Sunday, December 4, 2016

It’s Christmas Party Time!



December 10 is our annual Christmas Party come celebrate with us! Here are some specifics:
·         We will be meeting at our normally scheduled time of 10:30a with a potluck luncheon (so no restaurant lunch afterward). A sign-up sheet went around in November – if you need a reminder of what you signed up for, please contact Cathy Rueter through the event page DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com

·         Wondering what to bring? We are still in need of some more main dishes, as well as drinks, and condiments for the party.

  • ·         There will be an ornament exchange this year in lieu of a gift exchange. For those that want to participate, please bring a wrapped ornament. Members and guests alike are invited to participate in this exchange. 

  • ·         All members are invited to write a short story or poem and read it during our sharing time that day.

  • ·         There will be a short installation of 2017 officers. PLEASE make sure that Lee Carver has received your votes.


·         Although not mandatory, reserving your spot for this meeting is still appreciated for time planning purposes.

·         If you will be reading your story or poem, it is highly encouraged that you let us know through the event signup email.

·         This is also a great place to let us know what you plan to bring if you didn’t get the chance previously DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com




 The outgoing 2016 and incoming 2017 
board members of
ACFW DFW Ready Writers wish to extend our brightest Christmas blessings and best New Year prayers  for peace, joy and love to all our members and your families. May 2017 find you writing plenty of words and enjoying many meetings with us!



Thursday, October 27, 2016

You are in for a treat in November ~ Two events on one day!



Please join us Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:15am  (NOTE THE TIME IS EARLIER!!) 



PART ONE: Lyndie Blevins 

“The Other Side of WritingThe Power of Words, Characters and Stories from a Reader’s Perspective.” 


She is our very first presenter in what we plan to bring you each, Launching Writers as Speakers.

Blevins will speak from her point of view as a reader, the various words, characters and stories which have made her laugh, cry, understand her life and changed her thinking and behavior. She will share what she has discovered about the creative writing process as she read. 

She is a firm believer in the connection between writer and reader as stated by Steven James in “Story Trumps Structure,” “Developing the ability to see things from a reader’s point of view is one of the most important things you can do as a storyteller.”

From Blevins’s presentation, “the audience will take away a glimpse of the emotive power of literary art from a reader’s perspective. And the inspiration (and knowledge) that words can change lives.”

Growing up in Duncanville, TX gave Blevins the richness of small town life while the nearness of Dallas and the large metroplex, gave her another reference point to draw from. She still lives in Duncanville, in one of the few hillside lots, full of trees and a creek, in a town that was originally flat hay fields. She is a Jesus-follower and a Texan. She enjoys the UT Longhorns, fabric art, practicing her craft of writing, and of course, reading her books.

A graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in government, she spent 35 years working in a government agency in the field of Information Technology. In 2008, she wrote her first book for NaNoWriMo, and while she did finished with over 50,00 words, she also unintentionally broke every rule in all the writing books.
When she retired in 2009, she embarked on her writing career but had to take a three-year break to care for her elderly parents in 2013-2015. She’s returned to the keyboard now, “I yearn for wide open spaces in all areas of my life. I write about characters who find their true fulfillment living in community with others.” Her own home community currently consists of a dog, two cats and Japanese Fighting fish. Blevins is published with works in three anthologies.

 Lyndie will be followed by a panel discussion,

PART TWO: “So What’s this Writing Life REALLY Like?” Our panelists will be (alphabetical): Frank Ball, Jackie Castle, Lynne Gentry, and Michelle Stimpson.  




What better way to follow a talk from the lips of a reader turned writer than with a moderated panel discussion about the real life of writers? Here’s your chance to ask Frank, Jackie, Lynne and Michelle what life is like when they’re on deadline, what they do to start their writing day, how they get their inspiration, and well, honestly, “What’s it REALLY like to be a writer?”

