America contestant (widowed during her term) and speaks with hope, help, humor and heart.

To contact Rita, her email is rita@soaringhigher.rocks and her website is SoaringHigher.rocks.

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

Is God Calling You to Serve WS?

The WS Support Team Needs You
Opportunities to Serve Others

Nope, we’re not talking about tennis. We just needed to get your attention.

To be honest, Wordsowers needs willing people to step out of their comfort zones to serve others. The WS support team is looking for two or three people who are interested in being a part of the team. After talking to the Lord about it, if you feel this is something He’s calling to you to do, contact Debbie at debbie.crom@yahoo.com or Lollie at lolliehofer@yahoo.

Here are some service opportunities for you to consider: set the agenda and lead monthly meetings, oversee the Critique Group, promote Wordsowers in the Omaha community, provide write-in opportunities at coffee houses, and help the team plan special activities apart from the regular meetings.

After prayer, if Jesus is nudging you to serve Him through Wordsowers, please contact us.

You Have a Voice, Use It

February Wordsowers’ Meeting

You Have a Voice
Here’s Your Opportunity to Share Your Thoughts and Ideas

Thursday, February 27th at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

Whether you’ve been with Wordsowers for twenty-five years (like Lee Warren) or this is your first meeting, we want to hear from you. The WS support team never sets the agenda for the year until they hear from its members. (You don’t have to sign-up to join Wordsowers and there are no membership fees. Members constitute those who attend monthly meetings, in-person or on zoom.)

At the February meeting, we’ll spend a few minutes in prayer asking the Lord to direct our steps in 2025.

Then it will be your turn to share your thoughts and ideas about Wordsowers. What do you like about the meetings? What do you dislike about the meetings? Would you be interested in write-ins where you’d connect with other writers, write some, fellowship some, and eat some? Do you want to continue with speaker meetings? Do you have ideas for topics or speakers? Do you have ideas on how to promote Wordsowers? Besides offering the monthly meetings and the critique group, how else can Wordsowers serve you?

You have the freedom to express your thoughts and ideas in a non-threatening environment. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box of what you know Wordsowers to be. Wordsowers dares you to start out by saying, “This may sound crazy but…” Even if they can’t utilize all your ideas, the WS support team still wants to hear from you. The only thing they ask is that you be kind to those who serve or have served. No personal attacks, please.

After the official meeting is over, there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments

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Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

Sheila Seifert, from Focus on the Family, is guest speaker

January Wordsowers’ Meeting

Speaker: Sheila Seifert
Editorial Director of “Focus on the Family” and “Brio” magazines
Topic: Taking Your Manuscript to the Next Level

focusonthefamily-thedailybroadcast.jpg (200×200)

Thursday, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

In-Person Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134
(Zoom is also available. See details below.)

Sheila Seifert, from Focus on the Family, will join us on zoom as the January guest speaker. She’ll share on the importance of revision and how it will take your manuscript to the next level. Ms. Seifert will share how to use content, craft, communication, and creativity in the revision process. Participants will be given a link to a short quiz that can help them apply this knowledge to their own stories.

Her emphasis will be on fiction; however, whatever genre you write in, Sheila will be an inspiration to all writers. She’ll also take a few minutes to discuss writing opportunities for “Focus on the Family” and “Brio” magazines, as well as have a Q & A time.


Sheila Seifert is the editorial director of Focus on the Family and Briomagazines, author of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, and the founder of Simple Literature. Her co-authored children’s books include Bible Kidventures: Stories of Danger and Courage, Rescue on the River, and Swept Into the Sea. She has cowritten over 20 books, has over 1,000 freelance sales and had a few of her animated children’s concepts or scripts produced.

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Please note: There are five Thursdays in January. We always meet on the fourth Thursday, not necessarily the last Thursday.

Zoom: To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It is a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.


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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.

Great Time Together

There were lots of laughs, sweet fellowship, and God-ordained connections (if you know, you know) at the annual Wordsowers Christmas Party. We also learned about the mystery of Christmas (and yes, it has everything to do with Easter).

Starting front and center and going clockwise: Linda, Anisa, Sassy, Kat, Karen, Ben, Debbie, Lollie, Roger, and Miranda.
We were thrilled at the God-ordained connections. Don’t you love it when God does that?

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.


What are you thankful for this year?

There are no regular monthly meetings in November and December. WS Critique group will meet in November but not in December. Be sure and check out the Christmas Mystery Party details for December 7th. (Posted separately from this post.) Regular monthly meetings will resume in January on the fourth Thursday.

