Book Review: As The Ink Flows by Dekkema, Teague, Ford, Loopstra, and Cummings

A devotional by writers for writers, integrating the craft of working with words with the faith of people of the Word to deepen, sustain, and expand ministry in the world. This collection of 90 devotions features a focus Scripture, a brief meditation on the text and the writing experience, and a prompt for personal reflection and creative response.

“As the Ink Flows is a dazzling goldmine of inspirational nuggets so creative and concise, it’s a must-have devotional for writers, pastors, speakers, or anyone in ministry!” 

-Julie Lessman, award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston and Heart of San Francisco series

“Take the words of the best-selling book of all time, extrapolate examples of classic literary construct, and encourage writers of all kinds (songwriters, bloggers, pastors, and novelists) to recognize the living and moving presence and influence of the King of kings in their work.” 

-Suzy Weibel, co-author (with Dannah Gresh) of Secret Diary Unlocked: My Struggle to Like Me and The One Year Devos for Teen Girls

GENRE: Christian Nonfiction, Devotional
PUBLISHER: Judson Press
RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2016
PAGES: 192

As the Ink Flows isn’t just for writers – though that’s certainly its audience.  All I write is this blog (lol) and I have been blessed by these devotions all the same.

The five co-authors have written a total of ninety devotions that span six different sections, covering spiritual insights into the writing craft itself as well as into the writer. And above all, each reading, prayer, and exercise points back to THE Author, the One who started our faith and the One who will carry it to completion.  A Bible verse begins each devotional, followed by a brief text written by one of the co-authors. Prayer closes each entry, as does a “Let the Ink Flow” section which continues prompts for writing development and personal reflection.

I have been using this off and on for my own devotional time since receiving it from the publisher for review, and I really enjoy that the entries are uplifting and easy to read in a few spare minutes of time but are also quite profound and convicting and lend themselves to more extended reflection as well.  While I haven’t made use of the “Let the Ink Flow” section too much (there have been a few that I actually DID do lol), I have read each of the prompts from the eyes of someone who has been blessed with several dear author friends & this section at the end of each entry will be invaluable to take the applications of both the spiritual and writing craft truths one step further.

One of the most meaningful devotionals to me right now in my busy yet often isolated life is one by Melony Teague called “Eat To Fill The Stomach” and it is based off of Ezekiel 3:1-6. Melony challenges us to think about the words we eat daily – do we take time to be filled with God’s Word? Are the other words we eat flavored with sweetness or bitterness? She applies this to authors, too, and the words they write – something for me to ask myself daily about my blog as well. It took me about 5 minutes to read, 10 minutes to meditate on at the time, but I’ve been mulling it around in my head and heart ever since.

Bottom Line: If you are a writer… a blogger… a creative person … a speaker … a ministry leader … or you know someone who is, As the Ink Flows would be a phenomenal asset for your devotional needs.  The devotions are quick to grab before getting ready in the morning, on your lunch hour, or during a writing break but are also full of profound truth that settles in the heart and points to Jesus.  These co-authors love Jesus and love writing, and it shows, their different writing voices complementing each other and providing options for all sorts of preferred reading styles.

(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)

My Rating: 5 stars / Fantastic resource!

What about you? What do you do to make sure you carve out time to fill up on God’s Word?

Canadian Customers – please make purchases here

From L-R: Claudia Loopstra, Marguerite Cummings, Glenda Dekkema, Melony Teague, and Carol Ford

GLENDA DEKKEMA writes the chaplaincy column for Senior Care Canada magazine and her nonfiction articles—focused on health, the environment, family life and humour—have been published in several magazines and newspapers in Canada and Europe. She is a professional member of The Word Guild.  Connect on Facebook

MELONY TEAGUE was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1999 where she still lives with her husband and their two children. She is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell and each story is unique and sometimes wilder than fiction. She loves to uncover the good news in society and writes human interest and community pieces. In addition to contributing columns and articles for local media, as well as ghostwriting, she also handles Communications and PR for two non-profit missions organizations in Canada. She is an active member of The Word Guild and Inscribe. Connect on Facebook

CAROL FORD facilitates a Christian writers’ group and owns a consulting business. An active member of the Word Guild, a Canadian association of Christian writers and editors, and certified in MBTI and Life Skills Coaching, Carol delivers workshops and speaks at various events. Connect on Facebook

CLAUDIA LOOPSTRA is a published author of short stories and articles and a longtime member of The Word Guild. A frequent workshop presenter and facilitator, she has served on the National Executive Council of Women Alive.  Connect on Facebook

MARGUERITE CUMMINGS is an award-winning writer and former designer of reader guides and editor of discussion guides for Hot Apple Cider books. A talented poet, she has been a member of the Word Guild since 2006.  Connect at her website