*Note from Linda Kozar:
Though Nancy has created a brand new WOTS blog, this blog will continue to stay up because all our chapter history/pictures, etc. are on it. Current meeting info will updated here, but this blog will not have the Paypal option or the most recent posts.
Greetings!
As an existing member or past visitor to American Christian Fiction Writers WOTS chapter, I'd like to encourage you to visit the new chapter website at http://wotsacfw.blogspot.com/
You can also reply to this e-mail to RSVP for the first meeting of 2013 on January 5th, where I will be presenting friend of Seekerville, former marketing executive and Philosophy of Romance blogger Vince Mooney's "Reader Rewards & Why They're More Important than Ever". RSVP'ing in advance will earn you a second entry into the door-prize drawing.
Lastly, we have some open dates in 2013 and if you are interested in speaking/presenting on a craft or industry topic, please e-mail me at nancykimball@hotmail.com with your first two choices of dates from the calendar and the topic of your presentation with a two or three sentence description. It is not a requirement to be traditionally published to present, though you do need to be a member in good standing of both ACFW National and our local chapter, Writers on the Storm.
Best wishes and Merry Christmas to all,
Nancy Kimball
2013 Chapter President
--
Writers on the Storm
Your Woodlands, TX ACFW Chapter
Visit our Official Website
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
On the 13th Day of Christmas...Help Linda & Janice Spread The Word!--By Linda Kozar
We're doing a blog tour and need bloga-teers to host.
If you can, here's a great big hug from me and Janice (( )).
Then, at any time between December 12th and 23rd (dates inclusive),
post the picture above and the details below. That's it! Folks enter via
Twitter and Pinterest after that. Thanks bunches!
|
|
Posted: 10 Dec 2012 07:12 PM PST
‘Tis the season for a greatwhodunnit!
If you love cozies as much as we do, then you’re in for a holiday treat! From December 12 – 23, we’re giving away one cozy mystery EVERY DAY!
So light the fireplace and grab a cup of hot cocoa, because you just may have a free cozy mystery coming your way!
HOW TO ENTER
There are two ways to enter:
Follow us on the Spyglass Lane blog, Twitter @SpyglassMystery or Facebook for the latest info on the 12 Cozies of Christmas giveaway! Each day, we’ll reveal which Spyglass Lane cozy mystery we’ll be giving away.
GIVEAWAY INFO
|
Saturday, December 1, 2012
White Elephant Christmas Party 2012--OUR FAVORITE AWFUL BOOKS!
 |
| Mary Hamilton gets frazzled |
If you missed the annual White Elephant Book Exchange Christmas party at my house this year, you missed a GREAT one!
The food was yummy, the people chummy and the books . . .scummy!
To the left, Mary Hamilton's face reflects the title of the mystery marvel she unwrapped: "The Frazzeled Female"
"Bedtime Stories for Children You Hate." A crowd favorite, she shared some of the chapter titles and stories too.
 |
| Nancy Kimball & Annette O'Hare |
I wound up with this book--full of funny pictures of what to do with a dead body. Of course, one would have to have a macabre or dare I say, warped sense of humor to appreciate this book, but I love it. My favorite picture? Ice skating partner.
Below is the first book I unwrapped. YES, we stole books, though it was unclear at first if anyone would actually want to. The first book I bought was titled, "The Hair Book." The entire book was covered in black fur with a hot pink comb embedded in the top center. Hysterical. Of course Janetta Messmer brought it. Yeah, girl!
 |
| Janetta opens two old writing books! |
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| The Hair Book |
Dannelle Woody was delighted to receive "Bless Your Heart, Tramp!" Filled with southern homespun wisdom about the trauma of push-up bras and Amish starter bread, this book says what others only think.
Charlotte Holt's first book (before it was snatched away by Janice Thompson) "Miss Becky's Charm School". Saucy Southern wisdom and etiquette never read better. We delighted in the excerpts Janice read to us.
Nancy Kimball, our newly elected president and Bethany McManus, our newly elected vice-president presented the outgoing board members (Martha Rogers, president, Janice Thompson, vice-president, Annette O'Hare, treasurer and Linda Kozar, secretary) with beautiful plagues commemorating our service to the Writers On The Storm chapter! How cool is that! Thanks so much, Nancy and Bethany!
