This Side of the Pulpit » Writing&Books
Hilarious Book Promo
This is what to do with bad reviews and criticism! It definitely makes me want to read it, though I’m not sure why. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
Book Review:Principle of the Path
Principle of the Pathby Andy Stanley is the latest book I’m reviewing as part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program. I actually received the book and read it months ago. I’ve finally decided to write the review and put the book far behind me. I’m sure Stanley is a good pastor. By the way he writes, he’s an engaging preacher. Principle of the Path, however, is not a good book. Tone: I made the mistake of looking at the back jacket and seeing his publicity photo. He wore a casual shirt and looks twelve years old. Now, I’ve had a few people in my parish suggest that I’m young, and perhaps not old enough to be wise. It’s irritating. One doesn’t have to be advanced in years to give good pastoral … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
The Simple Life
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail. Henry David Thoreau … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
Life Needs Revision
Nobody like to make revisions. We think that the words should come out right the first time. We imagine writers sitting down, finished novels flowing from their pens. We like the illusion of getting everything right the first time. Life doesn’t afford revisions after all. We get one chance to speak, one chance to help, one chance to pick up the ball or drop. We live moment-by-moment and never have a chance to go back and do things over. Life is like that, but writing is all about revision. The true first draft is in your head, of course. The second gets typed into the computer. The third is the [del] key. The fourth is the actual hard-core revision or re-write. The fifth is the minor revisions. The sixth is the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Writing&Books
While the Main Post is Being Edited…
My post on “Revision and Repentance” needed more of the first, and perhaps some of the latter. Meanwhile, check out this link which is too cool not to share. It provides analysis and further links to early drafts of the script for Star Wars. It’s a great illustration on the power of revision. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Writing&Books
Can’t…Find…Blog…Idea…
Ugh. Writer’s block. Having trouble working on the sermon for next Sunday. Having trouble posting here. So when a writer’s got block, what does he write about? You guessed it! A few reasons for writer’s block: Lack of inspiration. Inadequacy to complete the project Depression Distraction Illness Fear Of these, the second and last are the most damaging. Freewriting exercises can overcome the first issue. Anything from prayer to push-ups to Prozac can cure number three. Distraction is serious, but you can train yourself out of it. Illnesses pass, or don’t. If the latter, writing may be the least of your worries. But if you have block because you’re in over your head, it can quickly kill a project. Example: please provide a thirty-page outline for a fantasy epic that embraces Zen Buddhism with Norse mythology. Make it compelling and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
“Do or Do not, There is No Try”
I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. Leonardo da Vinci Likewise says St. James, “Be doers of the Word and not just hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). On this note I am setting another outrageous writing goal for my own self: 40,000 words on my current project due June 21. Over a month to finish my barely-begun, second unpublished, not-very-good novel. I’m going to try to find a widget of some sort to place in the sidebar here to track my progress. All this to keep me accountable. Wish me luck! For bonus points, identify the speaker of the quote in the title… … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal, Writing&Books
Luther’s Works, American Edition to be Expanded by CPH
Concordia Publishing House just announced they are preparing additional volumes of Luther’s Works. This is an expansion of the American Edition, previously published by CPH and Fortress Press (now Augsburg Fortress). They plan to publish volumes 55-75, the first being released later this year. More information can be found on this page. Currently only about 1/3 of Luther’s Works are available in English. All of them are collected in the Weimar Ausgabe, printed in Latin and German (the two languages in which Luther wrote). … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology, Writing&Books
Living in a Transparent World | Michael Hyatt
Living in a Transparent World | Michael Hyatt. He concludes the post this way, writing about the publishing industry, but applicable to all of us: Commit to total transparency. Because of technology, you don’t really have a choice. You might as well embrace it now; it’s a much easier way to live. You will never have to worry that someone is going to discover something about you that you don’t first reveal. Be the first to “air dirty laundry.” If you break the news, you control the story. For example, one of my authors was recently arrested. He made an honest mistake, and it could have happened to anyone. But he immediately blogged about it, and took the wind out of the media’s sails. No one could accuse him of covering it up, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
Book Review:The Noticer
My Father was visiting over Easter, and ironically enough, noticed the review copy of The Noticer I had received. Dad is not a big reader. The books he reads he really seems to enjoy, but most of the time he enjoys so many other things more than reading. But with time on his hands, he read it and was very impressed with the “common sense” proverbs Andrews relates by weaving them around the story of “Jones,” a magical man who appears at just the right time with the right words of wisdom to those in need. My dad was amazed at the simple wisdom in such sayings as “You see shrimp and crawfish. I see Surf and Turf.” My mother laughed at him, saying, “Have you never read a self-help book?” … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writing&Books
Books!
Networked Blogs
Recent Comments
- Carl Vehse on The Horror! The Horror!
"Dixie, you are right. Scientific study that backs up the claim that alcohol and…" - Dixie on The Horror! The Horror!
"...The potential for spread of infection during this religious ritual does ex…" - Carl Vehse on The Horror! The Horror!
""I teach them that faith believes we will receive only good from the cup of t…" - Steven Anderson on Angry Faces
"You will never see a smiling runner. Ever. World without end. Why? Because runni…" - Christopher Hall on Angry Faces
"The hinged knee braces or the knee supports/brace without a hinge?…"