We're a friendly group! Whether you're a beginning writer or published author, Delmarva Christian Writers' Fellowship is eager to come alongside to help. We offer encouragement, inspiration, writing resources, education, prayer, and fellowship.
Some of our members bring their laptops, so feel free to bring yours.
March Meeting
Sat., 3/20/2010
We honored our sister writers' group, Vine & Vessels Christian Writers Fellowship, in February by presenting certificates of appreciation to Joyce Sessoms (2nd from left) and Betty Jarman (far right). Joyce and Betty, co-founders of Vine & Vessels, were both charter members of Delmarva Christian Writers' Fellowship. Candy Abbott, DCWF director (far left), and Barry Jones, V&V board member (2nd from right), are among those who participated in the celebration.
There is no educational module for March, so we'll be doing a Free Write. Even those of us who used to despise writing on the spot have learned to embrace these sessions. The creativity that comes from spontaneous writing is amazing and serves as a good jump-start for anybody who is struggling with writer's block.
Want to see what we accomplished in previous Free Writes?
CLICK HERE for June 2009.
CLICK HERE for May 2009.
CLICK HERE for April 2009.
See what Jean Davis had to say about our first Free Write in March 2009 as a guest blogger in her article, "Fellowship in the Word," at Vonda Skelton's blog.
We'll also have time to critique, so be sure to bring your manuscripts. Whether you're writing a novel, poetry, magazine article, short story, or Sunday school lesson, any genre is welcome. Bring 8-10 copies of up to five double-spaced pages. And remember, you can post your manuscript on our secure site in advance of the meeting (see Yahoo Group instructions below).
DCWF Yahoo Group!
Do you desire a more in-depth critique than time allows during our regular meetings? Then post your manuscript in the "Current Meeting" folder on our Yahoo! group. Here's how:
You can feel confident posting your manuscript on our Yahoo! group because of the secure server. Only approved members of the fellowship will be able to open them.
To join, visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCWF/
The deadline for posting is one week prior to the meeting. When you post a manuscript for critique, be sure to put a checkmark under NOTIFICATION, "Send a message to the group announcing this file." That way we'll receive an email alerting us to look for it.
If you edit a posted manuscript, print out your "track changes" pages and bring them to the meeting to discuss and present to the author during our critique time.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR POSTING:
If you want to post a manuscript on our Yahoo! group in advance of the meeting, sign in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCWF. Then look on the left-hand side at the menu options. Click on "Files." When that window opens, you'll see a folder for the current meeting. Open it and click "Add File" near the top on the right. Click click on "Browse" for the File Name you want to add. Then click the "Upload" button at the bottom right.
If this doesn't work, send it to me via email, and I'll post it for you.NON-MEETING POSTS:
If you have a WIP you want feedback on but don't plan to present it at a regular meeting, you may post your manuscript in the blank area. Again, be sure to post a message so we'll know it's there. Members may email their critiques directly to the author.
Grace and peace,
Candy Abbott
DCWF Director
What you can expect from DCWF
Established in 1993, the group has approx. 45 members on the rolls with an average attendance of 8 to 15 and a regional mailing list of 130. The majority are new writers who are mentored by those of us who have been published. It is an informal gathering for critiquing and encouragement with numerous resources to build up the Christian who writes.
There is no membership fee, no "formal" agenda, and no pressure, but we do hold one another accountable to see progress in our writing.
We meet once a month, the third Saturday, from 9 AM until Noon. Our meetings typically include a devotional, shared information, a teaching, critique groups, and prayer. Friendships are fostered over lunch and between meetings. On occasion, we host day-long writing seminars or retreats.
A number of our members attend regional or national conferences (visit www.writehisanswer.com for links to the Philadelphia and Colorado conferences).
Here we are at our monthly meeting in Oct. 2008 where our teaching was about manuscript formatting and how to navigate Microsoft Word.
Delmarva Christian Writers' Fellowship meeting location/time
3rd Saturday, 9-Noon
Georgetown Presbyterian Church
203 N. Bedford Street, Room #7
Georgetown, Delaware
("Dutch treat" Lunch afterward at the Georgetown Family Restaurant)
Purpose of D.C.W.F.
To encourage Christians to write with excellence in as many ways as possible, as diligently as possible. (Just imagine the impact if every believer who ever thought of writing were to put those words on paper and share them with a few close friends. From letters to articles to books and self-publishing, opportunities abound.)
To knit a strong foundation of encouragement, undergirding, and support, spurring one another on toward love and good deeds–all the more as we see the Day approaching (Heb. 10:24-25).
To provide training for excellence through seminars, publications, critiquing, guest speakers, etc., so that we may present ourselves to God as workers who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
