Will AI (ChatGPT) Kill the Writing Star?—by Susan J Bruce

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Back in the late 70s there was a hit single called Video Killed the Radio Star, a one-hit-wonder by The Buggles. It was the first song played when MTV debuted in 1981 and it’s about the concerns and mixed attitudes toward the use of 20th-century inventions and machines for the arts. 

 

Fast forward to 2023 and technology continues to grow exponentially—especially artificial intelligence (AI). 

 

From Siri to self-driving cars, AI technology is quickly becoming ubiquitous and changing the way we live and work. It’s not just making our lives easier but it’s also unlocking new frontiers in fields such as medicine, finance and space exploration.

 

It’s also impacting the arts.

 

One of those AI programs, ChatGPT, is currently generating a lot of discussion—inspiring conversations all over the internet. 

What is Chat GPT?

ChatGPT is a new language model program that has been trained on a large amount of text from the internet and beyond. It can generate words and ideas in a conversational tone about almost anything. 

 

I’m a copywriter as well as an author. We talked about it as a team at work and I’d seen some chatter about the program in various writing groups, so I thought I’d better check out what it could do. 

• Was ChatGPT going to put me out of a job? 
• Was it going to kill off my author career?

I decided to sign up to the free version of ChatGPT and have a play with the program! 

 

First impression? Wow! The conversational nature of the chatbot was scary-good. At times I felt as if I was talking to a real person.

 

Second impression? My job and writing career were safe—for now!

What ChatGPT can and can’t do 

When you sign up for ChatGPT, the site gives you some warnings about the program’s capabilities and limitations:

• It remembers what you said earlier in the conversation
• It allows you to give follow-up corrections       
• It’s trained to decline inappropriate requests (Not sure what that means, so I didn’t test it!)       
• It may occasionally give you incorrect information       
• It can sometimes produce harmful instructions or biased content       
• It has limited knowledge of the world and events after 2021 (which is obviously when it was programmed)

It also isn’t private—anything you enter could be read by one of their technicians—so don’t give it any information that’s deeply personal or anything related to your security, online or otherwise.

 

I decided to check out the program’s abilities for myself.

ChatGPT writing experiments

Writing copy

To begin with, I decided to check out its copywriting capabilities. I asked ChatGPT to write an advertising blurb for my young adult novel, Running Scared. I gave it the book description and asked it to generate several responses. The first few were simply awful, but I gave it more information and it finally gave me this copy. It's still pretty iffy—I wouldn’t use it as is—but with time I could tweak this draft to come up with something I liked:

 

Experience the heart-wrenching and thrilling journey of Melinda in "Running Scared", the latest novel by Susan J. Bruce. When the boy she loves is hiding a dark secret, Melinda must confront her worst fears and uncover the truth. With themes of first-love, friendship, and bravery, this captivating story explores the power of standing up to bullies and the consequences of keeping secrets. Perfect for young adult readers who love stories filled with emotion and mystery, "Running Scared" will keep you hooked from beginning to end."

 

Verdict: Don’t rely on ChatGPT to write great copy, but it can be used to give you something you can work with and refine.

 

Writing poetry 

I then switched to poetry and asked it to write a ‘happy sonnet’. I reasoned that asking for both poetry and emotion would test its writing abilities. The result was four simple quatrains like this one:

A world of joy, a heart of gold, 

A smile that shines, a story told, 

Of happiness that overflows, 

And laughter that forever grows.

 

I then asked ChatGPT if it understood the structure of a sonnet. It said yes and explained the sonnet structure accurately and defined an English (Shakespearian) sonnet as having three quatrains and a rhyming couplet—all in iambic pentameter. I then asked the program to rewrite the poem according to its definition of an English sonnet.

 

Once again, it gave me four quatrains.

 

I explained that it wasn’t writing according to the rules it gave me and it apologised profusely (yes, really) and had another go. After several attempts, the best it came up with were three quatrains and two rhyming couplets. I gave up and moved on.

