Book Review: The Art of Spiritual Writing

Whether you’re new or experienced in writing, this book gives a great overview of the writing process, especially for writing that you hope will spiritually impact readers. For instance, author Vinita Hampton Wright reminds us that while we may think chronology is important, to readers, it’s the theme. We may want to include every detail, but Wright reminds us to evaluate content from the point of what a stranger needs to know.

She explains how the Table of Contents drives sales and how each chapter needs to focus on only one point. Structure is important to readers. She also encourages authors to be authentic, to wrestle with the truth and reflect on it, then to write about it with great care. 

This is a small, short book, only 164 pages. Yet it packs a wallop. If you don’t know what to write about, Wright encourages you to write from who you are, to look for the major themes of your life and what you’ve learned. She suggests that Process, Prayer and Practice lead to Product. “To create a product, find the connection to the largest audience that reasonably can be expected . . . . The point is, know who will be interested in your material, and then work with the material so that it will be most pleasing to that audience.”

I liked her many, practical suggestions and her attention to current opportunities, such as social media. She points out how God has been involved in every detail of our lives and gives us God-given power to change the world. I took many notes for future reference as I read. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in writing for spiritual impact or really, writing in general.