Grace Is Where I Live: Writing As a Christian Vocation

by John Leax

John Leax has written a book for beginning as well as experienced writers. It's his testimony about writing, along with the testimony of other writers. Leax writes out of a Christian worldview and gives reasons for a vocation some might believe is a fruitless endeavor--creative writing.

Genres: Writing, Spirituality

152 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Katie Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few essays were a little disjointed and not well-organized, but then, especially beginning with the section about his sabbatical, the work became much more interesting and relevant to me. Useful book to read as I pursue my own collection of essays/memoir about teaching.

[Tali Zarate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the first half of this collection of essays. Perhaps if I had come across this book a few years ago, when I was really puzzling over the question of my faith and my writing, I would have found it more enlightening. Now, though, having spent a good deal of time thinking about how aith influences writing, and having turned to authors such as Flannery O'Connor and Denis Johnson for insight, these essays struck me as rather flat. They're overly prosaic, lacking the subtlety and sense of curiosity needed to make them something more than just one man's simplistic reflections on his own life and work.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quiet, contemplative work, discussing the place of the Writer in his faith, faith's role in his writing, and the writers place in this world as much a part of it as "apart from it", reconciling the creative urge with the faith that drives it.

Having had Professor Leax as my instructor in several classes, I of course imagine him reading this collection of essays and poems, hearing his voice speaking these words to us.

Five stars, though I am biased.