 

Here’s another example of inaccuracy that made me laugh: 

 

An amusing ChatGPT chat I found on reddit—used with permission

 

Verdict: Don’t ask ChatGPT to help you with your poetry (or other) homework! 😎

 

Things became more interesting when I asked it to help me with my novel.

Novel writing

I’m writing a mystery novel and I’m at a point where I need to thread subtle clues to the identity of murderer throughout the story. I gave ChatGPT a couple of paragraphs summarising my story and the character of the antagonist. I then asked for hints regarding how I could thread these clues throughout the narrative.

 

I won’t list them here because I don’t want you to know whodunit 😊, but it gave me some good suggestions. Then I asked the program how I could make my antagonist a more rounded character. Nothing it said was new, and I had to ask the right questions, but it was surprisingly helpful. I felt as if I was brainstorming with another author in my genre. 

 

I could have got this information from a Google search, but it would have taken a lot longer. I could also have chatted with an actual author friend, but we are all busy, right? 

 

Verdict: If you ask ChatGPT the right questions, it can be a useful tool in plotting your novel.

The emphasis here is on the word “tool”

I’m sure this program can do a lot more. When I asked Chat GPT to tell me how it could be useful for authors. This is what it said: 

 

ChatGPT is … an excellent tool for authors who are looking for feedback and suggestions on their writing. Simply provide your draft to ChatGPT and ask for suggestions, and it will respond with insightful suggestions and recommendations, tailored to your writing style and tone. This real-time interaction with an AI model offers an exciting new opportunity for writers to improve their craft and reach their audiences in new and engaging ways.

 

We already have AI tools that are used extensively in the writing world. Editing programs such as Grammarly and ProWritingAid are a form of AI, as are search engines like Google and DuckDuckGo.

 

If we see AI technology as a tool that can help writers create better work, faster, it can be an excellent resource. As long as we treat ChatGPT as a resource and not as a ghostwriter. 

 

The reality is that technology is developing exponentially. In a couple of years GPT3 (on which ChatGPT is based) will become GPT4, so AI isn’t going to go away anytime soon. It will only become more powerful. 

How do we respond?

I think in the future we’ll have three choices as authors: 

• Let programs like this do our writing for us (meh…)
• Ignore it completely
• Harness the technology like we do every other tool (computers and internet, anyone?) and use it to our advantage.  

Photo by Martin Shreder on Unsplash 

My vote is for the third option. I don’t think using an AI tool to write your whole work, or even significant sections of your book is a good idea, from either a craft or ethical perspective. But, like all technology, it can be a handy tool.  

If, like me, you’re the kind of person who likes to bounce ideas off someone to clarify your thoughts, but you don’t always have access to another writer right then, tech like this can be really helpful. It’s fun to play with and it can help you look at your story in a different way.

 

The good news is that even with further technological advances, I don’t believe ChatGPT will take over our roles as writers and authors anytime soon. 

 

Even if AI can one day generate commercially viable stories and books, these books will lack the human creative spark. And I sometimes wonder that if technology uses the internet as its source and AI works take over the internet, will all the information one day devolve into the literary version of grey goo? 

 

There has to be some safeguards. Somehow we need to make sure the dystopian future Roald Dall hypothesised in his book, The Great Automatic Grammatizator, doesn’t happen. In this story a man creates a machine that can write a prize-winning novel in about 15 minutes. More and more of the world’s writers must license their names to the machine—so killing human creativity.

 

As Christian writers (this is a CWD blog after all), whether we write for the Christian community or for mainstream audiences, we have a secret weapon: the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing to think that the God who brought this brilliant and beautiful world into being, also made us to be creators in his image. Our heavenly dad loves to help us make things.

 

I wouldn’t swap that for any AI 😊.

