International Christian Writers Report

Stanley Baldwin, Founder and Editor This is a sample of the free monthly email publication sent to members of ICW, ICW NET and ICW Prayer Fellowship. ARCHIVES: previous reports December 2006 1. Pedestals 2. Brave Souls Writing Clinic-Rosalie Nelson 3. Screenwriting Competition 4. Letters 5. Changed Format for ICW Report?

ICW Report, December 2006

1. Pedestals
2. Brave Souls Writing Clinic-Rosalie Nelson
3. Screenwriting Competition
4. Letters
5. Changed Format for ICW Report?

1. PEDESTALS
Thousands cheer, chant, and clap as one of their own
is proudly carried toward the lofty pedestal.
The audience
urges him up the stairway, step by step, higher and higher,
far above the masses on the prominent platform.
The media is there with lights, cameras and prime-time coverage.

Publishers huddle around the base, for they know
pedestal-people sell well.
The crowds on satellite hookups hang on every word,
for he seems so close to eternity.
Yet he feels unsure, unworthy, afraid and very alone . . .

But at that height no one notices, no one questions, no one confronts.
And so, in a split second, the trap door swings, the noose tightens, the crowd gasps.

Undeterred, the mob moves on to build more pedestals;
to encourage another of their own up the starlit steps.

But mostly to wonder why those at the pinnacle keep falling from the heights.

© 1988 James N. Watkins> <http://wwwljameswatkins.com/>.
NOTE: Jim published this again on his website recently as “A Last Comment on the Fall of Ted Haggard.” Used here by permission.


2. Brave Souls Writing Clinic
NOTE: When you send in your manuscript for this feature, indicate whether you want it to be anonymous or with your byline. If with byline, include a brief bio, and if anonymous, you can still give a bit of information short of revealing your identity.
Here's how it works:
1. Send an original unpublished work of yours by email, preferably as an attached Word document (or send it pasted into your message) to scbaldwin2@yahoo.com <mailto:scbaldwin2@yahoo.com> . Any genre, length 800 words or less.

2. Sending a manuscript constitutes your request for a critique AND permission
to publish the piece in the ICW Report, in its original version and with critique.

3. This is where the Brave Souls comes in; it's not easy for a writer to have
criticism of his work published for others to see. But publishing both the original and the critique provides a valuable learning opportunity for other members. And if it's a humbling experience for you, that may not be so bad either.

How to use this feature as a tool for improving your own writing:

DO:
1. Read the document in its original form. Then take at least a few moments to think how you might improve it if it were yours. You may want to print it out to facilitate your own critique of it.

2. Note spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other such technical errors, but, more important, note substantive weaknesses: unclear meaning, poor organization, omission of vital information, lack of focus, unappealing style.

DON'T:
1. Concern yourself with poor spacing, uneven lines, font type or size. In the process
of sending documents by email, proper formatting is often lost.

2. Think you must agree with my critique as if I were infallible. Writing is an art form, not a pure science. Often there are many good ways to write about the same content. My changes don't indicate an article is poorly done; they are more likely an effort to elevate good to better.

Plea for Persistence
by Rosalie Nelson
"...may I run without stumbling” (Book of Common Prayer)

When I wake, unaware
Of what bed, or even town I’m in,
Let me run without stumbling.

When my datebook fills with too
Many appointments to manage,
Let me run without stumbling.

When the plane is late
And my meeting scheduled early,
Let me run without stumbling.

When I miss the plane entirely,
And spend the night in a strange city,
Let me run without stumbling.

When I have a violent argument
With the person I love most, but understand least,
Let me run without stumbling.

When the details of life threaten to overwhelm me,
Let me run without stumbling
Toward Your promises, in Your power.
About the poet:: Rosalie Nelson, Palo Alto, CA Rnlsn6@aol.com <http://us.f516.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Rnlsn6@aol.com&YY=4693&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b> came to poetry writing late past middle age, memoirs became poems. She has attended more workshops and poetry conferences than all her previous college classes combined. (Her previous education was in the social sciences; with a degree in Sociology, she spent time as a welfare caseworker and juvenile hall employee.) Most of her poetry themes relate to the 'inconsequential' struggles of daily life, as this one does. In recent years her spiritual life has taken the added dimension of a more contemplative spirit. She remains active in the congregational life of her local church. Rosalie and her husband live in a retirement community on Stanford University property, where they enjoy the intellectual and cultural stimulation of both the campus activities and the congeniality of fellow residents.

MY CRITIQUE:
As always with poetry, let me begin with a disclaimer. I don’t claim to be a poet and feel unqualified to critique poetry. I can, however, say what I like and don’t like. Chances are, many other readers will feel as I do, so to the extent possible, take into consideration my unlearned remarks.

