Arthur Boers opens up about writing his memoirs and being in community
What drew you to write your memoir Shattered?
There were things about my childhood worth exploring – being a third-culture kid whose first language wasn’t English, having powerful mystical experiences, the mystery of my brilliant but troubled and abusive father. I discovered new understandings about myself and found my theology transformed. This work also deepened me as a pastor.
How does writing memoir differ from other nonfiction?
There was still research, but now I also reflected on the meaning of my life experiences. In other books I learned ideas and deepened convictions. In this one I came to grips with buried suffering. Amazingly, I had a dream that helped me see my life could be narrated with the theme of broken glass. Interacting with readers, I find this book can awake in them also convictions and sorrow, insight and hope.
How do you balance searching internally with seeking support from others?
Shattered was the most difficult book I’ve written and I could not imagine doing it without my MFA cohort. I wanted to grow as a writer and so I signed up for a master of fine arts in creative writing. I found a community of Christians who love quality writing. We wrote on our own for long stretches and then checked in. I also had excellent mentors – especially Lauren Winner.
Arthur Boers of Toronto is an author and Anglican priest. His next book is Samaritan Mercy: Inviting Trauma Victims, Rescuers, Bystanders, and Even Perpetrators into Neighborhood (Eerdmans).