 

But back to that song I mentioned… 

Video didn’t kill the radio star—video and radio are two different media sources. Video music clips entertain by blasting both the visual and audio senses, while radio is a more intimate, invite-the-announcer-into-your-living-room kind of experience. 

 

I don’t think ChatGPT will kill the writing star, either. If AI can help us organise our thoughts and brainstorm ideas, that’s pretty cool. And if we harness the power of AI programs in the right way, it can help our star rise.

 

What about you? Do you think there’s a place for ChatGPT and other AI in an author’s toolbox? What do you think are the ethical issues of using AI?

 

Let’s talk in the comments!

 

Susan J Bruce is an author, artist and animal addict who writes mystery and suspense books—with heart. Susan is a former veterinarian and animals often run, jump, fly or crawl through her tales. Her writing group once challenged her to write a story without mentioning any animals—she failed! Susan’s first novel, Running Scared, was awarded the 2018 Caleb Prize for an unpublished manuscript and is currently available on your favourite online retailer books2read.com/u/3RLoLB. 

Visit Susan at www.susanjbruce.com.

 

 

Changes in CWD Team

We interrupt our normal programming to make an important announcement.

Life is full of change and this year there will be some changes in the Christian Downunder Admin team, with some new faces and the absence of some old ones.

Thank you for your contributions

Anusha Atukorala has faithfully ministered as part of the CWD Admin team for five years now. She was a welcoming face when I joined the team and a great support when three years ago Nola handed me the baton as coordinator.

You may have noticed that Anusha faithfully posts the links to the CWD blog each Monday and Thursday without fail and with an encouraging comment. When required, she also chooses and posts our blasts from the past, revisiting great posts that are still relevant and inspirational.

Behind the scenes, I've been grateful of Anusha's wisdom and encouragement and prayers.  I'm inspired by her unwavering gratitude and faith in God and her gentle and kind spirit despite the challenges she often faces.

Over the last few months, Anusha has felt the Spirit calling her out from  CWD Admin after five years – and she is looking forward to being an active member of CWD without the admin role.

She says,

"God has been wooing me to more intimacy with Him over the past 20 years. It has been a wonderful, thrilling, challenging, blessed journey with Him. He continues to call me to a deeper walk with Him, to love Him more, to love and encourage others and to shine His love and light in a dark world. I am being intentional in not having a busy life – instead doing only what God asks me to do. A huge challenge in this world where being busy seems to be equated to success especially for writers in the 21st century world. 

I have discovered that LOVE is what life is all about. Not always easy to practice – but how thrilling love of God who woos us and lavishes His love on us. I'm grateful to God for CWD and the gifted, amazing writers in it for their support and encouragement in my writing journey." 

Ansuha will still be with us, blogging and as an active and valuable member of CWD.

Anusha Atukorala

Anusha has been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life.

The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus. She blogs fortnightly at her website Dancing in the Rain sharing God-thoughts and life lessons. Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her second book Dancing in the Rain was released in March 2018 and brings you hope and comfort for life’s tough seasons. She lives in Adelaide with her husband Shan and their son Asela.




I'm also grateful for Paula Vince who will be continuing on in her role on the CWD Admin team. Paula has faithfully reviewed applications of those wanting to join CWD and welcoming new members. She, like Anusha, has been ready to step in the breach when needed, I've appreciated her gentleness and  wisdom when decisions have been required.




Paula Vince is a South Australian author of contemporary, inspirational fiction. She lives in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, with its four distinct seasons, and loves to use her environment as settings for her stories. Her novel, 'Picking up the Pieces' won the religious fiction section of the International Book Awards in 2011, and 'Best Forgotten' was winner of the CALEB prize the same year. She is also one of the four authors of 'The Greenfield Legacy', Australia's first and only collaborated Christian novel. Her most recent novel, 'Imogen's Chance' was published April 2014. For more of Paula's reflections, you may like to visit her book review blog, The Vince Review.

Some new faces

As sad as Paula and I are to see Anusha leave the Admin team, we are excited to welcome a new member - Mazzy Adams.

