tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post757620119466550478..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Aussie Writer on the Journey: What I've learned from Writing OrganisationsJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-39550769365596644032011-07-31T17:37:03.842+10:002011-07-31T17:37:03.842+10:00Mary, thanks for stopping by :) I'm pretty sur...Mary, thanks for stopping by :) I'm pretty sure we did first meet online through ACFW. And we first met in person at the 2007 Romance Writers of Australia conference in Sydney where you presented an excellent workshop on inspirational romance.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-56590495970787816122011-07-25T16:51:13.615+10:002011-07-25T16:51:13.615+10:00I am so late catching up on reading all the blogs ...I am so late catching up on reading all the blogs here but do need to comment on this as a writer who tried to write for nearly two decades with only minimal contacts with other writers I can count on one hand! In fact, it wasn't until I became a member of Romance Writers of Australia that I signed my first contract- after 13 rejections on one manuscript. <br />I do so agree with your comments, Narelle, and it has been through you being a member of ACFW I think we first made contact? A writer's journey is always a continuing learning how to "write better" one - or it certainly is for me! Sharing with other writers is an essential part of that wole experience to becoming a published author.<br />I too have been a member of ACFW ever since it first commenced back in 2001 and as wonderful as this and Faith Hope Love chapter of RWAmerica have been, I am absolutely delighted to now have fellowship with Aussie writers through Omega Writers in Qld. I only wish I could pop in every month to their face to face monthly meetings! And now congratulations to Lee too for commencing this group! <br />Now my biggest problem may be that perhaps I'm now a member of too many groups!Mary Hawkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12603850711168486457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-89926549588639340142011-07-23T20:03:02.982+10:002011-07-23T20:03:02.982+10:00Narelle, without ACFW I would never have met dear ...Narelle, without ACFW I would never have met dear Lee, who's been the best writing mentor a girl could ask (God) for!! What an answer to prayer :)<br />I also have an amazing critique buddy in Tennessee as well as hundreds of Facebook writing co-encouragers and examples. <br />Like Lee, I look forward to something like ACFW growing out of our own Christian Writers Downunder!! Wouldn't that be something?? <br />Blessings<br />Dotti :)Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-79957660995210236012011-07-19T17:21:00.908+10:002011-07-19T17:21:00.908+10:00Hi Suzie, how would we survive these days without ...Hi Suzie, how would we survive these days without the internet? Thanks for stopping by :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-76622566668922382892011-07-19T14:23:51.527+10:002011-07-19T14:23:51.527+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-50299600275409700452011-07-19T14:23:25.382+10:002011-07-19T14:23:25.382+10:00Narelle, I have to say RWA and my local chapters w...Narelle, I have to say RWA and my local chapters were like a life-line for me. I remember back before our lives revolved around the internet, joining chapters all across the country so I could read all the newsletters and soak up all their wisdom.Suzie Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06296203324088418271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-4451657094132109092011-07-19T13:33:01.329+10:002011-07-19T13:33:01.329+10:00Jenny, I agree you've given her good advice. I...Jenny, I agree you've given her good advice. I also sympathise with the writers who think they have a great book, receive rejections from all the mainstream publishers and, instead of seeking help on how to improve their writing, are suckered into paying a vanity publisher to publish their book. Unfortunately I've seen new members join my writing groups who are so excited about selling their book to a vanity press without realising the potential pitfalls of their publishing contract. Knowledge is definitely power in these situations.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-15556191269061430862011-07-19T08:23:01.784+10:002011-07-19T08:23:01.784+10:00Narelle part of the problem is that they think the...Narelle part of the problem is that they think they have a great book and are writing a series and it may be good but after blogging and reading author stories I know books have to be edited etc many times and just cos it sounds good doesn't mean it is good. Thats why I wanted her to join or ask for some help. It would be sad for her to write her 4 book series but then find it needs complete overhauls.Ausjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644698706787568679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-47368572980457271992011-07-19T07:59:44.332+10:002011-07-19T07:59:44.332+10:00Hi Lee, I love your vision for our group :) Thanks...Hi Lee, I love your vision for our group :) Thanks also for all the work you and Dorothy have done to get our group up and running.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-68383737826013548302011-07-19T07:54:47.931+10:002011-07-19T07:54:47.931+10:00Hi Jenny, it's great to hear the ACFW bookclub...Hi Jenny, it's great to hear the ACFW bookclub members have helped you find information for your friend's daughter :) Another helpful reader resource on the ACFW website is the Fiction Finder database.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-63499708776576238922011-07-18T21:23:15.767+10:002011-07-18T21:23:15.767+10:00Agree totally. Writing groups help all of us to gr...Agree totally. Writing groups help all of us to grow, and are invaluable for critiquing groups.<br /><br />I'd love Christian Writers Downunder to one day be like ACFW, with our own email loop, crit groups and resources. That would be amazing.:)<br /><br />LeeSRIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577173231370982410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-570346738410828192011-07-18T19:09:04.080+10:002011-07-18T19:09:04.080+10:00As a reader its interesting reading these posts I ...As a reader its interesting reading these posts I have a friends whos daughter is wanting to write and I suggested joining a writing group. I am a member of the ACFW bookclub and have been able to ask questions on there behalf and suggestions on how to get help. Its a great resource which I can see as a reader.Ausjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07644698706787568679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-64506391391878220582011-07-18T18:33:19.706+10:002011-07-18T18:33:19.706+10:00Hi Rita, I second your recommendation for James Sc...Hi Rita, I second your recommendation for James Scott Bell's writing books - a very helpful resource :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-76220241635748094012011-07-18T14:55:03.300+10:002011-07-18T14:55:03.300+10:00Ditto, Narelle. I echo your sentiments about those...Ditto, Narelle. I echo your sentiments about those online groups. ACFW has been a real boon to me, especially when you read questions by others you might have felt plain stoo-pid to ask yourself. And yet answers are always generously forthcoming. Two great books also, are James Scott Bell's PLOT & STRUCTURE and REVISION & SELF EDITING. Wonderful guides!Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-55560708408864614772011-07-18T14:49:16.711+10:002011-07-18T14:49:16.711+10:00Hey Michelle, thanks for stopping by :) Are you wr...Hey Michelle, thanks for stopping by :) Are you writing Christian fiction? Are you a member of ACFW? ACFW members can take part in a monthly critiquing course before linking up with other members to form critique groups. Please let me know if you write romance because there a number of options you can look into. I'm glad I've encouraged you to not give up your search :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-79501547766094380472011-07-18T14:36:58.651+10:002011-07-18T14:36:58.651+10:00Hi Amanda, we are very fortunate to have a number ...Hi Amanda, we are very fortunate to have a number of writing organisations we can join and learn from :)Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-39172135314759426372011-07-18T12:56:09.856+10:002011-07-18T12:56:09.856+10:00Hey Narelle, I found this a very encouraging post....Hey Narelle, I found this a very encouraging post. I've been searching for a critque partner/s for 18 months. Other than online and the odd Omega Writers meeting my season of life doesn't allow me to join in with writers groups. <br />But I know the importance - and won't give up. <br />Thank you. xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-49698372084688456552011-07-18T08:33:06.146+10:002011-07-18T08:33:06.146+10:00Hi Narelle. I belong to a couple of those groups a...Hi Narelle. I belong to a couple of those groups as well. And I have learned much from them. They are definitely a blessing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com