Since this blog is about writing, I think it is fair game for me to sit on a few links and resubmit them for your thought with a writing twist on them. Somewhat recently my dad blogged about a reoccurring tendency toward removing a line from the Apostles’ Creed. So here’s a thought: try your hand at writing about Jesus’ descent into hell.
Category Archives: As Theological Writers
Call the Doctor
I’ve got another writing idea to share and this one may be more exciting for you. Instead of a general comment that people should write about the Holy Spirit, this one is more specific. Quite a bit more specific. So if you’re interested in how I think the Holy Spirit could be powerfully, if subtly, displayed in a novel/series of short stories format, read the ideas below about what I’d call the doctor.
Filed under As Theological Writers, Shared Writing Ideas
Mary Sue
Lutheran writer Lars Walker posted a great piece over on Patheos.com as part of the Patheos Public Square on Myth, Imagination, Fairy Tales, and Fantasy. And Faith., titled, “Mary Sue the Barbarian: Mining our Inner Evil.” In it, he explores character formation in light of what we know to be true: actual evil!
Punctuation
Writing reflects life and thought, my friends, and punctuation plays an important part. Yet, how like Nicodemus! There are teachers of grammar and yet so many do not understand these earthly things. How then can we speak of what we know, bear witness to what we have seen, and offer more celestial testimony? Facebook memes.
This Guy
There was this guy. In a lot of ways, this guy could be any other guy, and that doesn’t really make him main character material. That is, sometimes being mundane sort of sets the scene to explore what’s actually different or valuable underneath. Isn’t that the point of plot and character development? But what if I told you . . .
Where to Submit
In a sense, the question “Where to submit” draws the line between the writing hobbyist and the dreamer. There’s a sense of finality to it, at least for me. It’s like asking, “Where will I lay my hopes?” and, of course, that’s truly a part of it. So, while I would not presume to answer such a personal question, for now let’s consider some of the related questions that get us one step closer to finding our place (or places) in the world of writing.
Means of Grace
I’ve worked up three possible entries for the hymn contest (six days left!). While part of me liked the idea of playing around with the famous Reformation phrases and expressions, you know, like by grace through faith and justification, what I turned out really emphasized the means of grace.
Since we are nearing the end of this writing exercise—It’s increasingly clear to me that that’s what this is for me, rather than a seriously competitive entry!—it’s been pretty good. It’s been a rather devotional experience with a nicely theological depth to it. How do we confess our faith, and how do we do it with others? What elements of Scriptural imagery and vocabulary leap quickest to our tongues (and typing)? Are there things we avoid, or things that prove extra tricky? For me, lately, I kept returning, again and again, to the means of grace. Continue reading
Hymn Example
Seven days left for the hymn contest! To encourage you, I asked a hymn-writer if he could offer us a glimpse into something he’s written: a hymn example for our consideration with a little of his thinking behind it. Rev. Mark Preus, who writes Lutheran poetry especially in its hymnic form at Revive Lutheran Hymns, kindly responded with the following. Would any more of you hymn-writers like to share and so encourage? Just let me know!
Filed under As Theological Writers, Hymns
Getting into Hymn-Writing
Getting into hymn writing is obviously a personalized road, so I asked one of the most creative people I (cyber-) know, Kelly Klages, artist extraordinaire, about her own experience. Now, before we read her compelling narrative, I’d like to remind you that there are eight days left for the 2016 Reformation hymn contest. To further encourage you to write for it, this blog will focus more or less on hymn-writing for the next week before returning to our regularly scheduled, semi-random, writing-related variety. For your contemplation . . . Continue reading
Filed under As Theological Writers, Hymns, Theological reflection, Writer's Life
Lutheran Novelists
My inner novelist remains within, at this point, but just the other day I overheard a great testament that many of us are born to weave fiction! My seven-year old was skyping with her six-year old cousin, and my niece was telling mighty tales, fraught with intricacies. Ladies and gentlemen, there are Lutheran novelists among us. But, when they’ve grown up and actually written their novels, how can we find them? Are they hidden away in a sea of different publishers and Amazon? No longer! I am pleased to present you with . . .
Filed under As Theological Writers, Audiences, Books to Purchase, Resource