Who is Mazzy Adams?

Mazzy Adams (Cathie Sercombe) is an Australian wife, mother, grandmother, creative and academic writing tutor, and published author with a passion for words, pictures and the positive potential in people. Her poetry, creative non-fiction, short fiction, and spiritual devotions have been published in Australian, US and international print and on-line anthologies. She’s preparing her New Adult Thriller novel, Licence to Die, for Indie publication in the near future. 

Mazzy (Cathie) has an Assoc. Degree in Arts (Creative Writing) from Tabor Adelaide, S.A. and a Cert IV Christian Ministry from World Changers College of Ministry. She lives in Queensland with her beloved husband, and manages their education consultancy business.

Mazzy has been a regular contributor to the Christian Writers Downunder blog for some years. She’s also a member of Omega Writers, Queensland Writers Centre and various Australian online writers' groups. She is most especially delighted, humbled and proud to be one of Toowoomba’s famous (or infamous) Quirky Quills.

Website: www.mazzyadams.com Email: maz@mazzyadams.com

Manage
Welcome to the team, Mazzy



The CWD Admin are also considering adding one or two more people to the admin team over the next few months.

Christian Writers Downunder has now over a thousand members, and we appreciate your contributions and the way you interact and encourage each other.  Our thanks also go to Nola Passmore, who ably lead CWD from 2014-2015, and the original founder of CWD, Lee Franklin.

As Nola said in her 2016 post:

I’ve learned such a lot in the last two years and it’s been a privilege to play a small part in facilitating a group involving such a wonderful bunch of writers, editors, illustrators, publishers and readers.

One of the things we did during my watch was to develop a mission statement for the group. We decided that the main aims of the group were to:

• Glorify God in our writing
• Develop our God-given creative gifts
• Encourage other Christian writers and those in related fields

You can read a longer post about those aims here.

The Admin team are also grateful to the blog team who take time out of full lives and busy schedules to write blogs to encourage and inspire us. And for all the CWD members who take time to respond to fellow CWDers questions, encourage when encouragement is needed, or to participate in Share Wednesday, and to share, recommend, and support fellow writers, editors or illustrators.

Please pause a moment to thank Anusha and welcome Mazzy to the CWD Admin team.

Jeanette O'Hagan, coordinator of Christian Writers Downunder

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users.

She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea (the third novella) is now available. .

You can also find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

CWD Highlights October-December 2018

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from October to December 2018

Awards

CALEB

The CALEB award winners were announced at the end of October, including some of CWD members. Congratulations to the winners. 

Carolyn Miller (Fiction, for The Ellusive Miss Ellison)
Jen Gibbs (Non-fiction, for She)
Penny Reeve (Children’s, for Camp Max)
Susan J Bruce (Unpublished Fiction)

Carolyn Miller - overall runner-up
Penny Reeve - overall winner of CALEB award.

Jeanette Grant-Thomson

Jeanette's short story 'My Friend Peter' won a runner-up prize in Stories of Life and is published in Three Dummies in a Dinghy anthology (Morning Star Publishers, November 29th 2018)

The competition is sponsored by Tabor College, Eternity Matters and Lutheran Schools Association and a cash prize is given to each runner-up.

Jeanette's short story if the story of a long-term friendship, written with past tense (Peter as a vibrant, faith-filled young man) interwoven with present tense ( Peter has Parkinson's disease).

Jeanette have been writing most of her life. She is a published author of numerous books and a teacher living in the Moreton area north of Brisbane.

Three Dummies in a Dinghy is available from Morning Star Publishers here.

Submissions Accepted

R J Rodda has a story accepted in the recently published The Crux anthology

New Releases

Stone of the Sea

At the end of October Jeanette O'Hagan released Stone of the Sea, novella 3 of the Under the Mountain series.