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| Lisa Gefrides admires the book I brought to the table, "Polish Your Furniture With Pantyhose." Did you know that Listerine is good for your lawn? Says so in the book. |
 |
| Writers On The Storm writers rock! |
Annette O'Hare and our newest member Susan Cottrell! Susan stole the much-coveted "Bedtime Stories For Children You Hate."
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| Connie Power is clearly unfazed by her book, "What's Your Poo Telling You?" |
Monday, November 26, 2012
White Elephant Book Exchange Party!
Writers On The Storm and Guests
YOU are invited to our annual
White Elephant Book Exchange Christmas Party!
ON
Saturday, December 1st from 11:00 am-1:00 pm
at
Linda Kozar's home
Bring a:
- Dish to share (in the breakfast or lunch category)
- Suitable White Elephant Book gift-wrapped or in a gift bag with your name written on the "From" part of the gift tag. You'll have to own up to the one you brought! Stealing is okay, (though not likely).
If you have questions (like where it is:), just ask! (There's no way I'm posting my address and phone number on the blog:) Please RSVP!
Blessings,
Linda
WOTS Chapter Secretary
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Pictures of our November Meeting--Courtesy of our WOTS Photographer, Kathrese McKee
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| Tiff Coulter and Bethany McManus |
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| Susan Cottrell |
 |
| Doorprizes and Speaker Books/Instructional Material |
 |
| Stacey Zink and Janetta Messmer |
Monday, October 29, 2012
November 3rd Luncheon Meeting--Tiff Coulter!
Dear Writers On The Storm,
Our next meeting is THIS Saturday, November 3rd, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at Lupe Tortilla's. Our guest it TIFF COULTER!!! Check out her bio below.
 |
| Tiffany Coulter |
$5/at door (funds speakers)
Pretty please RSVP. We have door prizes!
How to Get the Most Out of Training, Books, Writing Groups, Workshops and Conferences
You’ve invested your time and money to get here. How can you get the greatest benefit from attending conference? How can you get the most out of this event? What are the success habits you want to be sure to do? What is the ONE thing you need to make sure that you DON’T do? And how could that ONE thing set you up for disaster at any conference?
Bio: Tiffany Colter is the author of dozens of books, CDs, DVDs, seminars and webinars on topics ranging from writing great novels to business marketing and systems. As the owner of Writing Career Coach, Tiffany has spent more than 5 years committed to teaching writers “How to make a living at this writing thing.” She also teaches businesses, personal developers and trainers how to use words to connect with their target demographic.
Tiffany is the proud mom of 4 girls and is married to her best friend, Chris. They share an old farm house on their hobby farm with 3 large dogs, 8 outside cats, chickens, ducks, and two sheep.
Holding on to Victory
Tiffany Colter
If your business needs to connect with your customers, you need to connect with me.
Tiffany@WritingCareerCoach.com
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Beyond The Comfort Zone Winners--October 6th Writers On The Storm Meeting
 |
| Our "Beyond The Comfort Zone" First Place Winner, Carla Hoch holds the trophy that will be handed over to the next winner of the contest. We must have a rematch sometime in 2013!!! |
 |
| Our "Beyond The Comfort Zone" Second Place winner, Kim Roy will no doubt be anxious to part with the Second Place trophy, a vintage toilet ashtray! Pictured here with our contest coordinator, Nancy Kimball. |
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference
If you've never been to one of their conferences, here's your chance! They are offering a discount if ten or more people from our group attend.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
ACFW NEWS From Author Ginny Patrick Smith...
Fiction writers: Beginning on Monday, Oct 1, I will teach a 4-week online course called Creating Great Characters. The course is geared toward beginning and intermediate fiction writers, so some of you published authors might find it a bit too basic - or maybe not. :-) But if you know anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on to them.
