writing my way in
Recently I was asked to visit a senior English class at the school where I teach World Religions. I was excited to be entering into conversation with students not just as their familiar teacher but as...
View Articleon writing: ego, insecurity, & the life of the beloved
This past year I wrote a book. I worked hundreds of hours. I wrote at least 14,000 words and cut 7,500 of them. On weekday afternoons I worked while I listened to a babysitter play with my kids on the...
View Articlebreaking through: the sacredness of words
The preparation is done, the centering of mind and heart by prayer, Bible study, or walking through nature and listening. I sit down at my brown wooden desk in a dark room. The desk lamp lights only...
View Articlea worker’s prayer: van gogh: on work and everyday courage
In an effort to understand life as a writer, I often read artists’ and poets’ letters. This was suggested by my professors in grad school, who thought that Keats could help me complete my MFA in the...
View Articlea worker’s prayer: faithfulness
The other night at supper with my parents, I learned that Bill Gaither’s father worked at a factory for thirty years. Then Mom started describing her work at Amana Refrigeration and showing us the...
View Articlecreative luxury: beyond maslow
A few months ago my husband, our two kids, and I returned from seven years in China, where we served with Food for the Hungry. Soon after landing on U.S. soil, we were given the opportunity to attend a...
View Articleinterview: shane mccrae
{an interview with poet shane mccrae, whose newest collection, FORGIVENESS FORGIVENESS, will be published by factory hollow press next month. pre-order it here} when you picture someone reading your...
View Articlea worker’s prayer: van gogh on sight
When it’s warm outside and the food processing plant doesn’t smell, I sit on the call center steps and drink tea in the sun. Fifteen minutes isn’t much time, but it’s enough to remind me that the world...
View Articleinterview: aaron belz
{an interview with poet and essayist aaron belz, who recently released his third collection of poetry, GLITTER BOMB} when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they...
View Articleinterview: david wright
{ in this interview, poet david wright discusses craft, inspiration, and revision } when you picture someone reading your poetry, how do you see them? what do they think about, wear, and do? or, maybe...
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