The Crystal Heart may be saved, but the people under the mountain are running out of food, while strife and disaster bubble beneath the surface, Zadeki and the twins must make hard choices and face new dangers to save the underground realm.

Stone of the Sea (published By the Light Books, Oct 2018) is available here.   The first two novellas Heart of the Mountain & Blood Crystal are available for 99cUSD (about $1.50 AUD) until the end of December 2018

Jeanette loves writing fantasy and sci-fi in the world of Nardva. She has published one novel, three novellas (in the Under the Mountain series) and a collection of short stories. 

Clash of Faiths

Sustan Preston has published her third novella in the spin-off series from her Apostle John Series. The ‘series’ follows ‘Old Simon’s’ family members.

Clash of Faiths is the third in the series, and as the title says – there is a ‘clash of faiths’ when Judah, is reunited with his father after he returns from Egypt and becomes curious about the faith of the followers of the Way. Heretics!

The novella is $2.99 US and can be purchased here.

It was published on Amazon in October, 2018 and Susan plan to finish a fourth novella completing the series next year.

If they could Talk

If They Could Talk is a collection of stories from a local Adelaide writing group, Literati, and edited by Susan J Bruce.  Each story is a bible story told by an animal.   Released by Morning Star Publishers on 29th November, you can purchase a copy here.

Hell on the Doorstep

Hell on the Doorstep by John and Jan Graham and Meredith Resce was released by Golden Grain Publishing in October. 

Hell on the Doorstep is a a nonfiction story, a semi biographical story by church workers, John and Jan Graham who in the thick of the Black Saturday Bushfires, found themselves in charge of the major relief effort. It's available at Koorong and other stores.

Other News

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

Planning for the Omega Writers Book Fair in 2019 continues. Please note the date change to Saturday 16 March 2018

We are excited to have Healing History workshop presented by Anne Hamilton and Writing Life Stories by Ruth Bonetti.  To keep up to date with developments, like the Omega Writers Book Fair page here. 

And save the date Saturday, 16 March 2019

Toowoomba Writers Retreat (Toowoomba)

The Toowoomba Writers Retreat is on again in  from 7-9 June 2019. 

The keynote speaker will be the fabulous Jo-Anne Berthelsen. She'll do two sessions relevant to fiction and non-fiction writers. There will be an Indie Publishing Panel; and lots of free time for writing, networking, brainstorming and soaking up the beautiful surrounds. So pop it in your calendars now. More info to come in the New Year.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements in 2018. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas time and a blessed and happy New Year.

Upcoming Events

by Jeanette O'Hagan

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

Writing is often thought of as a solitary pursuit - the reclusive artist scribbling away in the attic as words are distilled and preserved for future generations. And it's true that writers do spend many hours working alone. Even so, it takes a literary village to birth a book. From reading the greats, to teachers, mentors, critique partners, beta-readers, editors, agents, publishers, formatters, cover artists, publicists, distributors, booksellers and readers. More than that, writers can and do encourage each other to keep the flame of creativity burning bright.


There are a number of opportunities for Christian Writers Downunder to meet not just virtually (online), but also in the flesh. Here are some opportunities.

Omega Writers Conference 26-28 October 2018

Omega Writers Conference is on again at the end of this month. Be swept up by the ambience of The Monastery, Adelaide as we take you from `A whisper to a shout’ building your confidence as a writer through inspired plenary sessions and awards night, through educational workshops and supported host group connections.


When
26 – 28 October, 2018

Where
The Monastery, Adelaide

The winners of the CALEB award will be announced on Saturday night.

Omega Writers Chapter Groups

Different Omega Writers chapter groups meeting together on a regular basis. You can find a list on the Omega Writers website. Non-Omega Writer members are welcome.

CWD Brisbane Meet-up

If you are in the Brisbane area, drop-in for an informal chat at 2pm Sunday, 28 October at the State Library of Queensland cafe.

An impromptu get-together of CWD members that has occurred in the past in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide.

