“The Christian Superstars’ Guide to Writing Well”
by David Mills
How did great Christian authors accomplish their goals? I'll use examples and insights from 20th century Christian writers like Lewis, Tolkien, Chesterton, Sayers, Muggeridge, Knox, Waugh, O’Connor, Percy, and even Orwell and other secular moralists. I will also draw in contemporary authors like J. I. Packer, Timothy Keller, and Tom Wright, who write effectively for a wide readership.
Wednesday (10:45 AM): The Writer’s Calling and Task
In this class we will discuss the formation of character, the spirituality of writing, and the superstars’ suggestions for the writing life. We will also explore those authors’ insights into how people read and respond to the challenges of the Gospel—a neglected subject in apologetics but a crucial one.
We will then talk about persona, how we and the superstars present ourselves to our readers. We will also examine the subtle signals writers send in their choice of words, length of paragraphs, etc.
Thursday (10:45 AM): How to Write Effective Prose
Here we will look at the superstars’ prose styles and examine their techniques, closely and practically.
Friday (9:00 AM): How to Make Your Point Effectively
Among the subjects this class will cover is the use of evidence. Over and over again, even in writing published in major Christian magazines, the writers simply don’t offer convincing proof for their arguments. Instead, they too often take the easy out of generalizing. We will discuss how to avoid this.
Friday (10:45 AM): How to Create Effective Analogies
In this class we will study examples from the famous writers on how compelling comparisons can make your point.
“Editing Those Prickly Creatures Called Writers.”
By David Mills
Wednesday (2:30 PM)
Writers say that everyone needs an editor, but they often don’t mean it. The basic skills of editing include the craft of dealing with writers, as well as the craft of fixing their prose. This class covers both crafts, with some basic tricks of the trade that help people who have something to say, say it well.