Book Review: “Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making” by Andrew Peterson

Though I have been a writer for over a decade, I have only begun to read books on writing just this year. And I’m really beginning to wonder why I have never read any before now! I find them to be so fascinating and so inspiring, not to mention intriguing!

Naturally, then, when the opportunity arose to review Andrew Peterson’s new book on the creative process, I jumped at it!

This book is so much more than a mere how-to manual, however. It is also a memoir that will inspire and motivate you as it points you to all that is possible as you follow Christ and seek to honor Him daily in your craft.

In his book, Peterson shares how he got to where he is today as a musician, fiction author, and now nonfiction writer. His highs, his lows, his penniless days, and his victories are all poured out for you on the page.

So often, we look at famous musicians or well-known authors and wish we could be successful as they are. We lament that we are unknowns in a seeming sea of popularity, glitz, glamour, and huge online platforms. What we do not understand, however, is that they started out on the bottom just as we are. And the same God Who raised them up has something in store for us, as well, when we walk in faith the path He has set before us.

As a writer, I thoroughly enjoyed the real-life glimpses into Peterson’s own writing practices. It’s always fascinating for me to hear how fellow authors do what they do, and that was just what I found within the pages of this book.

In addition, his perspective on the creative life itself, its great commission impact, and how it is shaped by the gospel, inspired and motivated me to keep going in my calling from God.

Peterson writes that it is God Who gets us through the the writing process from blank page or screen to published work, and the concepts of serving the work, serving our audience, selectivity, discipline, discernment, how art nourishes community and community nourishes art, and so much more.

If you are a creative of any kind or if you just would love a glimpse into the mind of one, I thoroughly recommend Andrew Peterson’s newest book, Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making.