When I was in college, I started a little comedy website (so little, the only people who saw it were friends I made look at it). Part of the appeal was that I would write a weekly comedy article. After awhile, my (ex)girlfriends family started reading it. And they were appalled. Appalled probably because I laughed at things that were funny, and didn't spend the entire weekly newsletter trying to convert my already-christian friends.
I gave up on the newsletter. Because I wasn't doing what they wanted. I was writing to impress, instead of writing to be a better writer, or to communicate what I was thinking.
Don't write for others. Don't write to impress other people.
It's pretty simple really.
Don't write for an audience, to get published, or to be famous.
When you write for someone else, you have to ignore the inner voice that you have which should be guiding your writing. Writing is about an attempt to put the human soul on paper.
Your soul exists in community with other people. not simply for the benefit of other people.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
onE step
"If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all." - Dan Rather
If a complication arises during a JOURNEY, it tends to fall into one of two categories. (Actually, just about nothing ever truly splits into two categories; these are just helpful ways of thinking).
There are logistical problems. And relational problems. And one problem can lead to an increase in another problem.
Logistical problems are problems with the JOURNEY itself. These are the passport issues, and the vehicle malfunctions, and the inability to remember to pack socks. They are usually fixed with very little long term repercussions.
Relational problems happen with the other people on the JOURNEY with us. These are born out of frustration, miscommunication, and poor expectations.
On the way to Seattle, we had several logistical problems. I'm going to highlight a couple of those, and you will start to see some of the foundation for some of the relational problems we experienced.
In the middle of a windy rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota, the wind caught my windshield wipers and broke them. I was going 75 miles an hour, and suddenly couldn't see. We managed to get to the nearest exit, where we were told that no mechanics in town were available; they would be busy for the next two days. So we put Rain - X on the windows and prayed.
Then, stopping at a scenic overlook, the passenger door broke. It won't close unless you press down hard on the door as you shut it. So we just don't use the door, afraid it will fall off. So Jess has to crawl across each time we get in and out of the van.
Logistically, not a great situation.
If a complication arises during a JOURNEY, it tends to fall into one of two categories. (Actually, just about nothing ever truly splits into two categories; these are just helpful ways of thinking).
There are logistical problems. And relational problems. And one problem can lead to an increase in another problem.
Logistical problems are problems with the JOURNEY itself. These are the passport issues, and the vehicle malfunctions, and the inability to remember to pack socks. They are usually fixed with very little long term repercussions.
Relational problems happen with the other people on the JOURNEY with us. These are born out of frustration, miscommunication, and poor expectations.
On the way to Seattle, we had several logistical problems. I'm going to highlight a couple of those, and you will start to see some of the foundation for some of the relational problems we experienced.
In the middle of a windy rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota, the wind caught my windshield wipers and broke them. I was going 75 miles an hour, and suddenly couldn't see. We managed to get to the nearest exit, where we were told that no mechanics in town were available; they would be busy for the next two days. So we put Rain - X on the windows and prayed.
Then, stopping at a scenic overlook, the passenger door broke. It won't close unless you press down hard on the door as you shut it. So we just don't use the door, afraid it will fall off. So Jess has to crawl across each time we get in and out of the van.
Logistically, not a great situation.
Hey Neat-O - 10
I like books. They are good.
I like free. It is good.
I like free books. They are doubly good.
So what do I say to agreeing to write a review of a book to receive it free?
Heck yes. So shortly, you will start to see more book reviews on this blog. Many thanks to Jean Ballance for pointing this out. She has (and I have as well) attempted to contact other publishers, so I will let you know if I find any.
But also, you can do it yourself - just check out these websites:
Thomas Nelson
Tyndale House
Waterbrook Press
I like free. It is good.
I like free books. They are doubly good.
So what do I say to agreeing to write a review of a book to receive it free?
Heck yes. So shortly, you will start to see more book reviews on this blog. Many thanks to Jean Ballance for pointing this out. She has (and I have as well) attempted to contact other publishers, so I will let you know if I find any.
But also, you can do it yourself - just check out these websites:
Thomas Nelson
Tyndale House
Waterbrook Press
Friday, September 4, 2009
In Honor Of - 2
"cause I'm clumsily dancing away this fear
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "
"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"
"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"
It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.
