How do you become a writer?
It's one of the things I wrestle with. What makes me a writer? What makes me a good writer?
What makes me a great writer?
I'll tell you what sort of writer I want to be. I want to be CS Lewis and Mark Twain's freakish literary step child. I want the diversity and consistency of Lewis and the irreverent humor of Twain.
And I've been trying to figure out how to do that.
And there's one thing I've figured out so far.
It's so simple.
Write.
Just sit down and write.
Whatever words come out, use them.
Stephen King is, no matter what you think of him, a very prolific writer. And I read once that he said that if you aren't willing to write for four hours a day, writing isn't for you. I'll try to look up the exact quote and post it.
But four hours a day of just writing.... Wow.
I don't even come close to that. I'm making strides. It's my current commitment to write in three different places every day - blog, books, journals, etc.
If four hours a day is the yardstick, I'm doing poorly. But I'm doing better than I ever used to be.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Somebody Smarter Said - 2
"I found that I was just as likely to meet God in the sewers of the ghetto as in the halls of academia. I learned more about God from the tears of the homeless mothers than any systematic theology ever taught me." - Shane Claiborne
Random Thoughts - 8
Article on CNN.com today: Expert's Ponder Link Between Creativity, Mood Disorders
Interesting.
Doesn't it certainly fall into a category of news that you could title - "Not so surprising?"
After all, think of the most boring and sane people you know. They're the accountants, the lawyers, the managers. They aren't creative, and you on any given day know how they will act. They don't have a flair for the dramatic.
Now think of those around you that are authors, actors, singers.
They're the weirdest people you'll ever meet.
Certainly, this is playing into stereotypes a bit. I'm a writer, but I don't think of myself as overtly dramatic. And I know a few worship leaders who are very low key people.
But what does this mean? How could you interpret this information? Is there a way, based on this knowledge, to unleash creativity?
I think so, and it's based partially on my own experience. You see, what the article suggests is that mood disorders and creativity are not causally related - one doesn't cause the other. But they both have a common link - reflection.
The article does a better job of explaining this than I could, but I think that's a key to being creative. What is it that is eating your mind? Taking your time? Where are all of your trains of thought being rerouted to?
Once you've figured it out, write it. Or sing it. Or paint it. That's what I've done - Ashram arose because of a single story that I could absolutely not get out of my head. Different poems I've written have been because of things that were stealing my mind. My current projects fall in line with things that I find myself thinking about when I'm daydreaming.
So use those reflections. And if you don't reflect, well, you've got other problems.
Interesting.
Doesn't it certainly fall into a category of news that you could title - "Not so surprising?"
After all, think of the most boring and sane people you know. They're the accountants, the lawyers, the managers. They aren't creative, and you on any given day know how they will act. They don't have a flair for the dramatic.
Now think of those around you that are authors, actors, singers.
They're the weirdest people you'll ever meet.
Certainly, this is playing into stereotypes a bit. I'm a writer, but I don't think of myself as overtly dramatic. And I know a few worship leaders who are very low key people.
But what does this mean? How could you interpret this information? Is there a way, based on this knowledge, to unleash creativity?
I think so, and it's based partially on my own experience. You see, what the article suggests is that mood disorders and creativity are not causally related - one doesn't cause the other. But they both have a common link - reflection.
The article does a better job of explaining this than I could, but I think that's a key to being creative. What is it that is eating your mind? Taking your time? Where are all of your trains of thought being rerouted to?
Once you've figured it out, write it. Or sing it. Or paint it. That's what I've done - Ashram arose because of a single story that I could absolutely not get out of my head. Different poems I've written have been because of things that were stealing my mind. My current projects fall in line with things that I find myself thinking about when I'm daydreaming.
So use those reflections. And if you don't reflect, well, you've got other problems.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Random Thoughts - 7
This post follows a deep conversation i had with a friend yesterday. She was desperately trying to figure out how much a person's family background should matter in a relationship. If they come from a screwed up family, and screwed-up-ness runs in the genes, is it bad to avoid a significant relationship with that person?
