(some submissions may be edited for clarity)
How I Met The Word Guild
by Diana Holvik
For years (decades) I was a “closet scribbler” and never took my own writing seriously. Then in 2008 I began tentatively admitting my secret “guilty pleasure” to a few friends. I was encouraged by a member of our church to look for a writing group and she mentioned The Word Guild. She had only sketchy information, learned by word of mouth from someone else. I looked up The Word Guild online. Read all the info, and (my memory is fuzzy here) I believe I phoned whoever was the administrator at the time (I don’t remember who it was). She was very friendly and helpful. I joined and fumbled my way through a lot of learning curves. (Never mind curves… straight up!) I had never used a listserv and it took me a while and a few blunders to know how to do that. I then took what felt like a leap off a cliff and signed up for Write! Canada. In the meantime I took another flying leap and entered the God Uses Ink Novice contest. I was shocked out of my mind when I tied for first place in the 30 and over group.
I went to Write! Canada and learned a huge lot, especially what I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I wanted to go to the following Write! Canadas but my health took a nosedive and I’ve not been able to do so. However, I follow the listserv and I have bought books on writing and read them avidly. Learned more of what I didn’t know I needed to know. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get past that stage.
I have also learned a truckload from just following the listserv and the links provided there. All the folks at TWG [The Word Guild] have been a great help and encouragement. I have made some friends, some virtual, some in the flesh. Real writing friends! It keeps getting better all the time.
I write all the time, challenging myself, learning as I go. I dream of being published. It is my goal, and despite the slow-down caused by my health, I’ll keep on keeping on.
I can honestly say without TWG I would not have made much progress, if any. I would probably still be a scribbler. Now I am a writer. And there is light on the horizon.
Thank you TWG. Thank you especially to all the ones who give so much time and energy to it.
Diana Holvik
www.connectionality.ca
dcholvik@sympatico.ca
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I can't remember what year it was, but I do remember wandering around MissionFest Toronto and came upon booth regarding The Word Guild. I spoke a bit to that lady and received more info on joining it. As this phrase has been used over and over, 'the rest was history'.
grace k chik
ydalatad@yahoo.ca
author of "Season's Blessings for You: A Collection of Christmas Stories"
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I was but a hesitant writer… My husband allowed me to take a LongRidge course. My instructor for that course was none other than LINDA HALL!!!! Somewhere along the line, she suggested that I connect with TWG [The Word Guild]. So I did.
I am still here!!! I have met so many interesting and interested writers. I don't say much online, except to request prayer. God is good. He has brought us through a lot. I am closer to getting "things" going than I have been. I guess that is hopeful!!!
My membership recently came up for renewal. Although we are going through somewhat of a difficult time financially, I chose to stick with it. I feel a sense of accountability even though I haven't been writing much. AND I have received a lot of encouragement and instruction just by "listening in."
SO – that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!
Liz Volk
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I've written a book a year since 1982, mostly cookbooks and business stuff.
When I wrote and self-published Heartfelt, 366 Devotions for Common Sense Living, the first 300 copies disappeared in a hurry. I needed a professional opinion about the book.
Was it really any good? Was it worth pursuing a proper publisher?
Audrey Dorsch suggested I contact Ray Wiseman and his team. Right off, Ray told me to join The Word Guild. Then he told me how much the team liked my book!
Now I blog and write for several devotional sites.
As well, The Big Red Chair, my book for grieving children, is entered in this year's contest.
Meeting Myself, the story of my life-long struggle with bulimia just came out.
All these books are also available at Amazon and even in E form! And all because……..Heartfelt met TWG [The Word Guild].
A TWG conference [Write! Canada] and several books later…….? I recommend TWG everywhere I go.
Brenda Wood, author & speaker
Heartfelt Devotionals, 366 devotions for common sense living
Meeting Myself, Snippets from a Binging and Bulging Mind
The Big Red Chair – storybook for grieving children
http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com
facebook – www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker
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Hi,
I had my first book published in July 2011, called An Angel Before Me. It was very well received and several people commented on the website essencebookstore.com since Essence Publishers put out the book. I am now on my second printing and very excited. Also I have completed a second manuscript which still requires a lot of polishing. Essence has seen an excerpt and agreed to publish it as well.
A friend of mine, Brenda Wood, author and motivational speaker, was already a member of The Word Guild and has had a number of books published, so she recommended that I join The Word Guild. Since that time I have sent in my book to The Word Guild’s Writing Contest [Canadian Christian Writing Awards] because I do believe I can learn a great deal from the judges’ comments on it. I have also started a blog on WordPress at the encouragement of the same friend.
I am presently making tentative plans to attend a Writers’ Conference in 2013, God willing, so will be keeping in touch with all of the advice The Word Guild offers on its site.
Sincerely yours,
Sharon Y. Greer
sygreer1.wordpress.com
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I've written several poems concerning Christmas. One titled "CHRISTMASTIME" can be sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells" but musicians seem unwilling to use a secular tune.
I had my "born again" experience about two years after my first wife Mary died, when Eric Richards of "Open air Campaigners" from Australia came to Fairbank Baptist Church in 1967. Afterwards I found I could write poems almost as easy as breathing sometimes, when in the mood.
I think it was Audrey Dorsch that introduced me to The Word Guild. A friend and I went to Redeemer College [God Uses Ink writing conference - now called Write! Canada]. I also went to [the conference in] Waterloo, but for health reasons I have been unable to follow up.
There is much more – 3 books, many poems. One book "God's Creation – My Inspiration" (2007) has about 100 poems in it.
Donald W. Dolson