Acceptable Words: Prayers for the Writer

Review Walter Wangerin Jr. author of Letters from the Land of Cancer "Most writers recognize that writing is more a job than a cry from Heaven. Writing requires a kind of nine-to-five discipline. If it were inspiration alone, writing itself would be its own prayer. . . . The prayers in this book, written by writers of various times and places, are sometimes beautiful, sometimes yearning, sometimes thanksgiving, and sometimes a beating on Heaven's doors. Yet they may be the prayers of all writers in all times."Lillian Daniel coauthor of This Odd and Wondrous Calling "As if writers needed one more justifiable reason to procrastinate, now we have this delightfully compelling collection of prayers. A treasure for writers and those who love writing, this book honors the divine inspiration of writing as well as what laboriously hard work it is. . . . As a preacher, I can testify that this stimulating spirit-filled collection will do significantly more for my midweek writer's block than that fourth cup of coffee ever did."Scott Cairns author of Compass of Affection "Offers an important and wise appreciation of the keenly relational, essentially dialogic practice that is the writer's life. With these matters in mind, writers of any genre will be better equipped for that discipline, and for entering into and participating in the long conversation we call literature."John Wilson editor of Books & Culture "The anthologist's art is underappreciated nowadays, though 'curators' get better press. Whatever term is used to describe the work done in gathering this collection of prayers for writers, all of us who live by attending to words should be thankful to Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney. They've given us a book that effortlessly encompasses John Donne and John Berryman, Madeleine L'Engle and the Venerable Bede - a choir we're invited to join in praise, lament, and wonder."Booklist ?Stickney and Schmidt have produced a book that will help creative readers and reflective believers alike find spiritual company in great literature.?  Literature and Belief ?This is essentially an anthology of prayers penned by poets, essayists, academics, religious leaders, and devotees from various times, places, and systems of belief. . . . This is not a book of instruction, nor of method, but rather of empathy and community. Ultimately, this book will prove interesting to those who struggle to write, who have cast around for something larger than their own experience and ability to help them create.?  Congregational Libraries Today ?The collected prayers, poems, scriptural passages along with the editors? brief essays, are aimed at helping writers do the work they feel called to do. . . . Prayers and other selections are so varied that no matter what the need or the mood, the reader is likely to din help in these pages. Not only writers will appreciate Acceptable Words; it can be a useful source for prayers and meditations to support creative endeavors of any sort.?  Presbyterian Outlook ?Prayer is no substitute for the hard work of writing. But this hard work is now blessed with this splendid resource for those who write and those who pray.?  Christian Communicator ?Whether you?re a beginning or advanced Christian writer, prayer is as necessary to your craft as a computer, paper, and printer. If you ever feel at a loss for words when facing a blank screen or piece of paper, Acceptable Words will help you find a prayer to fit your immediate need. . . . And keep a pen or pencil at hand as you read. Underlined words and notes will be helpful when you reread this incredible book.?       Acceptable Words offers prayers that correspond with each stage of the writer's work - from finding inspiration to penning the first words to "offering it to God" at completion. Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney, experienced writers themselves, introduce each chapter of prayers with pithy pastoral reflections that will encourage writers i