Acronyms for Writers CANCELLED

I’ve been reading many authors and books getting ready for the Festival of Faith & Writing. FFW. I’m also part of a professional group called OCWW, Off Campus Writers Workshop run out of the Winnetka Community House. Established in 1946, OCWW is the oldest continuously running writing workshop in the country. I’ve presented there a couple of times and the membership is extremely generous and active. They come out! And, they are not mere, hobbyists, they are submitting work and take their craqft seriously. Finally, I am the Chicago city co-rep for SCBWI, Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. This past weekend I helped with our network house party where about a dozen of us got together to snack, drink, and talk about what we’re doing. I was impressed with the various kinds of writing all under the heading of for children. Members are working on podcasts, teleplays, poetry, novels and stories. We’re mostly working across genres and platforms to reach our audience. It reminded me the possibilities are endless—as long as we have the passion and energy to fight self-doubt, the lethargy that eventually comes when success is not instantaneous. To keep making art in the face of challenges.

ALSO check out Renew & Refine, one-day retreat for writers BEFORE the FFW.

Wed, April 15, 2020, 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT

In Grand Rapids, MI

Join us the day before the Festival of Faith and Writing for a time of spiritual renewal, creative encouragement, and professional sharpening. We will set aside time for writing and personal reflection, group discussion, and restful spiritual practices, as well as plenty of time to eat great food with fellow writers. If you can’t make the retreat that day, then meet us afterwards for dinner. Go to their Facebook for those details.