March Meeting- Jane Thornton our "Grammer Girl"

What’s Grammar Got to Do with It?

Who cares if your participle dangles?

Jane Thornton does and so should you. “What’s Grammar Got to Do with It” takes a realistic look at an author’s need (or lack thereof) for familiarity with grammar. It includes a shot of relevant basics which won’t trigger that catatonic state you endured in junior high English class. Jane will have you laughing at her fun, concise ways to understand the simple essentials that will help you edit your work in progress and make it the sterling piece editors love to read.

If you live in or around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, make plans to attend the DFW Ready Writers’ meeting and enjoy the fun of learning together. Come share lunch (Dutch treat) and get to know fellow writers in the area.

DFW Ready Writers will meet March 14, 2009.

Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: LaHacienda Ranch Restaurant

5250 Hwy 121,

Colleyville, Texas

Directions: Restaurant sits alongside the southbound access road between Hall-Johnsonand Glade.

Biographical Sketch: Jane Thornton lives with the joys and doubts of being an educator. Beginning with her younger sister, she started teaching at the age of four and continues today as a high school English teacher. She knows first-hand that some of the toughest kids are also the most lovable.

After graduating as salutatorian of Huntsville High School, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a BBA in accounting. However, a short time as an auditor convinced Jane that, although the job was valuable and someone had to do it, she didn’t want to be the one. After sticking with it long enough to earn her CPA, lest anyone think she couldn’t hack it, she returned to school and earned her teaching certificate in English.

Writing fiction fulfills a life-long dream of Jane’s. In order to improve her craft and connect with other writers she became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), DFW Ready Writers, and two critique groups.

DFW Ready Writers in the News - What's Happening February 2009

So far, 2009's been a busy year for the DFW Ready Writers!

The Christian Pulse Online Magazine published Lisa Buffalo's article Something Stinketh in their January issue. To read Lisa's article, click here.

And this month, Lisa's article The Visitor appears in The Christian Fiction Online Magazine.


DFW Ready Writers' President Lena Nelson Dooley signed a contract with Summerside Press for Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico. Lena also sent in two complete novellas on February 1. Be on the look out for Wild West Christmas and Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe.


Deborah Rather, under the pen name of Arlene James is working on her Mother's
Day novella, and just got the go-ahead for book 2 in her new Chatam House series for Love Inspired.


Becky Yauger's story will appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Cancer Book hitting bookstores March 3rd. Becky recently took over the secretary's position for the DFW Ready Writers as well as serving as secretary for ACFW.

Lynne Gentry received word that one of her short stories may be published by Simon & Schuster in the compilation book, God Sightings by James Bell.


Congratulations, Ready Writers!


Do you have an event or news item to share? E-mail us at dawn@dawnmichellemichals.com to have your event posted to the DFW Ready Writers' blog.

February Meeting

DFW Ready Writers monthly meeting will be with Lenora Worth, speaker and author of inspirational woman's fiction. She has written 35 books for three different publishers. Her books have won both regional and national awards and she has over 1 million books in print.

Currently she is writing both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense for Steeple Hill. Lenora will be giving tips about writing for Steeple Hill Books--everything from do's and don'ts to what editors are looking for and what not to send. With quotes from first time authors who've just sold to SH to established writers who've been with them for years. She will offer suggestions on how to sharpen your synopsis and chapters to catch the attention of the SH editors.

We would love to see all our members for Valentines lunch (Dutch treat) as we learn invaluable information from Lenora Worth as she presents "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know about Writing for Steeple Hill."

Lenora will also be offering signed copies of her books for sale.

Date: February 14, 2009
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Meeting Place:
La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant
5250 Hwy 121,
Colleyville, Texas
(Restaurant sits alongside the southbound access road between Hall-Johnson and Glade).
Hope to see you there.

Since it's Valentines day, of course, let there be chocolate. So come see what's happening at February 14th's meeting.

Member Booksigning

Our own Leanna Ellis will be among a group of authors signing books at Legacy Books in Plano. Stop by this Saturday from 2-4pm and say hello!

Legacy Books

7300 Dallas Pkwy.

Plano, TX 75024
972-398-9888

Lookin' Back, Texas
By Leanna Ellis
A devoted wife and mother must return to her hometown of Luckenbach, Texas to help her mother plan her father’s funeral. Trouble is – he isn’t dead! And neither are the secrets she buried there years ago.


Check out Leanna Ellis' newest releases at http://www.leannaellis.com/
Upcoming release: Ruby's Slippers in April 2009

Arlene James Booktrailer

November Meeting

Saturday, November 8, 2008

La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant
5250 Hwy 121
Colleyville, TX
(Southbound access road from Hall-Johnson)

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Our special guest is a former US Marshall who is now a PI for a large law firm. You can ask him all kinds of questions for information you need for your WIPs.

Should you want a preview of the PI firm he works with go to www.mmwa.net. If you want to know more about our speaker, click on associates and then Jesse Guzman.

Visitors welcome.

October Meeting: Leanna Ellis

This Saturday, October 11.

Leanna Ellis will speak on "The Road to Publication with B&H.


We'll enjoy fellowship, a meal, and learn more about what's happening in Christian publishing today.
Visitors welcome.

We'll meet:11:00 am
La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant
5250 Hwy. 121
Colleyville, Texas
(On the access road southbound from Hall-Johnson)