Author Archives: Jack Harrell

From the Writer’s Desk: The Future of Irreantum

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Jack Harrell

Since 1999, Irreantum has been committed to publishing the very best in Mormon literature. Over the years, a number of editors and editorial board members have volunteered their time to discover, polish, and publish this literature, passionate in their conviction … Continue reading →

Posted in Publishers Corner, The Writer's Desk | 23 Comments

New Issue of Irreantum!

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Jack Harrell

Dear AML Enthusiasts, Below is the table of contents for the next issue of Irreantum, which is going to press soon. Now is the time to get your subscription for the first time, or get renewed. Thank you for your … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements | 4 Comments

From the Writer’s Desk: The Writer’s Eye

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Jack Harrell

While in Utah visiting family and friends, I ride the Trax light rail from downtown Salt Lake City to Sandy. It’s Friday afternoon and the train is full. I stand near the door, holding onto the metal bar overhead. A … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | 2 Comments

The Writer’s Desk: Naming Things

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jack Harrell

My students turn in their assigned short stories. Sitting down to read the first one, I’m ready to open myself to the details and imagery. I want to see the movie playing in my head. But the screen’s mostly blank … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | 11 Comments

The Writer’s Desk: Building Character

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Jack Harrell

The delineation of characters is important in any kind of creative writing—fiction, essay, drama, screenwriting, and even poetry. Since I’m a fiction writer, I’ll focus my comments for this post on characters in novels and short stories. The best book … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | 6 Comments

From the Writer’s Desk: Be Weird, Mormon Writers!

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Jack Harrell

The presidential campaigns of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have been good for Mormonism because they’ve brought Mormons and the Church into the national discussion. It’s been gratifying to see pundits correctly clarifying Church positions while debating evangelical critics. And … Continue reading →

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From the Writer’s Desk: The Breath? Really?

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Jack Harrell

Recently I read a book by Laraine Herring called Writing Begins with the Breath. Herring’s thesis is that writing doesn’t only come from the writer’s intellect, but from the writer’s whole being. According to Herring, the physical space around the … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | 8 Comments

From the Writer’s Desk: Writing that is “Implicitly Philosophical”

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Jack Harrell

I’ve written before about my appreciation for John Gardner, a novelist who also wrote the books On Moral Fiction and The Art of Fiction. (I recommend both of these to anyone who’s serious about fiction writing.) One of Gardner’s most … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | 2 Comments

From the Writer’s Desk: Making Time to Write

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Jack Harrell

Where does one find the time to write? Where do Mormons find the time to write? Over the years I’ve heard Mormons complain about this. The complaint usually goes like this: “I’d have a great novel to my credit if … Continue reading →

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The Writer’s Desk: Writing Epiphanies

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Jack Harrell

Novelist Charles Baxter’s book Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of fiction writing. One of the most evocative essays in the book is called “Against Epiphanies.” Though Baxter is critiquing … Continue reading →

Posted in The Writer's Desk | Tagged , , | 19 Comments