As someone who comes from a screwed-up family, I have some interesting thoughts on the issue. Some of that stuff does run in the family. However, I believe we all have the ability to overcome those issues.
And that was the advice I offered her. Whoever this guy is, he can't control how his family is. It would be supremely unfair to judge someone based on factors they can't control (in fact, isn't that the basis of racism and sexism?). But, if this guy is handling the matters in a way that will lead him to be replicate the problems of his family, then that's an issue.
A person can't control their family. You don't choose your parents, or your genes.
But you do choose how to react.
As someone who comes from a screwed-up family, I have some interesting thoughts on the issue. Some of that stuff does run in the family. However, I believe we all have the ability to overcome those issues.
And that was the advice I offered her. Whoever this guy is, he can't control how his family is. It would be supremely unfair to judge someone based on factors they can't control (in fact, isn't that the basis of racism and sexism?). But, if this guy is handling the matters in a way that will lead him to be replicate the problems of his family, then that's an issue.
A person can't control their family. You don't choose your parents, or your genes.
But you do choose how to react.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Jesus Wants to Save Christians Review
Jesus Wants to Save Christians
Rob Bell and Don Golden
I bought Rob Bell and Don Golden's new book recently. You might remember I posted a preview of the book, and thought it sounded very intriguing. I didn't know what to expect. And this book defied my expectations - it wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all.
Basically, Rob and Don outline a New Exodus theology. They describe how the entire Bible can be told in parallel to the story of the Exodus, and the Passover in particular.
I always sort of understood that the passover was significant, but I never paid attention to it. I have always been interested in the power of communion, and I never made the connection, like the authors do, between communion and passover. There is a reason that Jesus initiates communion on the Passover; he is drawing connection between his person and the lamb slain at passover.
If you're unfamiliar with New Exodus theology, this is a great book to start with. As far as I understand, this acts like a basic primer to this theology. For those who want to paint Rob (and Mars Hill) into an emergent and theological-less corner, this book closes that idea pretty thoroughly. Rob obviously has a theology, and here he has articulated it clearly.
Some thoughts:
There are some scathing indictments of America in here, so if your the ultra-patriotic America-is-God type, you may not enjoy this. There are also some jabs at the modern evangelical church.
Ben Witherington III has a great review. He points out some of the great thinking, as well as some of the issues where Rob and Don are off the mark, specifically regarding Philip and the Ethiopian.
I think that "Blood on the Doorposts of the Universe" is an appropriately epic chapter title.
If you were used to Rob's storytelling approach, you may be in for some shock here. This book has none of the stories that Rob used to such great extent in Sex God and Velvet Elvis. Another reason why it was not what I expected.
The Bottom line:
I really liked this book. Definitely Recommend it. I would make sure, as with all things, to do some research and not just blindly accept everything it it (another reason to read Ben Witherington). But bottom line - read it.
Rob Bell and Don Golden
I bought Rob Bell and Don Golden's new book recently. You might remember I posted a preview of the book, and thought it sounded very intriguing. I didn't know what to expect. And this book defied my expectations - it wasn't what I thought it was going to be at all.
Basically, Rob and Don outline a New Exodus theology. They describe how the entire Bible can be told in parallel to the story of the Exodus, and the Passover in particular.
I always sort of understood that the passover was significant, but I never paid attention to it. I have always been interested in the power of communion, and I never made the connection, like the authors do, between communion and passover. There is a reason that Jesus initiates communion on the Passover; he is drawing connection between his person and the lamb slain at passover.
If you're unfamiliar with New Exodus theology, this is a great book to start with. As far as I understand, this acts like a basic primer to this theology. For those who want to paint Rob (and Mars Hill) into an emergent and theological-less corner, this book closes that idea pretty thoroughly. Rob obviously has a theology, and here he has articulated it clearly.
