The Word for Writers

Be a Better Christian Writer Six Month Program

by Michael Edwards 
09/22/15
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If you are new on FaithWriters, GO  HERE FIRST to learn all about the benefits we offer Christian writers.

Note: Joining FaithWriters as a Platinum member does not obligate you to enter this program. If you are joining to take advantage of this program and our money back guarantee, you must notify us that this is your intent after signup, as stated at the bottom of this article. You must complete the program to qualify for the money back guarantee. If your writing has not greatly improved in the six months, ask for a refund. You are the one who decides if your writing has improved. 

Dramatically Improve Your Writing in Six Months

This plan is for Christian writers who are serious about significantly improving their writing skills over six months. It requires a commitment on your part, so please pray and enter it as God leads you to do so. 

To see how FaithWriters can help you by viewing the writing of several members who have grown with us HERE.

This program requires that you follow a simple six-month plan of action outlined here and detailed further down. This program runs continuously on FaithWriters and can be started whenever you are ready.   

Outlined Plan of Action

1) Enter twenty of our (750-word maximum) weekly writing challenges.

2) Order the included rating reports from the judges (direct private feedback on your entries from the judges) on two entries per Challenge quarter. 

3) Review Jan's bite-sized interactive writing lessons that apply to the specific areas the judge's reports indicate your writing is weak. 

3) Apply what you learn to subsequent entries.

4) Make twenty comments on other entries in the challenge utilizing the same judging standard the judges use on your entries.

5) Do three critiques or more in our critique circle and post at least three articles in the circle for critique.

6) Review top Challenge winners alongside the judge's criteria and see if you can see why the judges liked the entry. 

This program will bring out the creative writer in you while teaching you to write to topic, word count, and deadline. It will also help you to get past any fear you might hold of having your writing critiqued, while at the same time showing you the incredible value in a critique.  One of the primary reasons writers fail to grow is due to their unwillingness, usually through fear, to seek and consider critiques from more advanced writers. This plan addresses that fear head-on, in a safe and caring environment. 

Writers who choose to open themselves up to these critiques from advanced writers will grow immensely. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Proverbs 19:20 ESV. 

Read Deb Porter's article: Who’s Afraid of Big Bad Critique HERE http://christianwritersdownunder.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/whos-afraid-of-big-bad-critique.html  

Detailed Plan of Action 

 1) You must enter the weekly Writing Challenge a minimum of twenty times. This can be done in six months (two Challenge quarters) if you enter each week. If you miss a week or opt out of a couple, it will take a bit longer to complete this requirement. We ask that you complete the twenty in a timely fashion so you can build upon what you learn. For this reason, we ask that you not go beyond eight months. http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-intro.php

 2) You must request at least four (two per quarter maximum) rating reports on your Challenge entries. (Reports are included as part of your Platinum membership). These reports are compiled from the judges’ ratings of your entry and are based on the eight judging categories. You should request a report on your first Challenge submission after you enter this program and utilize the advice received in that report. Following that report, submit to the Challenge a few more times before requesting a second report. Continue this pattern of submitting at least a couple of entries before requesting another report. Rating report information: 

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31273

Member feedback on their Challenge Rating Report:

"This report is like gold to me. I can't thank you enough for the time and careful consideration spent on helping me. God bless everyone involved." Francie

"Such valuable insights, and guidance in this feedback report. I appreciate the feedback, and will do the suggested rewriting. This report is like gold; I feel richly blessed." Judy 

Thank you so much Deb. I appreciate your comments and those others share as well. I am learning a lot, and I can't wait for the challenges to start back up. It has been exciting to see my writing improve in such a short time. Needless to say, I won't be requesting a refund! Michol

3) Review in Jan's writing lessons the specific classes where the judge's reports indicate your writing needs help. They can be found at the following page under Judging Criteria and Critique: 

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=39652&sid=4fee83f7aa7311f088491aecc35f0ce5

You can also go through Jan’s other writing basics and focus on lessons where you need help. Jan has an index where you can easily find lessons you need. The indexes are in the top three posts on this page: 

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=67 

4) For inspiration and to get an idea of where your writing is headed, take time to read some top Challenge winners with the eight judging categories in hand. See if you can see what the judges saw in these entries:  

http://www.faithwriters.com/most-read.php?topchallenge=1.

The eight categories: 

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31273

5) You must make a minimum of twenty comments (this would be a minimum of one per week minimum) on the Challenge submissions of other writers, using the same eight judging categories used in our rating reports. Providing critiques for other writers will help you grow, particularly if you examine why an entry did or did not work, and then apply this knowledge to your own writing. Please only provide “red ink” critique on entries that request this feedback. Eight judging categories: 

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31273

6) Starting in the third month of this plan of action, or sooner if you feel comfortable, you must provide a minimum of three critiques to writers in the Critique Circle, utilizing the same eight categories (as they apply) at the above link.  The Circle is here: http://www.faithwriters.com/critique-circle.php

Review the Critique tips and guidelines on the Circle’s main page before proceeding. For best results, choose genres similar to your own writing. In other words, if you only write fiction, it is probably best to avoid critiquing poetry.

7) With each critique you provide in the Critique Circle you will receive a credit to submit an article of your own for critique in the circle. We require that you submit a minimum of three non-Challenge articles to the Circle. It may take several days to receive critiques in the circle so be patient.

Optional but suggested. Review lessons where writing is weak.

8) Review Ann’s Grammar basics, specifically studying areas where you need help.

http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=69 

Enrollment

To enroll, simply click on the contact button at the bottom of this page and tell us when you will be starting the program. Previously entered Challenge entries cannot be used towards the twenty total Challenge entries. All requirements must be done going forward from when you enroll. 

To sign up for Platinum or another level go here: http://www.faithwriters.com/finish-signup.php 

IMPORTANT: Once you are a Platinum member, you must notify us HERE that you are entering the program and the date you expect to start. We will email you reminders, additional help and exclusive tips from the judges. We will also be praying for your great success as you become the writer God has called you to be.