This course is offered through American Christian Fiction Writers, THE premiere organization for anyone who writes or aspires to write Christian fiction. The course will be conducted through an email group, and will include both "lessons" to read, and exercises to perform to put the concepts into practice. The course is FREE to ACFW members! I think most of you are members, but if you’re not, membership is only $65 for the first year, and includes a lot of other benefits besides free online courses taught by some of the industries best-known authors. Check it out at acwf.com.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Beyond the Comfort Zone Contest Saturday, October 6th!
Come locked and loaded to write on Saturday, October 6th. Member Nancy Kimball is leading a riveting contest for all those who dare enter. PRIZES!
Beyond the Comfort Zone. . .
Monday, September 10, 2012
First Time Primer--by Carla Hoch
If you're going to the upcoming ACFW Conference this year, or any other conference for that matter, you might want to take a look at some of these tips. Thanks Carla for putting these together--haha--and I'm glad you built on some of my tips. Good job!--Linda
If you are going to the ACFW conference, you may be freaking out a bit like I was
last year. I didn’t know what to bring, what to expect. Thankfully, Linda Kozar sent out a
list of tips. With her blessing, I am writing a list for this year most of which I stole from
her.
1. Dress in layers. Keep a sweater with you as some of the meeting rooms apparently are also used for hanging meat during the night. And, you don’t have to dress in a business suit the whole time. Dress comfortably in clothes that flatter you in a professional way and save the suit for your one-on-ones.
2. Have business cards on you at all times. You will be given a name badge carrier that hangs around your neck and you can keep cards in it.
3. Oh yea, get some business cards! Vistaprint is super cheap. Be sure it has a contact number, your email address, web/blog address and a PICTURE of you on it. Agents and editors need to put your face with your name.
4. Clean up your FB page. If you don’t want publishers and agents to know you dressed as Princess Leia, the Return of the Jedi gold bikini version, at a comic book convention, take that pic off your FB page.
5. Update your webpage/blog.
6. Bring a binder with paper and baseball card collector sleeves in it. Put the business
cards you get in the collector sleeve, and always write a little something about the person from whom you received the card, on the card’s back. The paper you can use for notes and if it’s in a hard binder, you will always have a writing surface.
7. Also, in that binder, have half a dozen one-sheets. That will be too many but err on the side of too many. A one-sheet is one sheet of paper that tells about you, what you write and a short synopsis of what you are working on and/or pitching. And, put your picture on that too. Don’t let it look cluttered. If you are pitching several manuscripts, consider making a one-sheet for each.
8. Practice your pitch. A lot. Have a two sentence version and thirty second version. And, know it well enough to taylor it to the situation. If you are writing a mystery/ romance and are talking to a romance editor, you will want to play up the romance aspect. If the agent is into mysteries, play up the mystery.
9. For heaven’s sake, love what you are pitching. If you don’t it will show and if you don’t love it, why should anybody else?
10. If one on one appointments are open, take ‘em! I met with 4 or 5 agents/editors last year for just that reason. Even if they aren’t into what you are writing, you can practice your pitch and they can give you pointers.
During lunches there will be agents, editors and mentors around at different tables. Find the ones you want to sit with and stake your claim to that seat quickly. At some point in the meal, you will pitch.
11. Sit with people you don’t know. I sat next to a gal named Heather Burch last year who has exploded in the CBA, YA market since our meeting. She is still a good friend and has given me great advice. Can’t wait to see her next week!
12. The conference is a NO PERFUME event! However, perfume for your mouth is fine and recommended. Keep mints in your pocket. Not Tick Tacks! They are too loud.
13. Bring a suit of armor and wear it under your clothes. Although your book may be the next best seller, you might be turned down. A lot. That’s ok. God decides the path of your work. Last year, an agent told me nobody wanted the book I was pitching and there was no market for it. He told me to forget about it and focus on my YA M/S instead. It hurt to hear and was hands down the best advice I got at the conference.
14. Laugh lots and learn even more. Get sleep, eat well and give yourself some grace. You might mess up a pitch, maybe go blank a couple times, you might burst into tears and rip your Spanx at the same moment. So what? You think those professionals haven’t seen that a million times? Again, God is in charge and your purpose in His kingdom will not be thwarted by your brain, tears or fat compromised lycra. He’s a big God.