Omega Writers Book Fair 2019

*** HOT OFF THE PRESS ***

Omega Writers Book Fair is on again next year.  We are planning on a wide range of published Christian authors, workshops, readings, prizes and giveaways.

Saturday, 10am-2:30pm 16 March 2019
Hills Church
79 Queens Road,
Everton Park, Qld 4053

If you live or will be in South-East Queensland on this date, come along and be part of a great event.

Toowoomba Retreat 2019

The Omega Writers Toowooma Retreet is a wonderful time of refreshment, inspiration and networking.

SAVE THE DATE 7-9 June 2019

Local opportunities

There are many local opportunities to meet other writers - local writers groups (e.g. Regent Writers), meet-ups (like the Moreton Bay Meet) and Greets, conferences, retreats.



Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


Image courtesy of tratong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea, is currently on preorder for 31 October release.


Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


Find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

All for One, One for All

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Remember the image of a lonely, starving artist struggling in the garret, unknown and unrecognised until after his or her tragic death? Okay, some of you will, and some will be saying, 'What's a garret?'

According to that wise source of the hive mind, Wikipedia, 'A garret is a habitable attic or small and often dismal or cramped living space at the top of a house or larger residential building. In the days before lifts (elevators) this was the least prestigious position in a building. In this era, the garret often had sloping ceilings.'

So most of us don't live in garrets and most of us are not literally starving - though we might be if we tried to feed ourselves from our royalties (if we get royalties). And being seen and heard in a noisy, crowded book market can be daunting. So the struggles of artists and creatives maybe haven't changed that much over the decades, but one thing we don't have to be is lonely.

But, but ... we all know artists, particularly writers, are introverts (mostly). And writing is after all a solo pursuit - right? We sit down in our cave (or garret) with the door firmly closed and tap, tap, tap away at our keyboards composing masterpieces, engaging with our recalcitrant characters, patching up plot holes or wrestling with section headings, or daydreaming (hey, that's working) or reading, researching, (w)riting. Unlike musicians, scriptwriters and dancers - we do things alone and are responsible for set design, costumes, lighting, tempo, special effects, make-up, music, camera angles, and the gaffer's boy (whatever he or she does?!)- and also refreshments.

Well, yes, true the actual writing is often a solitary pursuit (though few strange writers like me don't mind writing in cafes and public places). Even so, it takes a team to bring a book into the world --- not just all the writers that have fed your imagination and inspired you to write, but also critique partners, beta-readers, editors, proof-readers, formatters, cover artists, publishers, printers, street team, reviewers and promoters. So yes, even writing is a team effort.

But what I really want to say today, is that we don't have to do this by ourselves. We don't have to be isolated and alone. We don't have to feel like we are stranded on a coral island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

For one thing, God understands. And chances are, if He has placed the passion in your heart, He has a purpose for it - maybe not always exactly how we envision it, but for something even better than we can imagine.

And in addition to that - you are not alone.

In fact, you are part of a crowd. And it's in banding together, in helping each other, in lifting each other up that we can flourish.  And how is that done?

• Groups like Christian Writers Downunder (and Australasian Christian Writers, Faith Writers and Omega Writers) can provide encouragement, support, advice, inspiration. 
• Critique groups and chapter groups.
• NaNoWriMo  through buddies in November and cabins in April and July (we are forming one now), or Month of Poetry or other writing challenges.
• Conventions, camps and retreats.
• Courses, workshops.
• Giving feedback, reading and reviewing others' works (though be wary of review swaps on Amazon). 

And if you are at the start of this journey or anywhere along the way - there are four events coming up that may be of interest:

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

This Saturday (10 March).  We have over 25 local authors, editors and publishers with their books, plus a great workshop by Gary Clark on Inspiring Humour and - we praying for a big crowd of book fans :) FB Event page here.

Omega Writers Retreat (Toowomba)

4th-6th May
Week-end retreat with great seminars and a relaxed program - time to network and to write. Read more here.

