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Greetings,
My review of the new weeper My Sister’s Keeper is now online. I also had the privilege of being a guest blogger on her.meneutics, exploring one of the issues the film raises. Have you read the book? Are you going to see the film? I’m intrigued to hear how either version of the story resonates with you …
My review is here.
My her.meneutics blog post is here.
Peace,
Carolyn
I’ve already shared the results of the Word Guild Awards Gala via Twitter, but we thought we ought to do it officially here as well. So … drum roll please:
The results of the 2009 The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards have been officially released. Here is an excerpt from the press release:
British Columbia is home for two multiple winners. Author and singer/songwriter Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C., who was shortlisted in five categories – the most of any writer this year – won two awards, for “book: life stories” and for her columns in Christianity Today magazine. Her book is Wrestling with Angels: Adventures in Faith and Doubt (Harvest House Publishers). John H. Redekop of Abbotsford, B.C., won for his review “Is Punishment All Bad?” in the Mennonite Brethren Herald and tied for his short feature article “Buying Two Farms” in Stillwood, the First 50 Years 1958-2008.
“Thanks be to God for the gifts of language, meaning and spell-check,” said Arends in her mailed-in acceptance speech. Redekop, a veteran writer who was present at the ceremony, thanked God for the gift of words.
Apparently John Redekop and I are on the same wavelength!
Wrestling With Angels also received an Award of Merit in the Book-Christian Living Category.
Cool, eh?
Blessings,
CA
“Pixar’s latest—about an old widower and a young boy who find themselves on an adventure—blends humor and pathos to create another masterpiece.”
It’s a pretty rare movie that can me chortle and sob almost simultaneously. My review is here.
Go see UP!
CA
File this one under “Aw, Shucks …”
Yesterday, The Word Guild (a national association with the mandate of connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian) announced their shortlist for the 2009 Canadian Christian Writing Awards. The press release included the following information:
“Proving her versatility, singer/songwriter Carolyn Arends of Surrey, B.C.—who is a contender in five book and article categories—received the most nominations of any writer.”
Cool, eh?
My work is nominated in the following categories:
Book – Christian Living (Wrestling With Angels)
Book – Life Stories (Wrestling With Angels)
Article – Review (”Blindness” – ChristianityTodayMovies.com)
Article – Personal Experience (”Bigger Than The Both of Us“ – Today’s Christian Woman)
Column/Editorial/First Person Essay Series (”Theology in Aisle 7” and “Our Shalom Vocation” – Christianity Today)
The winners will be announced at the Word Guild’s annual Awards Gala on June 17 in Mississauga, Ontario. (I think the prize should go to whoever can spell “Mississauga” correctly without looking it up!)
By the way, I would strongly encourage any Canadian writers to check out The Word Guild. Since joining their ranks a couple of years ago, I have been consistently impressed by the wealth of information, support and encouragement members give each other through a variety of means, including their remarkably active email group. Check out membership info here.
One other bit of news: I discovered recently that the Evangelical Press Association (an American professional association for the Christian periodical publishing industry) awarded my article “Bigger Than the Both of Us” fifth place in the “First Person Article” category of their 2009 Higher Goals Awards. Although I spent a few days chanting “I’m Number Five! I’m Number Five!” rather weakly, I am told that the 300 eligible publications populate the “first person article” category rather heavily, so 5th place is, you know, cool. So thanks, EPA!
I feel genuinely encouraged as a writer, especially by those of you who have taken the time to comment on the various blogs or write me personally. This week I’ve been quoting:
“They can be like a sun, words. They can do for the heart what light can for a field.” – St. John of the Cross
Thanks for your words and the way they encourage mine. And thanks for your friendship.
CA
Howdy All — My article, The Benefit of the Doubt, is the cover story on this month’s issue of Faith Today. Those of you have read Wrestling with Angels know the exploration of the role of doubt in the life of faith is one of my obsessions … this assignment gave me a chance to try to crystalize some of my thinking. As always — I’d be honoured to know how it connects with you. You can read it here.
Blessings,
Carolyn
Hey All — At my friend Justine’s request, I’ve posted the lyric for a new (to be featured on my upcoming CD) called My Favorite Lie. I’d love to hear your thoughts — check it out here.
Easter Blessings,
Carolyn
Well, the Mayor of Songville has been absent too long, but we’ve just reactivated our sight for songwriters with LYRIC QUESTION #6 – Is Your Lyric Passive When it Could Be ACTIVE? Check it out!
peace,
CA
I’ve been getting lots of cool email about a piece I wrote for TCW called “What’s So Good About Good Friday?” It’s in the March/April edition — if it goes online I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, I did an interview about the piece with WCBL’s Mid-Morning show last week (March 25th), and you can download it as a free podcast from itunes (gotta love technology).
If you want to grab it, go to the Mid-Morning site here: http://www.wbcl.org/MidMorningArchive.asp
If you click on the itunes link, it will send you right to the free podcasts (if you have itunes on your computer) — select the March 25 Podcast.
If you’re not an itunes-er, you can click on the RSS link and download the mp3 directly, I do believe.
Thanks … and Happy Lent (seriously.)
CA
My newest CT column is up at Wrestling With Angels … all about Mexico, gastrointestinal distress, and prayer. Check it out here and lemme know what you think!
Blessings,
Carolyn