In this book, veteran preachers Sondra Willobee shows preachers how to enliven their sermons by using the techniques of great writers.  With clarity and wit, Willobee explores the joyful process of crafting effective sermons.

The book includes three sections: 1) "hook" - how good sermons begin with something that grabs listeners' attention; 2) "book" - how to shape a sermon with narrative pulse and ascending emotional intensity so that listeners experience the gospel; and 3) "stone" - how good sermons use specific, concrete language. By explaining these techniques, offering many examples, and reflecting on her own successes and failures, Willobee has provided a resource that will rekindle the creativity of experienced preachers and help new preachers develop their own compelling voices.

"This is a fine book for preachers, for those who are just beginning the journey of preaching, and for those veterans who are returning to the garage for a 100,000 mile checkup. I cannot imagine a more practical, attentive, useful, reliable, provocative and thoughtful guide to the delightful play of detail and form in sermons than this volume." Thomas G. Long (from the forward)