CALEB prize

Opportunity to receive feedback as well as recognising the talents of aspiring and established authors. Read more here.

Omega Writers Conference

This year run in conjunction with Tabor College in Adelaide with fantastic guest speakers, workshops and networking.  This October 2018. Read more here.

And then there are smaller more focused groups.

Omega Writers chapter groups - as well as some online groups (check the webpage). 

Brisbane group - meets first Sunday of each month (2 pm) at St Francis College, Milton (next one in June - due Easter & May Retreat). Contact Judy Rogers.
Toowoomba - meets on the third Thursday of each month for some writing (7-9 pm), but also have other events on through the year.
Sydney group - next meeting is 7th April, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at St Joseph's Centre for Reflective Living, Baulkham Hills. Contact Raewyn Elsegood.
Wangaratta group.  Meet every second month. Contact Susan Barnes.
Screenwriters group - Screenwriters meets via Skype on the third Monday of the month. People can join the FB group to stay up to date on the areas covered.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - meet via Skype once a month.

Other groups are in the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Geelong, Adelaide, New Zeland - or include special interest groups in Writing for Children and Young Adults (COWS group) and non-fiction group.

There is sure to be other groups around - both Christian and secular - and if not, why not start one up yourself?

I wrote in isolation for some time - until I enrolled in a Master's Course on writing and then, almost by chance, went along to an Omega Writers Conference (it was run by Rochelle Manners and called World Word Fair at the time). That lead to me joining Christian Writers Downunder and then, in time, Omega Writers. I can't tell you how much the encouragement and inspiration of other writers -- like Paula Vince, Anusha Atukorala, Nola Passmore, Adele Jones and so many others -- has meant to me. I love being part of the Omega Writers Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - with a monthly Skype call. I'm also a member of a secular Spec Fic group and Month of Poetry.

When burning coals are scattered the flames go out. Bunched together and they can set the world on fire.

Jeanette has just released her latest book, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories, a collection of short stories in the world of Nardva. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.

ACW & CWD - What's the Difference?

By Jeanette O'Hagan and Narelle Atkins | @JeanetteOHagan @NarelleAtkins

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018!

We’re looking forward to showcasing the writing from Christian writers in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Australasian region on our group blogs this year.

On the first Monday of each month we share a cross-post on the Australasian Christian Writers (ACW) and Christian Writers Downunder (CWD) group blogs.

Many of our group members have asked why we have two group blogs for Christian writers in our part of the world.

Today we’re going to answer your questions concerning ACW and CWD and let you know how you can contribute to each of the group blogs.

Question 1. What’s the goal and purpose of ACW?

Narelle: Our overall goal for ACW is to connect writers and readers who enjoy reading a wide range of genres including fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. We're planning a few changes for 2018 to engage with readers more on our blog and in our Facebook group.

Our blog members include Christian writers who are traditionally published, indie published, and aspiring to publish. Some are writing for the Christian market, while others are writing for the general market. Many are targeting the US market, as that is where most readers are based.

Although we focus on supporting writers and readers in Australasia, we welcome international writers and readers on our blog and in our ACW Facebook Group. We actively promote books on our blog and social media, including Facebook, Twitter @ACWriters and Pinterest.

Question 2. What’s the goal and purpose of CWD?

Jeanette: Christian Writers Downunder is aimed at Christians writers (and those associated with writing field, e.g. editors, illustrators, reviewers and publishers) who live in or are from Australasia. We aim to provide a safe and encouraging place for Australasian Christians who write – whether they are taking their first baby steps on their journey as a writer or have been travelling this road for some time – to ask questions, celebrate milestones (new releases, awards, or finishing a first draft), interact, pray, encourage, help and inspire each other. 

We encourage mutual support through social media and other means. We have a CWD Facebook Group, Blog and Twitter list. In the past we published an anthology with contributions from members, Glimpses of Light. Like ACW we are also an affiliate of Omega Writers.

