Testimonials
Testimonials from Members of The Word Guild
Donna Dawson: I have gained much confidence since becoming a member of The Word Guild.
How has being a member of The Word Guild impacted me? Wow! Where to begin?
I have learned exponentially through TWG events. I have connected with wonderful people and discovered that, no, I am not abnormal. I have enjoyed the benefits of being part of such an active community i.e., contests, prayer team, reviewers, the knowledge of much better writers. And the list goes on…
I have gained much confidence since becoming a member of The Word Guild. That confidence comes from the encouragement of leadership for me to grow in my craft. The 'team' has gone way beyond the call of duty (to borrow a cliche) to provide venues for that growth. I have learned how to write, critique, songwrite and market with an attitude of keeping Christ at the forefront of my work.
There have been times when just knowing that fellow scribes were praying was enough to keep me writing. I have taken advantage of the contests listed in our Write! On newsletter–not to mention all the other great information–and had the privilege of winning some of those awards. And the members' online discussion group is an invaluable tool for me where I connect with writers from across Canada and gain knowledge.
The conferences are outstanding. Having been involved in international business conferences for twenty years, I can honestly say that Write! Canada rivals them in professional content.
Donna Fawcett, writing as Donna Dawson, St. Marys, ON
Author; Speaker; Singer; Writing instructor at Fanshawe College, London, ON
http://www.authordonnadawson.com
Janet Sketchley: I don't know if I'd still be writing without The Word Guild.
I live in Nova Scotia, where writers get a lot of support and opportunities through the Writers' Federation of NS, but there's not much locally for Christians who write. Through The Word Guild, I not only connect with writers who share and understand my worldview, I also gain market-specific information for my genre(s). Through TWG's online discussion listserv, I've been able to meet, learn from and encourage other Christians across Canada who write. Writing can be lonely, especially writing non-mainstream material, and having this online community means more than I can say. I don't know if I'd still be writing without The Word Guild.
Walking into my first Write! Canada (still called God Uses Ink, that year) as a stranger, I felt like I had come home. I didn't know any faces, only some names, and for once I knew I belonged. I've only missed one Write! Canada since then. At Write! Canada I've made invaluable connections with peers and editors, met my agent, improved my craft, and refreshed my spirit.
I've been involved in the prayer team for many years, and currently serve as Prayer Team lead. Since I live at a distance from most TWG members, I can't help out at many events, and this is one way I can give something back to this organization that has given me so much. The great thing about prayer is, it doesn't matter where you're located. The prayer team keeps up with requests through email, and within this smaller online group we've developed strong friendships as we intercede together for TWG and its members. Even here, I've gained far more than I've given.
An unexpected benefit of membership has been discovering the wealth of material written by Canadian Christians, be it in the Christian market or mainstream, fiction or non, book or article. With American-published material getting the most press, I was unaware of most of the Canadian work out there. I'm always glad to discover quality writing that's from a Canadian Christian — it's a sort of family pride, I think. Now I make a point of promoting the work of Canadian Christians who write. We're not better than anyone else, but hey, we're as good!
In terms of promotion, including my blog entries in the Write! On newsletter increases hits on those posts. And when the day comes that I have a novel contract, I will have a solid list of contacts to approach for endorsements, reviews etc.
I could go on…
A big thank you to everyone involved in TWG — from the founders to the sustainers to the individual members who are part of the community. God bless each of you, and continue to advance His work through this organization.
Janet Sketchley, Dartmouth, NS
Writer; book reviewer; blogger; 2008 Finalist, Best New Canadian Christian Author
http://janetsketchley.wordpress.com
Peter Black: The Word Guild has been invaluable to me.
The Word Guild has been invaluable to me on numerous levels, more than I can concisely say, or even consciously know.
As others of you have also expressed, I found an immediate sense of homecoming and belonging at my first Write! Canada Conference in 2005.
Through Write! Canada and other events, the listserv discussion, and insights received through personal contact and in other ways, the generosity of spirit of the TWG family has helped me grow and develop. Although I wrote prior to my experience with TWG, it's only since then that I gave myself permission to apply the term "writer" personally.
There's way more wealth of experience, hints and ideas, than can be absorbed and implemented offered by you all; however, elements percolate and filter down to improve, enhance, and elevate one's skill in the craft — including mine. (My book turned out much, much better than it would have, because of that process since I joined TWG!)