Frank Ball - For ten years Ball directed North Texas Christian Writers to help members
improve their writing skills. In 2011, he founded Story Help Groups to encourage and equip all Christians to tell their life-changing stories. Besides his speaking engagements and writing, Ball ghostwrites, copy edits, blogs, graphic designs, and coaches writers to help others publish high-quality books. Previously a Pastor of Biblical Research he wrote sermons, teaching materials, and hundreds of devotions. He is also a panelist on The Writers’ View. His book “Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story” is a compilation of biblical information on the life of Christ in a chronological story that reads like a novel. For more information about Ball, visit http://www.frankball.org/

Jackie Castle - Castle looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she
experiences. She is the author of “The White Road Chronicles” a fantasy series, “The Sentinel Archives” for school-age readers, and newly released “Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast” romance series. She's enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her brave quest of teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. She now lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins entertaining tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. Her favorite pastime, besides reading, is traipsing through her imaginary worlds in search of another story. Find out more about her shenanigans over at Jackie Castle's Story World: http://www.jackiecastle.com/

Lynne Gentry - Gentry has always been a storyteller. Growing up on a Kansas dairy farm,
Gentry longed for adventure. Her imagination took her to exotic places to meet famous people, in order to escape rural isolation. Her story and storytelling continued from there. After years of writing musicals and skits for the Christian stage, she started writing fiction. She has written for Simon & Schuster, Tyndale, HCI Books, Guideposts, Worthy, Howard Books, and Christian Woman Magazine. She’s also a professional acting coach who trains young people for successful Hollywood, Broadway, and college theater program auditions. When this inspirational speaker is not on stage or writing high-stakes adventures, she’s spending time with her family or working the oncology wards with her medical therapy dog. Contact Lynne through her website: http://www.lynnegentry.com/

ATTENTION: It is with great sadness that we must announce: due to the apsssing of someone clsoe to her, Michelle will nott be a panelist, I have asked our chapter president, J.A. MArx to step in for her and be our fourht panelsit. Thanks you J.A. for supporting this event on such short notice.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Michelle and her freind's family.
Cathy Rueter
Vice President
Michelle Stimpson – A bestselling author, Stimpson has penned more than thirty Christian
fiction books including traditional bestseller “Divas of Damascus Road,” Amazon #1 bestseller, “Stepping Down,” the award-winning “Mama B” series, and “Falling Into Grace,” which has been optioned for a made-for-TV movie. She has also published more than fifty short stories through her educational publishing company, WeGottaRead.com. Michelle holds an English degree from Jarvis Christian College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a part-time language arts consultant and serves in women’s ministry through teaching and publishing. She and her husband have two young adult children and one bizarre dog. Visit her online at https://michellestimpson.com/.

Join us for this once a year Two-fer!

Please reserve your spot for the November meeting by email: DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com
Subject: November – Blevins and Panel Discussion
Text Body: Name, number of reservations and best phone (name of each if multiple reservations please) 


See you there!


DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
10:30am-noon. 
(click on name for map)
For those that would like to continue with fellowship and networking after the meeting, a Dutch treat lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.

And keep up with events, DFW Ready Writers new book releases, news and information visit:https://www.facebook.com/DFWReadyWriters/




You are in for a treat in November ~ Two events on one day!



Please join us Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:15am  (NOTE THE TIME IS EARLIER!!) 



PART ONE: Lyndie Blevins 

“The Other Side of WritingThe Power of Words, Characters and Stories from a Reader’s Perspective.” 


She is our very first presenter in what we plan to bring you each, Launching Writers as Speakers.

Blevins will speak from her point of view as a reader, the various words, characters and stories which have made her laugh, cry, understand her life and changed her thinking and behavior. She will share what she has discovered about the creative writing process as she read. 

She is a firm believer in the connection between writer and reader as stated by Steven James in “Story Trumps Structure,” “Developing the ability to see things from a reader’s point of view is one of the most important things you can do as a storyteller.”

From Blevins’s presentation, “the audience will take away a glimpse of the emotive power of literary art from a reader’s perspective. And the inspiration (and knowledge) that words can change lives.”

Growing up in Duncanville, TX gave Blevins the richness of small town life while the nearness of Dallas and the large metroplex, gave her another reference point to draw from. She still lives in Duncanville, in one of the few hillside lots, full of trees and a creek, in a town that was originally flat hay fields. She is a Jesus-follower and a Texan. She enjoys the UT Longhorns, fabric art, practicing her craft of writing, and of course, reading her books.

A graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in government, she spent 35 years working in a government agency in the field of Information Technology. In 2008, she wrote her first book for NaNoWriMo, and while she did finished with over 50,00 words, she also unintentionally broke every rule in all the writing books.
When she retired in 2009, she embarked on her writing career but had to take a three-year break to care for her elderly parents in 2013-2015. She’s returned to the keyboard now, “I yearn for wide open spaces in all areas of my life. I write about characters who find their true fulfillment living in community with others.” Her own home community currently consists of a dog, two cats and Japanese Fighting fish. Blevins is published with works in three anthologies.

 Lyndie will be followed by a panel discussion,

PART TWO: “So What’s this Writing Life REALLY Like?” Our panelists will be (alphabetical): Frank Ball, Jackie Castle, Lynne Gentry, and Michelle Stimpson.  


What better way to follow a talk from the lips of a reader turned writer than with a moderated panel discussion about the real life of writers? Here’s your chance to ask Frank, Jackie, Lynne and Michelle what life is like when they’re on deadline, what they do to start their writing day, how they get their inspiration, and well, honestly, “What’s it REALLY like to be a writer?”

Frank Ball - For ten years Ball directed North Texas Christian Writers to help members
improve their writing skills. In 2011, he founded Story Help Groups to encourage and equip all Christians to tell their life-changing stories. Besides his speaking engagements and writing, Ball ghostwrites, copy edits, blogs, graphic designs, and coaches writers to help others publish high-quality books. Previously a Pastor of Biblical Research he wrote sermons, teaching materials, and hundreds of devotions. He is also a panelist on The Writers’ View. His book “Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story” is a compilation of biblical information on the life of Christ in a chronological story that reads like a novel. For more information about Ball, visit http://www.frankball.org/

Jackie Castle - Castle looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she
experiences. She is the author of “The White Road Chronicles” a fantasy series, “The Sentinel Archives” for school-age readers, and newly released “Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast” romance series. She's enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her brave quest of teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. She now lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins entertaining tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. Her favorite pastime, besides reading, is traipsing through her imaginary worlds in search of another story. Find out more about her shenanigans over at Jackie Castle's Story World: http://www.jackiecastle.com/

Lynne Gentry - Gentry has always been a storyteller. Growing up on a Kansas dairy farm,
Gentry longed for adventure. Her imagination took her to exotic places to meet famous people, in order to escape rural isolation. Her story and storytelling continued from there. After years of writing musicals and skits for the Christian stage, she started writing fiction. She has written for Simon & Schuster, Tyndale, HCI Books, Guideposts, Worthy, Howard Books, and Christian Woman Magazine. She’s also a professional acting coach who trains young people for successful Hollywood, Broadway, and college theater program auditions. When this inspirational speaker is not on stage or writing high-stakes adventures, she’s spending time with her family or working the oncology wards with her medical therapy dog. Contact Lynne through her website: http://www.lynnegentry.com/

Michelle Stimpson – A bestselling author, Stimpson has penned more than thirty Christian
fiction books including traditional bestseller “Divas of Damascus Road,” Amazon #1 bestseller, “Stepping Down,” the award-winning “Mama B” series, and “Falling Into Grace,” which has been optioned for a made-for-TV movie. She has also published more than fifty short stories through her educational publishing company, WeGottaRead.com. Michelle holds an English degree from Jarvis Christian College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is a part-time language arts consultant and serves in women’s ministry through teaching and publishing. She and her husband have two young adult children and one bizarre dog. Visit her online at https://michellestimpson.com/.

Join us for this once a year Two-fer!

Please reserve your spot for the November meeting by email: DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com
Subject: November – Blevins and Panel Discussion
Text Body: Name, number of reservations and best phone (name of each if multiple reservations please) 


See you there!


DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
10:30am-noon. 
(click on name for map)
For those that would like to continue with fellowship and networking after the meeting, a Dutch treat lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.

And keep up with events, DFW Ready Writers new book releases, news and information visit:https://www.facebook.com/DFWReadyWriters/




Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Let's Talk Industry

Join us on Saturday, October 8 - 10:30a at Arlington Community Church for a one-of-a-kind author/publisher presentation.

“With over 100 million books, what do you really need to know in order to move your books? What’s your objective as a writer, and what’s really going on in this ever-changing world of print and publishing?”

 Amanda M. Thrasher answers those questions and more as she presents, “Let’s Talk Industry.”

