Have you picked up a book, settled into your favorite comfy spot, and started to read--only to find yourself less able to focus and more easily distracted than you used to be? You're not alone. Many adults are discovering a problem with their reading abilities. It's a problem Leland Ryken and I explore in Recovering … Continue reading Recovering the Lost Art of Reading
The week of June 11 was one of those times when I wished I could be cloned so I could be in two places at the same time. Actually, it would have been nice to be in four places at the same time. The United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) and the Orthodox Presbyterian … Continue reading Oh, to be cloned, times two
One of the best things about Facebook is reconnecting with old friends, and I recently had an interesting exchange with a few far-flung friends from my school days. We talked about the word God is leading us to choose for 2018. We may all view this word a little differently, but essentially it captures an … Continue reading HOPE in 2018
The 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded last Thursday to Kazuo Ishiguro, which is good news. Ishiguro writes literary novels that defy genre boundaries and garner popular appeal. Here's the New York Times online story about the award. And here's a Times 2015 interview with Ishiguro that explores his reading opinions and related reflections. … Continue reading Pulitzer Prize Good News
This morning, two of my favorite Scripture texts became real to me as never before. You probably love these passages as well. The first is Isaiah 40:28–31. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding … Continue reading Renewed Strength
Since last March, I've been writing biographical sketches about Puritans. These will appear in Puritan Heroes, which I'm writing with Dr. Joel Beeke for Reformation Heritage Books. Puritan Heroes will be formatted similarly to RHB's popular Reformation Heroes. Marketed for all ages, it will be written to appeal to twelve-year-old readers. This is a big project that I was reluctant … Continue reading Puritan project
When you're submitting a manuscript to publishing professionals, you want to avoid written work that screams, "Amateur!" While editors may be able to plow past glaring errors and see the potential of your epic story, why create roadblocks? You may think your manuscript looks fine, but someone in the industry can spot amateur mistakes at a glance. Formatting is the foundation … Continue reading 5 Basic formatting mistakes
Have you ever heard the whip-poor-will cry down the twilight? Years since I've heard the haunting chant, it still echoes in my mind. A chance glance recently reverberated melody and memories. As a subscriber to Iowa Outdoors magazine, I receive its lovely DNR calendar each year. Each month features a gorgeous picture showcasing Iowa's natural beauty. The dates are sprinkled … Continue reading Looking for whip-poor-wills
Next time you see a writer, you may want to offer a sandwich. If you're meeting with a group of writers, bring a platter of sandwiches. I'm talking about the sandwich method of critique recommended by Eva Marie Everson and Janice Elsheimer in Word Weavers, a small book describing how Word Weavers International began as well as how to … Continue reading Critique sandwiches
An article I wrote about why Christians should read fiction appears in the November issue of The Outlook. You can page through this online preview to read that article as well as a lovely review of my Matthew books.
Glenda Faye Mathes 