See y’all there!
First Timer Primer
1. Dress in layers. Keep a sweater with you as some of the meeting rooms apparently are also used for hanging meat during the night. And, you don’t have to dress in a business suit the whole time. Dress comfortably in clothes that flatter you in a professional way and save the suit for your one-on-ones.
2. Have business cards on you at all times. You will be given a name badge carrier that hangs around your neck and you can keep cards in it.
3. Oh yea, get some business cards! Vistaprint is super cheap. Be sure it has a contact number, your email address, web/blog address and a PICTURE of you on it. Agents and editors need to put your face with your name.
4. Clean up your FB page. If you don’t want publishers and agents to know you dressed as Princess Leia, the Return of the Jedi gold bikini version, at a comic book convention, take that pic off your FB page.
5. Update your webpage/blog.
6. Bring a binder with paper and baseball card collector sleeves in it. Put the business
cards you get in the collector sleeve, and always write a little something about the person from whom you received the card, on the card’s back. The paper you can use for notes and if it’s in a hard binder, you will always have a writing surface.
7. Also, in that binder, have half a dozen one-sheets. That will be too many but err on the side of too many. A one-sheet is one sheet of paper that tells about you, what you write and a short synopsis of what you are working on and/or pitching. And, put your picture on that too. Don’t let it look cluttered. If you are pitching several manuscripts, consider making a one-sheet for each.
8. Practice your pitch. A lot. Have a two sentence version and thirty second version. And, know it well enough to taylor it to the situation. If you are writing a mystery/ romance and are talking to a romance editor, you will want to play up the romance aspect. If the agent is into mysteries, play up the mystery.
9. For heaven’s sake, love what you are pitching. If you don’t it will show and if you don’t love it, why should anybody else?
10. If one on one appointments are open, take ‘em! I met with 4 or 5 agents/editors last year for just that reason. Even if they aren’t into what you are writing, you can practice your pitch and they can give you pointers.
During lunches there will be agents, editors and mentors around at different tables. Find the ones you want to sit with and stake your claim to that seat quickly. At some point in the meal, you will pitch.
11. Sit with people you don’t know. I sat next to a gal named Heather Burch last year who has exploded in the CBA, YA market since our meeting. She is still a good friend and has given me great advice. Can’t wait to see her next week!
12. The conference is a NO PERFUME event! However, perfume for your mouth is fine and recommended. Keep mints in your pocket. Not Tick Tacks! They are too loud.
13. Bring a suit of armor and wear it under your clothes. Although your book may be the next best seller, you might be turned down. A lot. That’s ok. God decides the path of your work. Last year, an agent told me nobody wanted the book I was pitching and there was no market for it. He told me to forget about it and focus on my YA M/S instead. It hurt to hear and was hands down the best advice I got at the conference.
14. Laugh lots and learn even more. Get sleep, eat well and give yourself some grace. You might mess up a pitch, maybe go blank a couple times, you might burst into tears and rip your Spanx at the same moment. So what? You think those professionals haven’t seen that a million times? Again, God is in charge and your purpose in His kingdom will not be thwarted by your brain, tears or fat compromised lycra. He’s a big God.
See y’all there!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
And Our September Speaker is...
Same bat time, same bat channel. Lupe Tortilla's, The Woodlands, 11:00 am-1:00 pm.
This month featuring multi-published author/speaker:
September 8th--Leanna Ellis "I'm Late...I'm Late. Time Managment Skills For Writers" Being a busy writer and mom who also homeschools, Leanna has learned a few tricks that will help you to better manage your time so you can achieve your dreams.
Pretty Puh-leese RSVP! Leave a comment here or email zarcom1@aol.com
Look Who's Coming to Lunch! (as of August 12th, 2012)
1. Martha Rogers
2. Janice Thompson
3. Linda Kozar
4. Annette O'Hare
5. Leanna Ellis
6. Ann Wilds
7. Lisa Gefrides
8. Nancy Kimball
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Saturday, August 11th Author/Speaker--Rebecca Yauger
Mark your calendars for our next WOTS luncheon/workshop meeting, Saturday, August 11th featuring Author/Speaker
Becky Yauger. Her topic is "Attitude and the Social Media," something every author needs to know A LOT more about. Bring a notebook and a good appetite to Lupe Tortilla's.