Some thoughts:
There are some scathing indictments of America in here, so if your the ultra-patriotic America-is-God type, you may not enjoy this. There are also some jabs at the modern evangelical church.
Ben Witherington III has a great review. He points out some of the great thinking, as well as some of the issues where Rob and Don are off the mark, specifically regarding Philip and the Ethiopian.
I think that "Blood on the Doorposts of the Universe" is an appropriately epic chapter title.
If you were used to Rob's storytelling approach, you may be in for some shock here. This book has none of the stories that Rob used to such great extent in Sex God and Velvet Elvis. Another reason why it was not what I expected.
The Bottom line:
I really liked this book. Definitely Recommend it. I would make sure, as with all things, to do some research and not just blindly accept everything it it (another reason to read Ben Witherington). But bottom line - read it.
Random Thoughts - 6
?Who is the church for?
That's a pretty normal question in church circles. In seminary circles especially. Different Pastors have different views. I read Mark Driscoll say that the church exists for the member's who aren't there yet. I hear Rob Bell say that the church is for the oppressed. I hear Greg Surratt say the church is for the development of fully devoted followers of Christ. I hear (this morning) that the Church should be involved in meeting the needs of it's followers. So what is the answer?
It usually boils down to whether a church exists for seekers or for followers or for outreach. Is the church there to' save' people, and bring in 'new' christians? Is the church there to disciple the already-there people? Is the church there to be the light of the world, to bring hope to the hopeless?
So let's ask the question. Who owns the church?
As I've been reflecting on this, the answer is this - the church is for all of them. But none of them own it.
It's certainly for the people who aren't there yet. It's definitely for the the people who are there. And it's for the people who would never have the opportunity to be there.
But it's not.
None of these groups have the corner on 'owning' the church.
God owns the church.
And the church exists for God.
The other people matter to the extent that they matter to God.
Just something to think about.
That's a pretty normal question in church circles. In seminary circles especially. Different Pastors have different views. I read Mark Driscoll say that the church exists for the member's who aren't there yet. I hear Rob Bell say that the church is for the oppressed. I hear Greg Surratt say the church is for the development of fully devoted followers of Christ. I hear (this morning) that the Church should be involved in meeting the needs of it's followers. So what is the answer?
It usually boils down to whether a church exists for seekers or for followers or for outreach. Is the church there to' save' people, and bring in 'new' christians? Is the church there to disciple the already-there people? Is the church there to be the light of the world, to bring hope to the hopeless?
So let's ask the question. Who owns the church?
As I've been reflecting on this, the answer is this - the church is for all of them. But none of them own it.
It's certainly for the people who aren't there yet. It's definitely for the the people who are there. And it's for the people who would never have the opportunity to be there.
But it's not.
None of these groups have the corner on 'owning' the church.
God owns the church.
And the church exists for God.
The other people matter to the extent that they matter to God.
Just something to think about.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Back
I've come to a decision. If I fancy myself a writer, I should probably actually write. So I'm committing to writing on this blog every day FOREVER. Okay, not forever. But at least the next month. So for the entire month of October, I am committing to writing a post every day. For the post to count, it can't be a review or an update, like this one. We'll see how it goes.
Other Updates:
I have started sending Ashram to agents. One rejection so far.
I am a third of the way through 300. It's now called 337.
I started writing about my Mom's death. I'm through 2 chapters.
I am planning on attempting nanowrimo this year. Basically, I need to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
I have written 3 poems in the last month. More will come as inspiration comes.
Other Updates:
I have started sending Ashram to agents. One rejection so far.
I am a third of the way through 300. It's now called 337.
I started writing about my Mom's death. I'm through 2 chapters.
I am planning on attempting nanowrimo this year. Basically, I need to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
I have written 3 poems in the last month. More will come as inspiration comes.
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