The Art of Spiritual Writing: How to Craft Prose That Engages and Inspires Your Readers

by Vinita Hampton Wright

Overview

There’s a constant hunger in the world for books that explore the spiritual aspects of life, but writing about spirituality is far more complex than simply sharing personal reflections about God and the life of faith. Editors and publishers who specialize in spiritual writing find that what is important to work out for yourself on paper may not always be the best way to connect to readers. Because of its personal nature, it can be difficult to find the balance in spiritual writing between what is good writing for you and what is good writing for others.

Incorporating her 20+ years of publishing and writing experience, Vinita Hampton Wright provides a practical and straightforward look at spiritual writing for a broader audience in The Art of Spiritual Writing. This slim volume is loaded with writing tips, advice, and exercises to help the writer hone and craft his or her personal thoughts into an engaging, inspiring, and publishable piece. Readers will learn such things as why authenticity matters, how to find their authentic voice, and how to engineer their creativity so that it resonates with readers.
 
The Art of Spiritual Writing demonstrates that by taking the time to learn and implement the process and craft of writing, we can begin to uncover new ways to connect with ourselves, our readers, and God. And as we grow in our writing ability, our spirituality blossoms as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780829439083
Publisher:	Loyola Press
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	166
Sales rank:	878,085
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 5.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

Vinita Hampton Wright is a veteran editor and writer of books and articles on Ignatian spirituality. She leads workshops and retreats on writing, creative process, and prayer. Vinita and her husband, Jim Wright, live in Arkansas.

Table of Contents

First of All vii

1 What Does It Mean to "Write" Spirituality? 1

2 The First Five Things Every Spirituality Writer Needs to Know 5

3 Understanding the Difference between Personal and Public Writing 17

4 How to Make Your Story a Story for Others 27

5 What Authenticity Is and Why It Matters 41

6 Spiritual Formation and the Writer's Discipline 51

7 What You Can Learn from Other Spirituality Writers 63

8 Simple Ways to Make Your Writing Better 73

9 The Engineering of Creativity-Process, Prayer, and Practice 89

10 Product Is the End Result 97

11 Publishing Your Work 105

12 Enduring Truths 129

13 Self-Care for the Writer 141

14 So, Where Is God in All This? 153

Now That You've Found Your Spiritual Writing Voice… 159

Acknowledgments 163

About the Author 165

Editorial Reviews

"Vinita Wright is the best editor I've ever worked with.  Period.  She took my book My Life with the Saints, gave it a good shake, and improved it immeasurably.  But Vinita is, in her own right, a wonderful and wonderfully astute writer.  Her new book on spiritual writing is a marvelous introduction to the genre that stretches all the way from Augustine to Kathleen Norris.  Vinita will help you not only write, and write well, but live and live well."
- James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints



"Reading The Art of Spiritual Writing brought back consoling memories of the engaging conversations and spirited back-and-forth that eventually birthed my first book, for which Vinita served as editor and mid-wife. In her latest book, Vinita offers to a wider audience what I and other writers were privileged to share more privately: wise professional counsel, practical and frank advice, and just the right blend of encouragement and challenge. For Vinita, spiritual writing is a vocation, and in her book, she reverences that vocation by helping both the aspring and experienced writer to discern how they will most authentically find their voice and live that vocation amid the concrete details of the writing process."
- Fr. Kevin O'Brien, author of The Ignatian Adventure

"If ever a book were needed, it is this one. And if ever a book delivered far, far more than even its publisher and promotional materials promised, it is this one. Here, gathered in one carefully organized manual and delivered in one clear, personable, experienced voice, is essentially everything anybody ever needs to know about writing in the field of religion and spirituality. I cannot praise it too highly."
- Phyllis Tickle


"Vinita Hampton Wright is not only herself a fine spiritual writer, but one of the most respected editors in the business. And (book title) is very much like her: intuitive, intelligent, impeccably honest, and Christian to the core. By far the best book I've ever read on the difficulties and special joys of the spiritual writing vocation. 
- Paula Huston, author of The Holy Way, Simplifying the Soul, and A Season of Mystery


"Vinita Hampton Wright's book emerges from over 20 years of working with people who, like me, stumble from word to word in the hope of saying something meaningful. I'm deeply grateful for her careful work, distilled into a terrific volume that I hope will reach many others interested in the craft of writing spirituality. I've admired both her fiction and her writing guidance—if you aspire to use the written word to share your heart with others, do yourself a favor and read this book."
- Tim Muldoon, author of The Ignatian Workout and Longing to Love


"The Art of Spiritual Writing shows why her peers regard Vinita Hampton Wright as one of the best editors and writers of spiritual books working today. It will inspire not only writers of spirituality but anyone interested in living a spiritual life. As authentic and warm as its author, it is a guide to wisdom as well as craft, and sure to become a standard in the field."
- Michael Leach, Publisher Emeritus of Orbis Books


"People sometimes ask me ‘how to write’ for publication. Until now I never knew how to respond. This book solves the problem perfectly. A veritable treasure-trove of wise and practical guidance for anyone who, in Vinita’s words, feels called to turn their own story into a story for others.
Vinita shares wisdom garnered over long years as an author, an editor, a life-teacher and, most importantly of all, a deeply reflective and compassionate human being. To work under her guidance is far more than an editing process – it is a privileged and evolving relationship between editor, author and text. I am delighted that through the pages of this book, many more people will be encouraged to venture more confidently and knowledgably into the pathways of publication. Essential and enjoyable reading for every aspiring writer."

- Margaret Silf, author of Just Call Me Lopez, The Other Side of Chaos, and Inner Compass

"Vinita Hampton Wright, a master writer and editor herself, brings us an immensely wise guide on spiritual writing, or as she calls it, juggling fire. From the brass tacks of how to write and write well, to the daily work of crafting and living a spiritual life, to the actual task of getting published, this manual offers clear, concise advice that will be sure to improve and inspire your work. Throughout Wright speaks, not as a didactic teacher but as one who has juggled fire herself and now hopes to help others find their way."
- Amy Andrews, author of Love & Salt

From the Publisher