in case you’ve missed the buzz, here’s just a few things being said about “making manifest: on faith, creativity, and the kingdom at hand”…

posts by bloggers…

teddy ray

glynn young’s ‘faith, fiction, and friends’

addie zierman’s ‘how to talk evangelical’

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interviews with harrity…

sojourn arts + culture

rock & sling

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posts by harrity…

five rules for believing writers at forma

{an interview with writer, David Ebenbach}

when you picture someone reading your writing, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

Well, when I’m in the midst of writing, I try not to picture anyone—except my characters, anyway. Otherwise it’s like I’m sitting at my computer while a roomful of people stares awkwardly at me. Once I’m done writing, however, I do think about readers. I somewhat sympathize with Mary Oliver, who wrote, “I write poems for a stranger who will be born in some distant country hundreds of years from now.” In other words, I like to think that my work touches enough of the universal that it can be meaningful to people in … Read More »

when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that I tend to write in short arcs and that I am madly in love with the chapbook. I think of the chapbook as a working-class, accessible means of getting poetry (or even fiction and non-fiction) into the hands of those who may not have the time or money to consume an entire book of poetry. So I feel like I’m writing for those people that crave a satisfying little holiday into poetry, something they can read on their lunch break or while the kids are napping, that feels complete, and that … Read More »

{ANTLER author tania runyan interview karen swallow prior, author of booked: literature in the soul of me, t.s. poetry press, 2012}

It’s embarrassing for me to recount, but when I was still young in my faith, I questioned whether I could major in English or writing. My thinking went like this: If I’m either for God or against him, and if most texts studied in literature courses are written by nonbelievers, then I’d be spending my days studying words against God. With the help of some spiritual mentors, I was able to free myself from that burden (although I still taped over all my secular albums with Keith Green). But many people go through their entire lives paralyzed by their perceived need to choose between right and wrong in every situation: what to read, what to watch and listen to, even … Read More »

{an interview with poet, Amy George.}

when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

In my mind, they are Christian young adults and older adults, both ministers and regular Joes. They are contemplative and love a good cup of coffee or tea, a walk outdoors, and a little time to themselves.

They love the Psalms as much as I do.

how do you use poetry as a practice for spiritual exploration, discipline, or growth? can you offer any practical advice or sure-fire practices for folks interested in allowing writing to inform their spiritual discipline?

Poetry is reactionary for me. It’s spiritual exploration and growth. It helps me to explore characters in … Read More »

{an interview with professor and poet, Brett Foster, who discusses what is behind his creative process.}

when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

Wow, I do care about readers and wish to have them, and find it gratifying when I hear from them, but I really haven’t thought about the question in quite this way. I’ve always enjoyed about poetry that it’s a “low-admission-fee” kind of genre, despite its intimidating reputation. I love that you can pick up a poetry book, read a few poems, think about whether or not you’ve liked what you’ve read, and either read a few more or put it down. Or read … Read More »

when you picture someone reading writing, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

I write for the wounded ones and for the wounded places in my own heart.

When I began writing my memoir at Hamline University, I was very angry with Christians, with “the church people,” as I called them then. They had hurt me in deep ways, failed me in my darkest moments, and as I wrote about it, I found that every single person in my classes could relate. Everyone has an old hurt from a person of faith, everyone has a story.

I hope my writing appeals across the board, but the people that are the closest to my heart are … Read More »

{vixen of verse sarah m. wells discusses her practices, habits, and ideas about poetry. go ahead and leave us a comment! better yet, take her advice and google image or flickr search on an “emotion” word, write a reflective haiku (3 lines of counted syllables–5 syllables, 7 syallables, 5 syllables), and post it to our facebook page, or below in the comments! take a few minutes out of your day to make something, however small.}

when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

My imaginary reader is reclining in a lawn chair with a glass of sweet tea, enjoying my poems accompanied by a summer breeze.  My hope … Read More »

when you picture someone reading your work, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe a better way to say it: who do you write for? and how do you see your writing nourishing others?

My readers include anyone who is genuinely interested in the spiritual and philosophical journey. Since much of my work focuses on Judaism and Jewish philosophy, many of my readers are Jewish. Some are very committed, Orthodox Jews, but others are less traditional. But I also have many Christian readers. Since the book is very philosophical, it is not light reading and therefore not everybody’s cup of tea. But, since my newest book, “The Conversation,” is a novel, it allows the reader to follow the main character through a spiritual and philosophical journey that is also intensely personal. Some of my … Read More »

[the following is part two of Callid Keefe-Perry's interview about his new film "Made As Makers." you can read part one here. if you believe in the vision of the movie, please circulate these materials around your religious community! the film is free, accessible, and a great tool for starting discussion about faith, imagination, and making art.]

in your mind, what aspects of creativity most effectively bring the Kingdom of God into our reality–what do you do to make this Kingdom revealed in your own life?

I don’t actually think about it this way. I mean, the way the question is asked is a very normal way of asking things: Which kinds of X are good at getting us to Y? This seems upside-down when thinking about how God (and how God’s / kairos time) works. Things do not map … Read More »