LOOK WHO'S COMING
SO FAR:
2. Martha Rogers
3. Janice Thompson
4. Annette O'Hare
5. Donna Pyle
6. Tedie Minor
7. Mary Hamilton
8. Mary Foster
9. Beth Powell
10. Ann Wilds
11. Kathrese McGee
12. Janetta Messmer
13. Kim Roy
14. Kimberley Vogel
15. Alene Dunne
16. Lisa Gefrides
17. Nancy Kimball
10. Ann Wilds
11. Kathrese McGee
12. Janetta Messmer
13. Kim Roy
14. Kimberley Vogel
15. Alene Dunne
16. Lisa Gefrides
17. Nancy Kimball
*as of August 10th
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Gate Beautiful--July 19th, 2012, 12:00-2:00 CST 07/19 by Red River Radio | Blog Talk Radio
Gate Beautiful--July 19th, 2012, 12:00-2:00 CST 07/19 by Red River Radio | Blog Talk Radio
Two Writers On The Storm are hosts on this show! Linda Kozar and Carla Hoch. Hope you'll listen in and call to ask questions this Thursday! We'd love to hear from our peeps.
Guests include:
Amy Clipston--an award-winning author of Amish novels. (Host: Linda Kozar)
Jeanette Sharp--former WOTS member and author of Hurray God (some of our members have their stories in her book) (Host: Sharon Leaf)
Jeff Gerke--Ever heard of Marcher Lord Press? He's the editor. (Host: Carla Hoch)
Andrea Boeshaar--Author of Everything, well almost. She's a founding member of ACFW, writes romance both contemporary and historical as well as nonfic. (Host: Lena Nelson Dooley)
For upcoming show links and dates visit our Gate Beautiful Radio Show Blog:
http://gatebeautifulradio.blogspot.com
Two Writers On The Storm are hosts on this show! Linda Kozar and Carla Hoch. Hope you'll listen in and call to ask questions this Thursday! We'd love to hear from our peeps.
Guests include:
Amy Clipston--an award-winning author of Amish novels. (Host: Linda Kozar)
Jeanette Sharp--former WOTS member and author of Hurray God (some of our members have their stories in her book) (Host: Sharon Leaf)
Jeff Gerke--Ever heard of Marcher Lord Press? He's the editor. (Host: Carla Hoch)
Andrea Boeshaar--Author of Everything, well almost. She's a founding member of ACFW, writes romance both contemporary and historical as well as nonfic. (Host: Lena Nelson Dooley)
For upcoming show links and dates visit our Gate Beautiful Radio Show Blog:
http://gatebeautifulradio.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Patriotic Flash Fiction Contest Winners
 |
| Annette O'Hare--First Place Winner |
 |
| Nancy Kimball-2nd Place |
 |
| Alene Dunn--4th Place |
 |
| Lisa Gefrides--3rd Place |
What fun we had on Saturday, July 7th!!! Our Patriotic Flash Fiction Contest had eight entries but a monumental amount of talent. We enjoyed each of every submission this year.
Look forward to information about our next contest--the Second Annual Category Five Writing Contest!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12th, 2012 Meeting Pictures (Courtesy of our Chapter Photographer Kathrese McGee) --Enjoy!
 |
| YA Writer Laura Kurk with Author/Speaker Lynette Sowell |
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| Author/Speaker Lynette Sowell |
 |
| Nancy Kimball, Bethany Shaw McManus and Laura Kurk |
 |
| Mama Rose (Linda's Mommy), Linda Kozar, Laura Kurk |
 |
| Our marvelous writers!!! |
 |
| Martha Rogers, President, Writers On The Storm Chapter |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Category 5 Winners Announced at:
the Meet The Christian Authors Event!
Writers On The Storm presents...
Category Five Writing Contest
Patrick Scott--May 7th Speaker
Christian Comic Book Author
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