Brett Lott makes no bones about being a
Christian writer. He begins the first essay by reciting the Apostles'
Creed. However, the book is more than a presentation of his faith, it
is also a treasure trove of thoughts on what it means to be a writer.
The first five essays cover topics
ranging from a discussion of literary fiction to thoughts on
precision in writing to an essay on Flannery O'Connor. My favorite
was the discussion of precision in writing. As Lott points out, it's
a difficult concept to articulate, but I found by the end I had a
better grasp of what it means to write with precision. I particularly
enjoyed his example of precise writing in the Bible, Judges 3:12-26,
in which Ehud kills Eglon, king of Moab. I had read the passage
before but completely missed the reference to Eglon's bowels letting
loose after Ehud stuck his sword through his belly. The smell made
the guards think that Eglon was relieving himself and therefore
didn't disturb him and Ehud got away. It's a small detail, but it
makes the picture of the assassination very real.
The essay on Flannery O'Connor is also
a favorite. Using her life and words as an illustration, Lott
discusses the importance of the story more than the prestige of the
author. Too often, writers crave fame and their desire to tell a
story becomes secondary.
The final section is about Lott's life.
He begins to tell the story after the death of his father. Losing a
father is never easy. It makes you reflect on life: what was and will
never be again.
I recommend this book for Christian
writers, but it also provides thought provoking concepts for anyone
who hopes to write meaningful fiction.
I reviewed this book for Crossway.
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