The part of the poem that most spoke to me was the next to last stanza. It, and the last stanza, have a near universal application. The earlier stanzas focus on the traveler, probably a business person. This is a much less common type of person. Unless the poem is designed specifically for such travelers, it would do better to broaden its application as the last two stanzas do. And if it is for the traveler, and must remain so for the poet’s own reasons, then perhaps the title should be changed accordingly. Even then, some disconnect would remain between the first four stanzas and the last two. I’d prefer the first four stanzas be brought into harmony with the last two, which speak to deep personal challenges rather than (what seem to me to be) inconveniences.

3. Screenwriting Competition
Claire Hutchinson, President of Ambassador Communications Inc., writes:
I would be grateful if you could pass on this notice to your email list of subscribers/members/interested parties, about the contest we are holding:
Ambassador Communications Inc., the home of Christian screenwriting and the Christian Screenwriters' Newsletter, invites you to enter the 1st Annual Faith and Values Screenwriting Competition, honoring the best in faith-based TV Series Pilots and Feature Length Screenplays. The winners will receive cash and sponsor prizes, and will be considered for representation by WGA agent TERRY PORTER of AGAPE PRODUCTIONS. In addition, the winning scripts will be read by FOX FAITH, JENKINS ENTERTAINMENT, NUMENOREAN FILMS, REVOLUTION MEDIA, DISTILLERY PICTURES, PURE FLIX ENTERTAINMENT, DUSTSTORM PRODUCTIONS, L.A. PICTURES, and SAYLORS BROS. ENTERTAINMENT. To enter the contest, please log on to <http://www.ambassadorcommunications.biz/faithandvalues.html> or email info@ambassadorcommunications.biz <mailto:info@ambassadorcommunications.biz> or call 204-292-4095. The deadline for entries is January 15, 2007. Thank you very much for your assistance.
4. Letters
From Sylvia Stewart:
Hello. We lost contact when my husband changed our E-mail address. I've just had a forward of your newsletter from a friend and would like to "enlist" again. When I was a missionary in Malawi (21 years) and in Ethiopia (11 years), your newsletter was the only writing contact I had, unless I was home on furlough. ICW has meant a lot to me. Now I am a retired missionary and a contracted writer for a Christian website. They also assign devotional writing to me, from time to time. God bless your ministry.
From Gigi Murfitt:
Dear Mr. Baldwin
Thank you for the monthly ICW newsletter. It is always a helpful tool.
As part of my final project (at Seattle Ministry Institute), I am telling the story of our family. We have a son, Gabriel, who was born with disfigured arms and legs. He is a jewel. He loves the Lord and blesses those he encounters. Although at age 16 he is only three feet four inches tall, he packs a powerful punch when he speaks to schools, churches and civic organizations about his life. I can’t wait to tell his story in this book. We hope to inspire those who read it and watch how Gabe deals with the unique challenges of living in his body. He is truly remarkable. I’ve learned so much from him.
(Your) articles on self publishing will come in handy as I finish this project for Seattle Ministry Institute. Gabe’s story has already been told on Good Morning America and Oprah as well as in the newspaper (Seattle Times). We are continually asked if we have a book about our family so I made it my final project. God willing, I will have several chapters finished by December 15th when I complete the steps of my project.
Once again, thank you for your service to writers. It blesses me. God bless your ministry and your writing.
From Cal Samra, Editor, “The Joyful Noisemaker”
Hi, Stan, Your book is going great. Lots of subscribers are getting it for Christmas gifts. God bless and smile on you.
Note: The Fellowship of Merry Christians, which publishes “The Joyful Noiseletter,” featured my book A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Old Age on the front cover of their latest catalog and also published an extended excerpt in the January 2007 issue of “The Joyful Noiseletter.” (More information at www.JoyfulNoiseletter.com)

5. Changed Format for ICW Report?

A member has asked if we can send the Report as an attached Word document in order to preserve the formatting and make the Report easier to read and to print. The answer is, yes, we can. The problem is that not all members can receive attachments. If we went to all attachments, they could no longer participate.

We are considering the possibility of going to two different formats-each member’s choice. Communications Coordinator Jane Foard Thompson writes:
Sending two different lists wouldn’t be a problem. The initial set-up would be the time consuming part. Once done, it might make the mail-out easier, if it would reduce the number of returns. (I get around 20 each month.) If you like, in the next Report you could ask anyone wishing to receive the Report as a Word attachment to reply to that email.

So, how about it members? If you want the Report as an attachment, we need to hear from you via email.

Until next time, keep writing, and a have a blessed, blessed Christmas.

Contact Stanley Baldwin at scbaldwin2@yahoo.com <mailto:scbaldwin2@yahoo.com>

For changes in e-mail addresses only, reply to this Report.
(Jane Foard Thompson, janesara@comcast.net <mailto:janesara@comcast.net> )

Copyright © International Christian Writers. All rights reserved. Revised: April 6, 2004