Comments on: Ask an author: Emily Halverson

By: Giselle

Giselle — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:02:20 +0000

I love this intro you wrote Emily! I’m so happy you had the chance to write this book, I can’t wait to read it. Will you “autograph” it for me? We should being a writer’s group…of course in all of our “extra” time.

By: Sage

Sage — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:01:58 +0000

Thanks for this. I think a willingness to be edited shows a maturity and humility that allow for the true message to come forth. I love that idea of becoming what the scriptures teach. Reminds me of writing on the fleshy tablets of the heart referred to in the OT. Look forward to read the book!

By: dottie breckenridge

dottie breckenridge — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:03:37 +0000

Emily,
I am so proud of you! You are truly an amazing woman. Love ya Dottie

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:40:48 +0000

Emily, I’m so excited about your book and it’s message.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on editing–I learned so much from you!

By: Melissa M.

Melissa M. — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:24:37 +0000

I loved reading this, Emily. I loved your insights about writing and editing. And I want to read about those life changing moments.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:57:54 +0000

Traci: No publishing? You just did! What’s next? An article for Segullah? We need a good memoir piece. Keep us posted . . .

Shannon: How fun to hear from a good soul from those old BYU days. I honestly don’t remember teaching what you mentioned–all credit to you and the real Teacher! I love how you said that: “reading until I am the thing renewed.” Thanks for refocusing my own study this morning!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:45:53 +0000

Beautiful insights. I have to say – to Emily – that one of your own life changing moments, as shared in an Institute class one BYU summer, has had a profound effect on me. And it goes along the same lines of being agents unto ourselves – choosing what truly changes us. Every time I open the scriptures I think of your counsel to BE the new thing that comes out of my scripture study. Gaining new insight and understanding is always welcome, but reading until I am the thing renewed and enlivened is the most rewarding. Thank you for your faith. I admire you and your husband tremendously.

By: traci

traci — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:27:58 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. I started a writer’s group in my town about 1/2 a dozen years ago. My husband and I met there, and writing continues to be a hobby that it is very important to both of us. Recently we started a Memoir class. It has been a good thing for us in many ways – we aren’t in charge, we can just WRITE!, we have met other writers separate from our group.

What we have noticed from this class, that we believe shows our growth, is that we yearn for someone to critique and help us edit our work. This teacher, who we really enjoy, emphasizes more on defending your words and not allowing anyone to change them. I can remember those days, when I was in love with every word I wrote.

But now I want someone to critique, to edit, to suggest and more than that, I want to question my own work constantly. We are presently reading John Gardner’s books on writing and he emphasizes this constantly. Two years ago I would have not been able to imagine wanting to attempt such a thing. We also are starting a course through the Teaching Company on writing – it is a new era, in what we are doing, it is exciting.

Publishing? Never think of it. But honing my writing skills and a life time of interest? You betcha!

Thank you again for such a wonderful and interesting article, it really spured me on! All aspects of writing, is so important!