This Nun walks into a bar…
To mark the US release of my latest book, Paraclete are running a writing competition. The idea is to get you, yes you, to write a parable dealing with pretty much anything. It should ideally be between 100 and 1000 words in length. Oh, and you can enter as many times as you like.
First prize is a beautiful limited edition print entitled ‘New Life‘ by the artist Jared Robinson (Jared is currently collaborating with me to create work inspired by my writings). You will also receive $100 worth of Paraclete books of your choice and the adoration of your friends and family.
Second and third prize will receive $50 worth of Paraclete books.
My desire in running this competition is to help people rediscover the importance and power of parable. So, if you attend a writing circle, church community, youth group etc. you might want to take some time to explore the theme of parables (suggested reading below) and then encourage everyone to write one.
So what are you waiting for? Send your entries to Carol Showalter, no later than 1st August, 2009. The entries will be judged by myself and the winners announced on 1st September, 2009 both here and at Paraclete Press.
Tips:
A parable can be loosely described as a short, fictional narrative that draws the reader into an insight concerning some aspect of faith and life. Parables often work best when they challenge commonly held attitudes and unmask the poverty of some widely held value. Parables are generally structured in a very simple and stark way, with a narrative that avoids any unnecessary detail that may detract from the central, evocative message.
Some books, apart from my own, that might help get you in the mood include,
Parables of Kierkegaard (Kierkegaard’s Writings)
Tags: , Competition, Jared Robinson, Orthodox heretic, Parable, Paraclete Press, Peter Rollins
May 4th, 2009 at 3:38 am
i may try and attempt this. Great idea, Pete!
May 4th, 2009 at 3:40 am
BTW, i LOVE Jared’s ‘New Life’ print! It is INCREDIBLE. Is it inspired by one of your parables or was this done prior to meeting you?
May 4th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hmm…I wrote some parables for a class I took a while back. I just re-read some, they’re pretty lame. But I may give it a try nonetheless.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Hey Pete, this is WAY off topic, but I recently heard a podcast with you and Adele (Irreliogiosophy) where you made mention of an “alternative” church in England, for atheists who desired community, that featured environmentalists, etc as teachers. Anyways, I couldn’t make out the name of the guy you were saying started it (maybe Alan-something)…if you have any information you could pass on, I would be MUCH appreciative! (by comment or email)
Thanks SO much for sharing so much of your experience…your voice in the current conversation is a glass of fresh water!
May 11th, 2009 at 4:13 am
I might have a go too! Really enjoyed the book. Thanks you.
May 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
[...] 11, 2009 in Emergent, Scripture | by Z-man I have been captivated by parables recently. I am not alone either. The content of Jesus’ parables are striking and evocative. What’s more, the structure [...]
May 11th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
[...] Peter Rollins, who recently published a book of parables, says: A parable can be loosely described as a short, fictional narrative that draws the reader ?into an insight concerning some aspect of faith and life. Parables often work best when ?they challenge commonly held attitudes and unmask the poverty of some widely held value. Parables are generally structured in a very simple and stark way, with a narrative that avoids any unnecessary detail that may detract from the central, evocative message. [...]
May 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Should we give any commentary on what it means?
May 19th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Jacob – I guess you’re talking about The School of Life, and Alain de Botton. http://www.theschooloflife.com is their website, and two of the people who are involved, Mark Vernon and Roman Krznaric are speaking at Greenbelt Festival this summer – http://www.greenbelt.org.uk.
May 25th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
[...] Paraclete Press and Peter Rollins are running a parable competition where you can win a bunch of books and a beautiful print. Peter Rollins’ blog is here – and [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 7:04 am
[...] The second thing i wanted to remind people of is that I am running a parable competition as part of the launch of my new book, ‘The Orthodox Heretic‘. There is still a few weeks for you to write something before the deadline so please do get writing. More information here. [...]
August 18th, 2009 at 4:36 am
[...] am currently compiling all the parables I have received in response to the competition I ran with Paraclete Press in connection with my latest book, The Orthodox Heretic. The response to [...]
September 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
[...] while back Peter Rollins and Paraclete Press ran a competition of parable writing to mark the release of Rollins’ The Orthodox Heretic and Other Impossible [...]
September 14th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
[...] Rollings recently held a parable writing competition (in conjunction with Paraclete Press). He has announced the winner, “Footprints” [...]