Question 3. Who can join the CWD Facebook Group?

Jeanette: 

Christian writers – whether just starting out or veteran, whether writing non-fiction or fiction, poetry or blogs, whether published or unpublished, whether aiming for the Christian or general market or both, and also Christians associated with writing – editors, illustrators, publishers, reviewers. We encourage our members to share their milestones and new releases, but discourage spamming the page or being argumentative or disrespectful to others.

While we will accept applications from Christian writers from outside the Australasian area, if they have an active friend in CWD or a trusted recommendation, our primary focus is ‘Downunder’.

Question 4. Who can join the ACW Facebook Group?

Narelle: We welcome writers and readers from around the world in our Facebook Group.

We have group etiquette guidelines regarding self promotion by authors in our Facebook Group, particularly that we don’t allow promotion of books published by vanity presses.

Question 5. How can you contribute to the ACW blog?

Narelle: We post five days per week, Monday-Friday, and we set up our ACW blog calendar many months in advance. We will start organising the May-August 2018 blog calendar in early March.

I encourage all writers who are interested in contributing blog posts to join the ACW Facebook Group. Blogging opportunities will arise from time to time which we’ll post in the Facebook Group.

Please contact either myself, Iola Goulton or Jenny Blake if you’re interested in guest blogging on ACW.

We share new book releases on the ACW blog. In 2018 we’ll post New Releases on the second Monday each month. We collect new release book information in the ACW Facebook Group.

Question 6. How can you contribute to the CWD blog?

Jeanette: 

CWD generally posts inspirational blog posts related to writing (inspirational, craft posts, the writing and publication journey, short fiction and poems, conferences and events, and also new releases or member achievements) on Mondays and Thursdays. Our blog team are highlighted on the blogsite with images and a short bio.

In 2018, we are looking at some tweaking of this—with Mondays continuing our current content, with writing related and inspired blogs and Thursdays as a series of ‘Meet our Members’ interviews. We may also have occasional writing-craft series.

From time to time, we do have opening on our CWD blog team. If you are a CWD member and are interested in guest blogging for us, please contact myself or email. We also value comments on the blogsite as this encourages our bloggers.

Question 7. How do you see CWD and ACW as groups that complement each other and also connect with Omega Writers Inc.?

Jeanette: 

All three groups have historic connections and many members in common, with some different emphases. It’s been a delight to see the groups working together with strong connections and support between the administrative teams.

CWD aspires to provide an encouraging faith community for writers in which questions can be asked, achievements celebrated, and their books or other publications highlighted. We value interaction and mutual support between members.

Both CWD and ACW do not have a paid membership or financial backing, and are primarily active on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogsites).

Omega Writers’ paid membership and structure enables it to have local writing groups and to provide workshops, Book Fairs, the annual Writers Conference, and the CALEB prize. Omega Writers has made an enormous contribution of writers in the Australasian region and we would encourage you to become a paid member (it’s not exorbitant & has benefits), join a local chapter in your area, and/or one of the focused FB groups.

Narelle: ACW strives to promote and market books by Australasian authors. We want to share our love of books with readers and provide posts that will interest readers.

Our blog calendar is structured to include educational posts that support writers with relevant information on writing craft, publishing and book marketing.

We share a quarterly blog post with CWD from Omega Writers and encourage our members who live in Australasia to join Omega Writers.

Omega Writers offer many benefits for writers that aren’t available in ACW, including writing chapters with online and in-person meetings, writing contests for published and unpublished writers, critique groups, writing retreats and an annual writing conference.

We support Omega Writers in their goal to promote Australasian authors and books to the wider reading community.

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Do you have any other questions regarding CWD or ACW?

Jeanette and Narelle are more than happy to answer your questions in the blog comments on both blogs and discuss how you can become more involved in our vibrant Christian writing community in 2018.