The -Ilities

In his recent book Writing for the Soul, author Jerry B. Jenkins lists what he calls "the -ilities." These are what he considers essential characteristics for a godly writer to model. 

 

First, a good writer displays HUMILITY.

Second, a good writer reflects TEACHABILITY.

Third, a good writer models COACHABILITY. 

Fourth, a good writer offers AVAILABILITY.

Fifth, a good writer demonstrates FLEXIBILITY.*

 

Remember these five principles today as you strive for excellence in writing and in the Christian life.

Which of these characteristics do you feel are easiest to model? Which are the most difficult? Do you have any others that you would like to add? Please post your comments below! Thank you.

    

*Jerry B. Jenkins, Writing for the Soul (New York: Writer's Digest Books, 2006), 105-106. To order this book, please click on this link: amazon.com/Writing-Soul-Instruction-Advice-Extraordinary/dp/1582974179/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5915590-3058404?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177444260&sr=1-1

Dallas Morning News Blog

Happy National Poetry Month! Michael Merschel at the Dallas Morning News has written a blog and an article about the 2006 Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Competition. You may follow the link here: books.beloblog.com/archives/2007/04/poetry_pays.html

Please post your comments here. Thank you!

Powerful Resources for Poets

The legendary poet Robert Frost once said, "To be a poet is a condition, not a profession."

At the Mount Hermon Conference, many writers asked me, "Where can a Christian publish poetry?" Actually, I've discovered quite a few outlets for poetry over the past several years. If you're a poet (or a writer interested in breaking into the poetry market), check out the excellent resources below. I think you'll be impressed!

 

CHRISTIAN LITERARY JOURNALS THAT ACCEPT POETRY SUBMISSIONS

3.1.6.: A Journal of Christian Thinking (the316journal.com)

FIRST THINGS: A Journal of Religion, Culture, and Public Life (firstthings.com/submission.php) 

IMAGE: Art, Faith, Mystery (imagejournal.org)

Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression (reliefjournal.com)

Rock & Sling: A Journal of Literature, Art, & Faith (rockandsling.org)

Toward the Light: Journal of Reflective Word and Image (towardthelight.net) 

Utmost Christian Writers (utmostchristianwriters.com) 

 

POWERFUL BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR POETS

Poets & Writers Magazine 

The Triggering Town by Richard Hugo (This is my favorite book on the craft of poetry; it helped me to radically improve my writing.) 

The Poetry Home Repair Manual by Ted Kooser

In the Palm of Your Hand by Steve Kowit 

Walking Light by Stephen Dunn

Best Words, Best Order by Stephen Dobyns 

The Poet's Handbook by Judson Jerome

2007 Poet's Market edited by Nancy Breen

 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF POETRY

Grace by John Hodgen 

Nine Horses; Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry, and others by Billy Collins

Wild Iris; Averno, and others by Louise Gluck 

The Country Between Us; Blue Hour, and others by Carolyn Forche

Thirst; Why I Wake Early; American Primitive; New and Selected Poems, and others by Mary Oliver

 

EXCELLENT POETRY AND POETRY COMPETITION WEBSITES 

The Academy of American Poets, poets.org  

Poetry Daily, poems.com

Poets & Writers, pw.org

Winning Writers, winningwriters.com 

Writer’s Digest, writersdigest.com

 

I hope you enjoy these resources! If this list helped you (and especially if you have your work accepted in any of these journals), please e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com or post a comment. Also, if you know of good poetry sites or resources not included in this list, please let me know. Thank you!

Meeting God on the Mountaintop

The Lord speaks to us using so many "voices." I learned that through my experiences at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference this past week. Worshipping, praying, rejoicing, and sharing my heart and my writing with other lovers of God ushered me into the throne room of the Lord. He provided opportunities for deep thought. He helped me wrestle through some painful issues, and He provided healing. He also bestowed on me a fresh appreciation for the beauty, compassion and care of the body of Christ as it is TRULY supposed to function - in unity and with grace. C.S. Lewis said that the distinction of the Christian faith - the element that sets it apart from all other belief systems - is GRACE. Lord, make me an instrument of your grace!

Humility and teachability were the watchwords of the week, as I had the privilege of interacting with so many excellent writers, teachers, pastors and speakers. I was blessed by the kneelers, the questioners, the weepers - those who weren't afraid to get real with God.

Particularly compelling were author and speaker Mary DeMuth's classes on Inner Guts: How An Extreme Makeover of our Hearts Enlivens, Deepens, and Betters our Prose. Mary speaks from a wellspring of love for the Lord, a place of wrestling with Him and refusing to stop until she has received His blessing. Her authenticity and transparency inspired me this week. And I gained so much TRUTH, so many solid principles that I know will help transform my spiritual life as well as my writing. 

I also left the conference with many new friends - friends walking the same daily journey with me as writers, artists, musicians, poets and followers of Jesus. I look forward to a new year of possibilities with God, starting now.  

If you're a friend from Mount Hermon or a friend from elsewhere wanting to weigh in on this discussion, please post a comment here. Thank you!