“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” – Martin Luther.
Word Weavers International is a nonprofit community designed specifically for people who pick up their pens and write (or to update Luther’s quote − put fingers to the keyboard and type). The mission is to help members find their unique voice, strive for excellence and raise the quality of the member’s writing to a publishable level through critique groups and educational conferences, which include opportunities to learn from and meet with professionals.
We are privileged to have a Woodstock chapter, dedicated to providing a forum for Christian writers to connect and be a part of face-to-face critiques. Online groups are available for those who aren’t near a local chapter.
“The best part of Word Weavers is that we help fellow writers improve their writing. As we critique each other’s work, we learn, grow and build our writing skills,” said Frieda Dixon, Word Weavers Woodstock president.
Highlights of a critique group meeting.
• Groups are assigned according to the word count of manuscripts submitted.
• Critiques begin after a short time of fellowship. Person to your right reads your piece and the person to your left starts the critique, continuing until all have given input.
• All critiques are done in a brief, to-the-point manner using the sandwich technique. Constructive criticism “sandwiched” with encouragement that reveals the best of the most effective parts of the piece.
• The person being critiqued remains silent unless asked a direct question, and doesn’t defend his or her work.
Word Weavers began in March 1997, when five members of Northland Church in Longwood, Florida, gathered around a dining room table, eager to encourage one another in the art of writing. The group grew, became an arm of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, and expanded to 31 chapters. Many of the members are best-selling, award-winning authors. In 2012, the leadership realized that Word Weavers would best serve its members as a nonprofit organization. Currently, there are close to 1,000 members across the globe, with 55 traditional chapters and more than 30 online groups.
“When I think of what God has done with and through Word Weavers International, and how He has entrusted me and those who work with me, I am left nearly speechless, and for a wordsmith that’s frightening!” said founding member and President Eva Marie Everson. “God truly does takes the least qualified and makes them able and he sees to fruition his plans, whether we are aware of it at the time or not.”
Are you a writer with a story in your drawer, file cabinet, or in your heart, that needs to come out? Or, do you know one you could tell about Word Weavers? Word Weavers welcomes writers of all levels.
Anyone interested in attending can visit two sessions for free before membership is required. Annual membership is $45 and can be completed online. For more information, contact Woodstock chapter president Frieda Dixon at friedas@bellsouth.net. Come early to network. If you are willing to travel a bit, there are other Atlanta chapters as well (Roswell and Brookhaven). For more information, a chapter locator, conference details and more, visit: www.word-weavers.com.
Word Weavers Woodstock
Meets 6:30-9 p.m. on the third Monday each month at
Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road.
www.word-weavers.com
– Susan Schulz, wife, mom, writer and mentor who lives and plays along the Etowah River in Canton. She loves serving at Woodstock City Church.
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