The 2014 Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, once again proved to be engaging and thought-provoking.
Some quote highlights:
Write from a profound love of place…
The story begins with place.
William Kent Krueger
Everything comes from place – weather, climate, who the people are, what happens, how people react.
Julia Spencer Fleming
We will learn as much, or more, from our failures as we ever will from our successes. Tap the deep roots of your own experience.
William Kent Krueger
In the midst of darkness, there is grace…there is part of you in every one of your characters, even the bad ones.
Julia Spencer Fleming
Everyone has the potential for good, but something happens along the way.
William Kent Krueger
“It is the business of writers as artists to write what haunts us…within the territory of belief.”
Valerie Sayers
What interests me? What surprises me?
Pay attention – be attentive to every detail in describing something so someone else can see it.
What kind of work do you want your writing to do in the world?
Writing needs some provocative nature to it to be worthy of pursuing.
Reflections from Christine Byl, Peter Marty, and John T. Price
Advice is not meant to be taken; it’s meant to be considered. Otherwise, advice would be a command.
Christine Byl
Does a story rattle your soul? Why are certain stories retold? Why are there certain stories in your family that you tell over and over?
Peter Orner
Community is walking side by side with those who make us feel uncomfortable. Be biased in favor of community. Love as best we know how. Stories can provoke and provide powerful vulnerability. Part of empathy is acknowledging privilege – appreciate what you have. Try to understand everyone’s struggle. Embrace the stories of those with whom we disagree. Be gracious, compassionate, courageous. Stories interweave in sacred spaces. When you forget the people in the story, you have lost the story.
Reflections from Jeff Chu
Some quote highlights:
Write from a profound love of place…
The story begins with place.
William Kent Krueger
Everything comes from place – weather, climate, who the people are, what happens, how people react.
Julia Spencer Fleming
We will learn as much, or more, from our failures as we ever will from our successes. Tap the deep roots of your own experience.
William Kent Krueger
In the midst of darkness, there is grace…there is part of you in every one of your characters, even the bad ones.
Julia Spencer Fleming
Everyone has the potential for good, but something happens along the way.
William Kent Krueger
“It is the business of writers as artists to write what haunts us…within the territory of belief.”
Valerie Sayers
What interests me? What surprises me?
Pay attention – be attentive to every detail in describing something so someone else can see it.
What kind of work do you want your writing to do in the world?
Writing needs some provocative nature to it to be worthy of pursuing.
Reflections from Christine Byl, Peter Marty, and John T. Price
Advice is not meant to be taken; it’s meant to be considered. Otherwise, advice would be a command.
Christine Byl
Does a story rattle your soul? Why are certain stories retold? Why are there certain stories in your family that you tell over and over?
Peter Orner
Community is walking side by side with those who make us feel uncomfortable. Be biased in favor of community. Love as best we know how. Stories can provoke and provide powerful vulnerability. Part of empathy is acknowledging privilege – appreciate what you have. Try to understand everyone’s struggle. Embrace the stories of those with whom we disagree. Be gracious, compassionate, courageous. Stories interweave in sacred spaces. When you forget the people in the story, you have lost the story.
Reflections from Jeff Chu
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