We've Added INFORMATIONAL PAGES

Hello all,
If you will look to the right, just under the heading bar, you will see a new section on the blog..."INFORMATIONAL PAGES". In this area you can find the Writing Conference Registration Form and the Writing Contests and Guidelines. There is a comment at the bottom of the registration form with instructions for printing. I will do my best to get these documents put on the LRACW website and the Facebook page so they will be easy to find.

I hope you have decided to submit some of your writing to one or more of the contests. 

Keep reading. Keep writing.

APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

I love poetry.  The title deserves all caps. Who is your favorite poet? Do you have a favorite poem?  LRACW also has a poetry contest you can enter at our Writers Conference. The deadline for entries is April 22.   Come on, get writing.  

It is my goal to read and write poetry every day during April.  Since Haiku is one of my favorite forms, I like to sit on the patio and write about what I observe in my own back yard.  Here's one I really like... it just makes me smile:

The bird ate the worm

Stretched it right out of the ground

Early bird, late worm

There now, didn't that make you smile.  Poetry should be enjoyable. And another:

Icicles hang steep

Water trapped in frozen form

Winter's jagged teeth

You can find all kinds of poetry online. You don't even have to buy the books.  Joyce Kilmer's poem, Trees is so lovely I carry it around with me. 

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree. 

I was in Michigan one summer and some of us decided to go on a tour of several Victorian homes. They were wonderful.  Well maintained. Beautifully furnished.  Made you want to just sit and read awhile.  But at the last house I stepped out onto the back porch, and there, in the back yard, was the most magnificent, majestic tree I've ever seen.  They told us it was a  live oak tree, about 200 years old, and it was coming to the end of its lifespan.  I'm not sure, but I imagine Joyce Kilmer saw a tree that affected her the same way as this live oak affected me.  My thought at that time was that anyone can build a house, but only God can make a tree.  

And lets not forget about the poetry in the Bible:  in Psalms.  Find it. Read it.  Let it speak to your heart as living poetry does.  

Find and read a poem a day.  Then find someone to share it with.  

Keep reading.  Keep writing

Contest Opportunities Fiction & Non-Fiction

We have FIVE contest opportunities at our Writers Conference this year.

The SUBMISSION DEADLINE is April 22, either emailed or postmarked.

The Arnold Family Foundation has graciously funded both our fiction and non-fiction categories again this year.
We want to encourage you to write and submit in these categories.
The Fiction category is 1500-2000 words.
The Non-Fiction is 750-1200 words.

As long as it hasn’t been published you can use something you are already working on. Go through your recent writings and find something that you like well enough to polish and revise — and submit it to dotlatjohn@gmail.com   or to Dorothy Johnson, 11260 Rivercrest Dr., Little Rock, AR 72213.  Be sure to follow the submission guidelines.  

Keep reading. Keep writing

Contest Opportunities and Rules & A Writing Prompt

This a copy & paste version of the Contest catagories and the rules.  I want these out up front so you have time to write, revise and write some more. When you have buffed and polished your entry you can either email dotlatjohn@gmail.com or snail-mail (US Post Office) it to Dorothy Johnson.  She will ensure that the entries get to the proper judges by the correct date. 
I will need to find her mailing address.... sigh.  I thought I had it handy...

Little Rock American Christian Writers

2014 Writing Contest

 We would like to invite you to participate in our annual writing contest. Some of the categories have been named after our generous sponsors. Please visit their websites to see what they are working on right now and browse their archives.

 Contest 1: The Arnold Family Foundation Fiction Contest

     ·         1,500 to 2,000 words
     ·         Prizes--$50 first place; $25 second place; $15 third place

 Contest 2:  The Arnold Family Foundation Non-Fiction Contest

     ·         750 to 1,200 words
     ·         Prizes--$50 first place; $25 second place; $15 third place

Contest 3: StoryWriting Studio Humorous Memoir Contest:  (sponsored by Karen Jordan and The StoryWriting Studio) http://storywritingstudio.wordpress.com

     ·         Write a funny story about a person, place, or an event from your personal life.
     ·         1,000 words or less
     ·         Prizes--$25 first place; $15 second place; $10 third place

Contest 4: Devotional (sponsored by Dorothy Johnson)
 www.reflectionsfromdorothy.blogspot.com
     ·         Write on the Subject: “You are a Letter from God” 2 Corinthians 3:3
     ·         500 words or less
     ·         Prizes--$25 first place; $15 second place; $10 third place

Contest 5:  Poetry
     ·         12-48 lines
     ·         Prizes--$25 first place; $15 second place; $10 third place

WRITING PROMPT:

There, is that big enough to catch your eye?? I'll try to find a way that is identifiable and not so loud to look at. But for today here we go:  The theme for March is NEW LIFE

The power to change is in my hands.”
― Helen M. Ryan,   
In this instance, Ms. Ryan's book is about a new body in 21 days. 

Connect this statement to your writing, your writing life. Think about it: how has writing changed you or cemented you or grounded you or challenged you? In regards to your writing How is the power to change in your hands. Do you agree with the statement? Write a journal entry. You determine the length.  Find someone you are comfortable with and share your thoughts.

I'm going to write on this topic too. 

Keep Reading. Keep Writing.