Start with a Word

“In a culture that spends words carelessly and in staggering volume, a book that teaches us to weigh them one at a time is quietly countercultural. McEntyre has been making that argument, in one form or another, for nearly twenty years. Start with a Word may be her most winsome version of it yet. Start with this one.”
–Reformed Journal

“Each sentence is clear, concise, and meaty. Each thought is well-developed, each chapter is all it should be and no more. McEntyre gets to the point quickly, makes the point, and moves on… . This is a book for those writers dedicated to the craft who are eager to learn and develop, eager to become the best writer possible.”
–The Englewood Review of Books

“This is a clear, concise, and meaty book for all writers eager to deepen their knowledge and practice of writing.”
–The Banner

Praise for Marilyn McEntyre’s previous work:

“Brings lively attention to the way words can open multiple doors of memory, imagination, and reflection.”
–Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward

“Marilyn McEntyre reminds us of the power of language–to heal and instruct us, to challenge and shape us.”
–Shauna Niequist, author of Present over Perfect

“Encourages, guides, and directs… . Marilyn McEntyre embodies simple, patient kindness in her writing.”
–Michael Card, singer/songwriter, author of The Nazarene

“McEntyre has again written with conspicuous grace and truth… . Some passages here are as powerful and lovely as any I’ve encountered in years.”
–Cornelius Plantinga, author of Gratitude

“Seamlessly blending exegesis, philology, lectio divina, and prayer, Marilyn McEntyre teaches us how to listen for the divine word in all times and circumstances.”
–Carol Zaleski, coauthor of Prayer: A History

“With her profound summonings, Marilyn McEntyre recovers for many contemporary readers an ancient practice that is reminiscent of rabbinic attention to the dark sayings of Scripture, those compelling, curious, often-challenging passages that would nudge us into seeing more, would have us glimpse the inexhaustibility of the One in Whom we live and move and have our being, even the inexhaustibility of His Word.”
–Scott Cairns, author of Idiot Psalms

Marilyn McEntyre is the author of multiple books on language and faith, including What’s in a Phrase? Pausing Where Scripture Gives You Pause (winner of a Christianity Today 2015 book award in spirituality), Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies, Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict, and Make a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts. She teaches writing at Western Theological Seminary and New College Berkeley and coaches writers.

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