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Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.


What are you thankful for this year?

There are no regular monthly meetings in November and December. WS Critique group will meet in November but not in December. Be sure and check out the Christmas Mystery Party details for December 7th. (Posted separately from this post.) Regular monthly meetings will resume in January on the fourth Thursday.

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“The Christmas Mystery”
Annual Wordsowers’ Christmas Party

Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
(Zoom will not be provided.)

Location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Street
Omaha, NE 68138

You and one guest are invited to join us in discovering “The Christmas Mystery” at our annual Wordsowers’ Christmas party. We’ll enjoy a potluck brunch, short devotional, a mystery game and a “Mystery Gift Exchange.” There will be door prizes.

For the potluck brunch, egg and potato dishes will be provided. You’re asked to bring a side dish to compliment the meal such as fruit, finger foods, and pastries. (Gluten-free options will be available.)

If you’d like to participate in the “Mystery Gift Exhange,” please don’t get too serious with your gift (the funnier the better). We challenge you to find that “perfect” gift from a local thrift store. Please keep the gifts under $10.00.

We need to hear from you. Be sure to email your RSVP to Debbie Crom by Monday, December 2nd, at debbie_crom@yahoo.com or text her at 402-238-2188. Let her know if you’re bringing a guest and what dish you’ll provide for the brunch. (Or you can RSVP to the newsletter’s email.)

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Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall.

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*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allows us to use their facilities.

Wordsowers Attended the Papillion Library’s Author Expo

A heartfelt thank you to Debbie, Sassy, and Lollie for working the Wordsowers’ table at the Author Expo. Even though it was a wet morning and kept the larger crowds away, numerous contacts were made with other Christian authors and publishers who were selling their wares at the Expo. Overall, it was a great day where valuable connections were made. We did actually sell one of Kat Parent’s books.

Here are some pictures from the Expo. As you can see, Wordsowers was well represented. Kathy Nickerson and Lee Warren were there as well. One picture caught Kathy with her mouth open because she was busy selling books. And Sassy was, well, being sassy. We did have a good time.

Great Turnout for the Wordsowers’ Anniversary Celebration

Thank you to the twenty-six folks who joined us in celebrating Wordsowers twenty-fifth anniversary. Thank you to Kat Crawford, Lee Warren, and Kelly Haack for sharing their Wordsowers’ journeys with us. A big shout out to Kat Parent for emceeing the meeting, Theresa Graeve for recording it, and to Roger Crom for taking pictures. Debbie Crom and Lollie Hofer cooked the pulled pork and did food set-up.

Here are a few of the pictures taken during the party. We’ll publish more pics at a later time.

More pictures can be found on the Wordsowers Facebook Page along with a recording of the meeting.

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Pat Mingarelli: Blending Writing with Life’s Other Passions

Pat Mingarelli
Blending Writing with Life’s Other Passions
Meeting will be hybrid: in-person and zoom

Thursday, August 22nd
7:00 p.m.

Meeting location:
*Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134

Pat Minagrelli will be our guest speaker at the August meeting. Pat combined his love for God’s Word and His creation, along with his passion for photography, to write a devotional book “Drawing Near: Meeting God in His Creation.” He’ll challenge us to look at our other interests to see if there’s potential for blending them with our desire to write.

You can connect with Pat at his website The Creation Speaks Creation Ministry, or via email at pat@thecreationspeaks.com. His book can be purchased on the website. Many Wordsowers attendees have professional shots thanks to Pat who generously provided his services at a discounted rate at some of the Wordsowers’ conferences.

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Parking: Park in the lot on the south side of the church and enter through the main doors. Follow the signs to the fellowship hall. If you can’t join us in person, Zoom will be available.

To join the meeting via Zoom, click on the following link: Wordsowers Christian Writers Group Meetups | Facebook. It’s a closed group so if you haven’t joined the group yet, click on “Invite.” Answer the questions, agree to the guidelines and an administrator will let you into the group. Please do this by 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting otherwise we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to join the meeting online.

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Donations are appreciated. Wordsowers has ongoing expenses throughout the year (paid speakers, name domain and hosting expenses, SSL certification, etc.). If you’d like to donate to Wordsowers, please contact Lollie Hofer at lolliehofer@yahoo.com.

*Wordsowers is not affiliated with Omaha Christian Center. They graciously allow us to use their facilities for the meetings.