The listserv discussion is so lively with great participation, I try to devote a little time, whenever possible, to reading my colleagues' posts and also their blogs, and providing a supportive reflection. This requires a little something of me, and I hope it provides a little something for others.
The Prayer Team fellowship is very precious to me, and affords great fellowship in the Spirit.
Peter Black, Watford, ON
Pastor; speaker; columnist; songwriter; children's book author
http://authorpeterablack.webs.com/
Rose McCormick Brandon: There are no writing groups in my city, so being a member of The Word Guild has given me a writing community.
Attending the Write! Canada conference two years ago inspired me to get busy and write again. Once an eager writer, I'd become weary of the whole process of querying, submitting, waiting, etc. Since then I've knocked on a few doors and they've opened. I now write regularly. I came away from Audrey Dorsch's classes knowing God has gifted me to write and I'd better get busy and do it. Right now, I'm in need of another conference, so I'll be there in June 2010.
There are no writing groups in my city so being a member has given me a writing community. I especially enjoy the ReVision peer critique group. A lot can be learned from critiquing and being critiqued.
I look forward to the members' Write! On newsletter. I've submitted to some of the publications suggested and received acceptances, such as the new anthology Grandmother's Necklace.
Last year, I entered five pieces in The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards, and was shortlisted in two categories. I found the comments from the judges very helpful and well worth the money it costs to enter the contest. It's all part of learning to write better.
Last year I contacted the prayer team with an urgent need. They prayed and sent encouraging notes specific to my need. Praise God, the need has been met.
It takes many people to make The Word Guild successful, and I'm grateful to each one.
Rose McCormick Brandon, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Writer; speaker; women's ministry leader; Bible study leader; biographer
Lorraine O'Donnell Williams: Being a member of The Word Guild has given me support and encouragement throughout the essentially lonely environment of being a freelancer and writer.
Being a member of The Word Guild has given me support and encouragement throughout the essentially lonely environment of being a freelancer and writer. It's like I have a visit with my colleagues every day, even if it is on the monitor, not in person. The sense of community encourages me, especially when I see the courage and perseverance of our group out there, despite rejections and setbacks.
I've learned never give up. I've learned many practical facts, and different writing aids, both in theory and in hardware. I've learned to celebrate the diversity of gifts among our many members. I've learned to appreciate the personal sacrifices made by the founders and leadership to keep this group viable and open.
As for the various programs TWG runs (including the prayer team, contests, awards, conferences, listserv, Write! On newsletter, bursaries, Revision critique group, etc.), I think they are all useful. I love the Write! On newsletter for the wealth of information it passes on. Of course, the prayer team is such a supportive element.
Thanks for all this organization does and offers.
Lorraine O'Donnell Williams, Markham, ON
Counsellor and social worker; travel writer; memoir writing instructor
Author of Memories of The Beach: Reflections on a Toronto Childhood (Dundurn Press, April 2010)
Carolyn Wilker: I have felt I belonged and have been encouraged to follow my passion to write.
The Word Guild as a community has helped me to be a better writer. I have learned much about writing, submissions, and how to present myself as a writer. I have had questions answered on the listserv when I needed information, and I have been able to share from what I learned. I have felt accepted and validated, which helped me to step out of my comfort zone, including being a workshop presenter and panel member at Write! Canada. I have met so many writers who feel the same passion to write that I do. Meeting them at conference and talking with them through the listserv has expanded my friendship and professional networks.
I have learned to claim writing as a serious endeavour, so that I call myself a writer, and that I can present myself professionally, and have thus gained many writing credits. I have been reminded that my writing is a gift and to exercise that gift in answer to the call.
As a member of the prayer team, I was amazed at the strength in these numbers in presenting earnest petitions of individual members and the answer to prayers. As archivist/historian, I kept abreast of the many accomplishments of this group and its individuals. As interim assistant for the Write! On newsletter, I again learned about the accomplishments of our members and located suitable material that our writers might be interested in. As a member of the Revision peer critique group, I have benefited from the expertise and experience of other writers to make my submissions stronger.
Overall, I credit the kind honesty and and advice of gifted and visional writers. From the time I attended my first God Uses Ink conference to following Write! Canada, I have felt I belonged and have been encouraged to follow my passion to write.
Carolyn R. Wilker, Kitchener/Waterloo, ON
Writer; storyteller; copyeditor; proofreader
http://storygal.wordpress.com/
Kimberley Payne: I get the support, encouragement and answers I need.
