At the big ICRS show this past summer, I was able to attend a keynote speech by Eugene Peterson at the fabulous LoDo Tattered Cover bookstore.

Okay, so I was only able to attend about half of that keynote, as I was late coming from a previous event. But I always wished I had been present for the entire speech. Now, thanks to the folks at Alive Communications, the entire transcript of his speech is available online.

Peterson, who crafted the immensely popular "The Message" paraphrase of the Bible, has some interesting things to say about the Writing Life. Especially, I think, for writers who tackle issues of faith. His main admonition--to avoid "godtalk" in our writing--gets an enthusiastic "amen" from me. (Even though said "amen" is a bit of godtalk itself.)

Well worth your reading time.