Syllable of Water: Twenty Writers of Faith Reflect On Their Art

The "syllable of water" that is the title of this remarkable collection of essays about writing sparkles on the surface of a bottomless wellspring of wisdom. Each of the 20 contributors (all members of the faith-based Chrysostom Society)presents an enticing invitation to sip from the cup of of his or her particular genre of word-making. The book is rich in resources, especially the "further reading" references at the end of each essay that sparkle like an after-dinner drink. One writer, James Calvin Schaap, says, "If writers...pursue what needs to be accomplished, all the while desiring to be brought to their knees in awe, they will find their way to good writing. There is a sweetness in being blindsided by life, by truth, by a dark corner suddenly illuminated. There is sheer joy in epiphany." A reader's thirst for words good and true can be slaked by thoughts like that.

Came in excellent condition and at an excellent price. The quality of binding and the composition of the materials of the book (not referring to content) wasn't quite as good as I expected. But the content thus far as been great.

Interesting. I liked it, but it is not a quick read.

This is a beautiful book perfect for Christian writers! Covering every genre from fiction to drama to journalism to memoir, it really opened my eyes to all the different types of writing there are, yet how they're connected. Many authors contributed to this book, and with their varying styles, you get a new point of view with each chapter. They were not preachy, but were very real and practical about how their faith affects their work. I learned a lot of valuable tips on what it means to write a poem (the art of language), the challenges and pay-offs of research, and how to tackle writer's block. No matter your age or denomination or writing style, you can learn a lot from this fabulous book. I'm sure keeping it close by as a valuable reference!

Wow. One essay after another that is pregnant not only with profound insights into what makes good writing, but also practical suggestions on how to improve one's own writing craft and write well. The essays cover a wide variety of types of creative writing, including not only poetry and short story, but also creative non-fiction (that wonderful genre that is oddly defined by what it is not) and even journaling. There are two things that really set this book apart (or three depending on how you count): the variety of writers who contribute, and the variety of their topics (I think every creative writer of any genre will find all of the essays helpful), and also the fact that the contributors are not only all gifted writers but also writers who have thought carefully about how to express what it is that they do well. I have purchased mulitiple copies of this book to give away to other friends who write.