There is no other place where I receive such awesome Christian fellowship with like-minded creative types. When I'm feeling oh-so-alone, it's wonderful to reach out via email to my "family" across Canada and get the support, encouragement and answers I need. And I have learned where to find the answers… through the excellent resources available on the Web site, the blogs, the listserv, the critique group, the volunteers, the newsletter, the conferences.
In terms of the impact on my life of the various programs run by The Word Guild:
- The prayer team is extremely important in my writing life as well as my personal life.
- I love to ask a question on the online listserv discussion and receive numerous, helpful responses within minutes.
- I keep each issue of the Write! On members' newsletter for future reference, because it contains excellent information on articles, Web sites, current events, what's happening in TWG, etc.
- I use the free Revision critique service frequently and appreciate the excellent feedback I receive on my works-in-progress.
- The contests and awards have encouraged me to polish my work to meet deadlines and improve my craft.
- I applied for a bursary for my first God Uses Ink conference (now called Write! Canada) in 2003 and haven't looked back.
- I learn more in the three days at the Write! Canada conference in June than I learn through the entire previous year.
Kimberley Payne, Millbrook, ON
Speaker; workshop leader; devotional writer; author of the Fit for Faith series; blogger
Heather Kendall: The Word Guild is important to me for education, promotion and a sense of community.
The Word Guild is important to me for education, promotion and a sense of community. As far as education is concerned, I am still processing what I learned in the last three conferences of Write! Canada. I should block off about two hours a week in order to catch up on all of the valuable links which people have provided on the listserv.
Promotion has been an ongoing challenge for all of us, editors and writers alike. A few weeks ago I had a book table at a Hope for Haiti fundraiser. One woman remarked that she only read American Christian authors. She did not know about Canadian Christian authors. While handing her a Readers' Guide, I told her that there were a lot of us. Thank you to TWG for producing the Readers' Guide and for hosting the booths at various conferences.
A sense of community is most important for me. I have achieved this by being part of the prayer team. Praying for those who weep and laughing with those who rejoice is a precious responsibility. You have become my long distance family.
Thank you to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep this organization going. Thank you to those who are so willing to share their knowledge and experience with others. Thank you to Sandra Reimer for encouraging me to join.
Heather Kendall, Innisfil, ON
Speaker; author of A Tale of Two Kingdoms
www.tale2k.com Understanding the Big Picture in the Bible
www.tale2k.blogspot.com Devotional Lessons from Nature
Fern Boldt: Without The Word Guild, none of that would have happened.
Being a member of The Word Guild has given me confidence that I'm a "real writer." I have won a contest, a TWG award, and been published in the Grandmother's Necklace anthology. I have edited both of my husband's books, which are now in print. I have a story sitting on six editor's desks, waiting for news of publication. I started a writers' group in my own city. I set up my own Web site. Without The Word Guild, none of that would have happened.
I'm in good company with a lot of other Christian writers. It gives me confidence to do what God wants me to do. And I've learned to be a better writer and editor and how to submit my work.
Fern Boldt, St. Catharines, ON
Counsellor; retired business owner; writer of children's stories
Maureen Kowal: I am a struggling author who still has much to learn and everyone is so helpful.
I went to the God Uses Ink conference (now called Write! Canada) in 1998 because at the time I had a book about grief in the works. I got in through a bursary and I have been coming ever since. I joined The Word Guild and everyone is so kind. I am a struggling author who still has much to learn and everyone is so helpful. I am ever indebted to the founders and leaders for keeping it going. You mean a lot to me.
There are people on the listerv (online discussion group) who know so much more than me and they are helpful. I never feel as if I am dumb. My questions are always answered in kindness and I always seem to have so many questions. We are all in this together, no matter what we do, what we write. Everyone is a gift of God, everyone is unique. I find the support here so helpful; without other writers to talk to about our craft, it would be so lonely.
It's just nice to be valued as a writer. And it's so good that we have each other to bounce off ideas on everything. When you get stuck, there is always someone on the listerv to help or direct you to a site that helps.
The prayer team is awesome, it's amazing how God works, the support everyone gives to each other is wonderful, uplifting. Everything that The Word Guild runs is great. The Revision critique group is really helpful; the Write! On newsletter is informative; the conference, the best; the awards and contests, the best.
I am so blessed by being a part of The Word Guild.
Maureen E. Kowal, Bolton, ON
Author of children's picture books; published poet