One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.
Lifehouse.
When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.
Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "
"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"
"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"
It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.
One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.
Lifehouse.
When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.
Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Somebody Smarter Said - 15
"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." - Captain Jean Luc Picard
oNe step
"A journey is best measured in friends rather than in miles." - Tim Cahill
JOURNEY is meant to be communal. How do I know this? Because all of life is meant to be communal.
We aren't created to be the Lone Ranger (who, afterall, wasn't 'lone'), Henry David Thoreau, or the Unabomber. These men discovered something about the inner self, something pure.
I'm not using the word pure in a good sense. You can have pure anthrax or pure arsenic. These men discovered, in my opinion, that the pure human soul, by itself, isn't enough. The Lone Ranger needed Tonto; Thoreau needed the beauty of nature (in itself a companion); and the Unabomber was insane.
JOURNEY's do two things to relationships. They cement them, and they try them.
There is nothing like a road trip to create good friends. A friend of mine (our friendship was cemented through a JOURNEY, to India!) spent two years doing amazing spring break road trips. The stories and the language that this friend can use, with his road trip buddies, is on a different level than the ones I use in everyday conversation with him. Those men have a special bond.
My wife and I met through the same trip to India. I would submit that India helped cement our JOURNEY (and tried it). We also did a road trip to South Carolina, which further cemented our relationship.
But JOURNEY's can also try relationships.
JOURNEY is meant to be communal. How do I know this? Because all of life is meant to be communal.
We aren't created to be the Lone Ranger (who, afterall, wasn't 'lone'), Henry David Thoreau, or the Unabomber. These men discovered something about the inner self, something pure.
I'm not using the word pure in a good sense. You can have pure anthrax or pure arsenic. These men discovered, in my opinion, that the pure human soul, by itself, isn't enough. The Lone Ranger needed Tonto; Thoreau needed the beauty of nature (in itself a companion); and the Unabomber was insane.
JOURNEY's do two things to relationships. They cement them, and they try them.
There is nothing like a road trip to create good friends. A friend of mine (our friendship was cemented through a JOURNEY, to India!) spent two years doing amazing spring break road trips. The stories and the language that this friend can use, with his road trip buddies, is on a different level than the ones I use in everyday conversation with him. Those men have a special bond.
My wife and I met through the same trip to India. I would submit that India helped cement our JOURNEY (and tried it). We also did a road trip to South Carolina, which further cemented our relationship.
But JOURNEY's can also try relationships.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Writing Tips - 4
Bird by Bird.
It's a book, by Anne Lamott. The whole book is about writing, and it's a great read. If I manage to purchase a copy anytime soon, I'll make sure to review it in depth, but it's the title that I want to focus on today.
Lamott tells a story about her brother, when he was still in school. He had a project which involved writing about a lot of birds - 50, if my memory serves me correct. Lamott's brother saved the project to the last night, and then broke down because it was too much to do at once.
Lamott's father took him, sat him down on his knee, and told him to take the project and do it bird by bird. One step at a time.
When I sit down and try to write an epic novel (note: I am not doing any such thing) or even a few chapters, it can seem immense. 100,000 words? I can't write that much. I can't even write 100 words right now.
But if I take it bird by bird, it seems much easier.
So take writing, bird by bird. Don't give up.
Also, don't wait until the night before.
It's a book, by Anne Lamott. The whole book is about writing, and it's a great read. If I manage to purchase a copy anytime soon, I'll make sure to review it in depth, but it's the title that I want to focus on today.
Lamott tells a story about her brother, when he was still in school. He had a project which involved writing about a lot of birds - 50, if my memory serves me correct. Lamott's brother saved the project to the last night, and then broke down because it was too much to do at once.
Lamott's father took him, sat him down on his knee, and told him to take the project and do it bird by bird. One step at a time.
When I sit down and try to write an epic novel (note: I am not doing any such thing) or even a few chapters, it can seem immense. 100,000 words? I can't write that much. I can't even write 100 words right now.
But if I take it bird by bird, it seems much easier.
So take writing, bird by bird. Don't give up.
Also, don't wait until the night before.
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