Jul 27 2009
Learning of Amy Carmichael
Recently I pitched an idea for an article to Boundless: I wanted to write about Amy Carmichael, a missionary woman who sailed to India in 1895 and stayed there until her death in 1951. I didn’t want to write about her as a missionary but as a writer; in her lifetime Amy wrote some 37 books, and in my opinion her work doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
I discovered Amy’s writing through a little anthology (it’s a good thing it’s thin, as Amy didn’t like thick books; she told her publisher they looked “stodgy”) called Learning of God. It had a huge impact on my spiritual life, but also on my writing life, as it turns out. Amy’s style is natural and flowing and steeped in scripture; it’s funny and salty and mystical. All things I’d like my own writing to be.
Today I finished drafting that article, tentatively titled “Fire-Words,” and I really look forward to introducing more people to this aspect of Amy’s legacy.
Question for you today: are there any little-known authors who’ve impacted you? Authors you’d like to introduce others to? Or even well-known authors who are falling out of favour in this age of twenty-second attention spans and shock value?
I don’t know how well-known Sir Walter Scott is, but I’ve learned a few things from him. To be more specific, I’m doing a research paper on his literary career, and I read a lot of his quotes and opinions on writing and such. He said once about another writer’s work: “by rendering his language too ancient, and displaying his antiquarian knowledge too liberally, the ingenious atughor had raised up an obstacle to his own sucess. Every work designed for amusement must be expressed in language easily comprehended.” Scott also believed that one should use a few archaic expressions and words in order to make the audience get the general flavor of the time period. I completely agree.
I’m off now to read your article!
I’m sorry, I misread the post. I though you had already posted it. (sheepish grin)
I like that title – “Fire-Words.” Don’t forget to let us know when the article is written and published! *Smile!*
Hi Rachel!
Can’t wait to read this article on Boundless and I really appreciated today’s article. I’d love to connect sometime when I’m down in Windsor – Nat Kerr has encouraged me several times that we have a lot in common! Do you know Hilary and Ian Anderson? They’re really close friends of mine too and also go to Southwood.
Praying for you as you continue to seek God’s direction and do it all for His glory!
Michelle
Elisabeth, that sounds like a great paper. I like Scott–”Ivanhoe” is one of my favourite books.
Elizabeth, “Fire-Words” comes from one of Amy’s poems, which I partially quote in the article.
Michelle, I’d love to meet you too! I know Ian and Hilary, though not super well. We’ve sometimes gone to the same small group, but I’ve been out of town so much over the last year that I’m not very connected. Anyway, get in touch when you’re going to be in Windsor.