*Reserve a spot for this informative presentation:
DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com
Subject: October – Amanda Thrasher
Body: Name, best phone contact, number of spaces reserving (names for all if multiple)



Multiple award-winning author, Amanda M. Thrasher, was born in England then moved to Texas, where she still resides. She is the author of several children’s books including picture books, middle-grade chapter books, YA and a reader’s theater titled “What If… A Story of Shattered Lives” written for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center as part of the Driving on the Right Side of the Road program (DRSR). She’s a multiple Gold recipient of the Mom’s Choice Awards for “The Greenlee Project,” YA and General Fiction, and for an early reader chapter book, “Spider Web Scramble.” “The Greenlee Project” also won first place for YA and General Fiction at the NTBF.

Amanda conducts workshops, speaks with children and teens of all ages, blogs, and contributes to an online magazine. As Chief Executive Officer at Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, she assists authors, shares her writing process, as well as what she has learned as a publisher, with people of all ages.

About Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Progressive Rising Phoenix Press (PRPP) is an independent press; unique for multiple reasons. Work added is carefully screened and chosen based on the quality of the content. As they build their brand, with all genres, they continue to navigate the publishing waters with success. According to Thrasher, in four years as a publishing press, they have accomplished the following:

Signed 23 authors, most multiple award-winning authors, some of them international. They do NOT solicit new work.
Published 75 titles which, with the various formats of those titles (hardcover dust jacket, library bound-case laminate, paperback), provides 112 versions including foreign (Spanish), not including Epub.
Most of their titles all have an Epub version as well. If they don't, it's by author choice.
Passed Digital Certification – meaning their files are so clean that LSI/Ingram does not need to rework them. “Because we use professional contractors, we passed in three days instead of the allotted two-week period,” said Thrasher.
They are on Ingram Complete, a program offered to publishers with a certain amount of titles; with two account representatives to assist them.
They print in the US, UK, Brazil, Germany, India, South Korea, Poland, and Russia, but their books can be ordered and shipped globally.
They have twenty-two contracts with LSI and Ingram. Sixteen with LSI/ Eight specifically with Ingram CoreSource.
Thrasher and her team are currently wrapping up their integration process over to Ingram's CoreSource Plus. This program combines all of their Epub files and print files under one roof.
They are now approved for Barnes & Noble shelf placement and already have several titles on local Barnes & Noble shelves. Local stores usually buy first and it’s up to the buyers in each territory.
They provide marketing every day on behalf of their label, representing all their authors, paid for by their press; not the authors. Their authors are all over the US and Argentina.

Come meet Thrasher and find out what’s currently happening in the publishing world from and author and publisher all wrapped up in one!

*Although no one is turned away if they have not reserved a spot, it is helpful for the ACFW DFW team for planning purposes; please reserve your spot today! 



DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
10:30am-noon. 
(click on name for map)
For those that would like to continue with fellowship and networking after the meeting, a Dutch treat lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.

And keep up with events, DFW Ready Writers new book releases, news and information visit:https://www.facebook.com/DFWReadyWriters/

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

“Taking the Mystery Out of Suspense Writing.”

Please join us Saturday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington Community Church, when we welcome speaker, writing coach and author, Gina Conroy as she presents “Taking the Mystery Out of Suspense Writing.”

Do you ever wonder what the difference is between writing a mystery or suspense? What if you want a little of both in your story but aren’t sure how to balance them? In Taking the Mystery Out of Suspense Writing, author Gina Conroy explains the differences between the two genres and what readers expect in each. You say but I don’t write suspense or mystery? Don’t let that stop you from joining us as Conroy shows how you can have elements of both in your story for a real page turner, no matter what genre you write.
Conroy has been writing creatively since she was eight years old, and professionally for more than twenty years. She graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in telecommunications and a minor in journalism. Although she didn't start actually writing fiction until after college, today she is published in both fiction and nonfiction. Additionally, she has served as president of her local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers for two years. 

Conroy’s passion is to inspire writers of all ages to follow their dreams by writing that novel or memoir they've always thought of writing. In addition to speaking to live audiences, she co-hosts a weekly podcast called Teen Writers Publish for teens of all ages. She invites you to listen to it on iTunes or watch live on Blab. She's excited to announce her new novel writing workbook, Release the Novel in You,  is now available and she's working on the second workbook in the series, Strengthen the Novel in You. 


Reserve your spot today! DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com
Subject line: September – Gina Conroy

Body of text: Name, best phone number, number of spots being reserved.

