Lately I've been thinking a lot about what makes a novel rise above the level of merely well-written fiction to become a literary work. A novel can consist of technically flawless writing, but be as bland as a piece of white toast. So it must tell a good story. It's also true that a novel … Continue reading Literature or fiction?
The Glen West experience
How would you like to spend several days participating in a productive workshop and living within a creative community? Attend Glen West! Many years ago, Gideon Strauss and I chatted about Christianity and culture. I was writing a series of articles for Christian Renewal on Christians in the arts, and he's passionate about promoting art and leadership … Continue reading The Glen West experience
Literary lyrics
Any regular reader of this blog knows that I love psalms. I love reading and meditating on them. And I love singing them in worship. But I also like singing hymns during the service, especially when they tie in well with the sermon and focus the mind on the divine. Hymns often duplicate the message … Continue reading Literary lyrics
Watering Image
Art. Faith. Mystery. IMAGE explores the intersection of those fundamental concepts in ways that stretch imagination, foster creativity, and promote community. Each issue of the IMAGE journal contains poetry, fiction, visual art, and interviews with artists. Publisher and editor Gregory Wolfe and the rest of the IMAGE folks host the popular Glen Workshop each year in East and West locations. In … Continue reading Watering Image
Makoto Fujimura’s recommendations on creativity
Well-known artist Makoto Fujimura recommends on the Christianity Today site his top five books on creativity. If you click on that last hyperlink, you'll see his five are: The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde On Beauty and Being Just by Elaine Scarry Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art by Madeleine L'Engle … Continue reading Makoto Fujimura’s recommendations on creativity
The Help, book review
BOOK REVIEW by Glenda Mathes The Help by Kathryn Stockett © 2009 by Kathryn Stockett Berkley Books: New York, NY, 534 pp. While The Help tells about black domestics working for white housewives in Jackson, MS, during the 1960s, it also shows how a young woman loses her naiveté and her place in Southern society, … Continue reading The Help, book review
Reader Research: Jr Hi girls
On this wonderful Wednesday, I wonder about many things. Most of them are research questions related to the NaNoWriMo novel I began yesterday. In three hours, I wrote 3,193 words. That couldn't be considered a terrific sprint, but it was a very satisfying beginning that put me 693 words above yesterday's scheduled goal. This is what I discovered: … Continue reading Reader Research: Jr Hi girls
Reformation resources
You won't see John Calvin bobble-heads or Martin Luther window clings in the seasonal aisle of your local discount store, but Reformation Day is right around the corner. Many Reformed churches sponsor conferences this time of year, which recharge adults' Reformed batteries, but what about the kids? How does your family or church jumpstart children's … Continue reading Reformation resources
Secret of Chimneys
Mysteries were my standard reading fare during the long summer breaks between my highschool years. Ever since I've equated summer reading with mysteries. And although I now have several favorite authors, my first favorite mystery writer--and one who remains a favorite despite some criticisms--is Agatha Christie. Last night I read The Secret of Chimneys, one of her … Continue reading Secret of Chimneys
The two-edged sword of promotion
On this wonderful Wednesday, I'm wondering about promotion, which is a two-edged sword for the Christian who writes. One side of the blade cuts with the necessity of self-promotion, while the other side slices with the desire for kingdom promotion. I write to glorify God. When I begin thinking about my name on the cover … Continue reading The two-edged sword of promotion
Glenda Faye Mathes 