To learn more about Gina Conroy, visit the following sites:
http://ginaconroy.com/


Gina loves to connect with other writers so please make sure you say hello or snap a photo with her after the meeting in September. 

DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
10:30am-noon. 
(click on name for map)
For those that would like to continue with fellowship and networking after the meeting, a Dutch treat lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.

And keep up with events, DFW Ready Writers new book releases, news and information visit:https://www.facebook.com/DFWReadyWriters/

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Writing the Salvation Scene


Please join us Saturday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m, at Arlington Community Church, as we welcome the multi-published, award-winning author Lena Nelson Dooley presenting “Writing the Salvation Scene.”

Just dropping a salvation scene into a book will not make it an inspirational novel. “Most times that will just be a scene that jars the reader out of the story,” Lena explains. Come and learn valuable suggestions about how to write a salvation scene in any kind of novel from Lena. “It’s more complicated than you might think.”

Lena’s books can be found on various bestseller lists including the Christian Booksellers (Retailer) Association (CBA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

Her books include the 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from the McKenna’s Daughters series, Maggie’s Journey, and Mary’s Blessing, as well as Catherine’s Pursuit, each of which garnered awards.

Lena is a member of the Christian Authors’ Network, a frequent speaker for women’s and writers groups, as well as a blogger. Her blog,A Christian Writer’s World, received the Readers Choice Blog of the Year Award from the Book Club Network. Her background also includes experience in screenwriting, acting, directing, and voice-overs.
Visit with Lena on any number of social media sites including the following:
See you there!

DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
10:30am-noon. 
(click on name for map)
For those that would like to continue with fellowship and networking after the meeting, a Dutch treat lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.

And keep up with events, DFW Ready Writers new book releases, news and information visit:https://www.facebook.com/DFWReadyWriters/

Monday, June 27, 2016

Special 90 minute Workshop - Applying the Moral Premise

Join us Saturday, July 9 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm, as we welcome author and speaker, J.A. Marx, with her hands-on workshop “Applying the Moral Premise.” As this is a 90-minute, hands-on workshop, the meeting will start at 10:30 am with her presentation from 11:00 am-12:30 pm.

According to J.A. all authors want to hear “I stayed up all night because I couldn’t put your book down!” But how do we draw readers in and make them stay? “By cementing your story together with a moral premise.

J.A.’s 90-minute, hands-on workshop is based on “The Moral Premise,” by Stanley Williams. In her workshop, J.A. will help you add emotional depth to your characters in a way that will connect with your readers on a heart level. Come prepared to practice what is presented, share ideas with fellow writers, and take home solid concepts that could thrust your writing to the next level. Laptop, tablet or other note taking devices highly encouraged for brainstorming and creating.

Cost for this event is $20 per guest. J.A. is gifting a portion of the event to her fellow ACFW DFW members. Cost of the event for current members is $9 (plus the regular $2 monthly fee if not paid in advance). Event sign-up is encouraged at DFWReadyWriters.Events@gmail.com



Multi-published J.A. (Julie) Marx writes "Fiction that Mends Hearts." Her vision is to write stories in a way that helps the reader experience the healing, freedom, and equipping along with the characters. She writes both Psychological Suspense and Romantic Suspense.

Aside from dabbling in articles, devotionals and posting a weekly blog, she has co-authored three Christmas novellas, “The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt” (2013), “A Ruby Christmas” (2014), and “Christmas Apples” (2015). Her novella, “Mirror, Mirror,” was released in April as part of a compilation. Her psychological suspense trilogy, “The Destiny Series,” released in 2014 and her latest novel, “Family Lies Deadly Ties,” was recently released in May.

J.A.’s hobbies include painting, fitness, and nutrition. When not writing she enjoys hanging out with her daughter, son, daughter-in-love, and her adorable grandchildren. She gets immense satisfaction from serving at Gateway Church.

J.A. enjoys hearing from readers. Here’s how you can connect with her:


NOTE: As this is a slightly longer workshop than normal, bottled water and light snacks will be provided but please join us afterward for a Dutch-treat luncheon for further fellowship and networking with fellow writers – both novice and skilled.

DFW Ready Writers meetings are held at the 
1715 W. Randol Mill Rd, in Arlington  
(click on name for map)