So I’ve been working on the new book for a long time now. I’ve got pages and pages of outlines and notes but it’s time to write it. So I sent three versions of the first chapter to my publisher and had a conference call to talk through the pros and cons of each “voice.” We all agreed that one was better than the other two so that’s good news. Sometimes your mind can get a little Jekyl and Hydeish and you feel like you’re dealing with multiple personalities. It’s all about choices. Because we’re a ridiculous dualistic society (don’t study the roots of dualism because it will mess up your theology for a year or more) and we start thinking there’s a right choice and a wrong choice, or because we didn’t get something we wanted there’s “nothing” else out there. It’s ridiculous.
Basically, there are just paths. Or maybe there’s just woods, and you have to cut your way through the woods.
One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies is from Wonderboys, when Katie Holmes character reminds Professor Tripp that “writers have to make decisions.” What she meant was a book only starts taking shape when a writer decides to go somewhere and then takes action in that direction.
Kinda like life, I think. Just decide and move. Just write the thing.
*the above image was a proposed book cover and title for Million Miles. We debated for weeks whether to take the cover that direction. Who knows whether it would have been received differently. Once you cut a path, there’s no looking back.
Don….have you ever taken a personality test?
We are supposedly classified into 1 of 16 types. Try one online like Myers-Brigg or something similar. I’m curious…
This is what my wife and I have been saying. So many people, especially those in the church (I especially was one of these) want to be “called” to do something. I understand what they’re saying, I used to speak Christian Speak quite fluently. Maybe God “called” me to married my wife, or maybe he didn’t, we both love each other and I believe that is enough. Logically all of the reasons made sense, but people want more, they have this expectation that God will reaffirm this demand we unknowingly place upon him. Sure getting married is a big deal, but like many decisions God just wants us to make a decision, don’t want for a flying squirrel to arrive with a scroll tied to his creepy little foot, take a step forward and trust that you’re unable to understand the details of the unknown. This also reminds me of the latter end of Blue Like Jazz in that we treat love like a commodity. We want God to lavish us with affirmation in the decisions we “feel” to be the most ideal, and if he doesn’t well he must not be present. Would love to write more but I need to get ready for work. Continue to speak words of wisdom through your writings. -Tyler
I know for me…if I feel “called” then I feel secure in that decision. If God had me marry him, then it’ll turn out all okay. If I was “called” to write a book, then success will follow.
Good thoughts for me…so much is about fear.
Worry and fear are paralyzing.
SO often I want life to be like math…If I do A and B then C will be inevitable.
What I meant to say was that I am searching for security…I want to feel secure, so I play that little game with myself.
I hear ya on this. I often get stuck in the rut of linear thinking and that is dangerous. God is not linear and His Ways are far from linear! So hard for a human to embrace sometimes.
As a writer, I’m constantly facing this. Choices are everywhere. Of course as I’m writing a first draft, but then as the editor is chosen for the piece, and the way I interpret and follow the edits. It amazes me how fluid the whole thing is.
My sixth novel releases this summer. I wonder how different it would be had I made 3 different choices, had I had a different editor, had I changed the way I edited.
You’re right. It’s a path. And the writers who get published dare to choose and move forward. Those who don’t tend to write, fret, write, fret, then never release their words because they’re living for the nirvana of the perfect draft. There are no perfect drafts, just gutsy decisions.
Mary…your last statement should be the mantra of all writers. “There are no perfect drafts, just gutsy decisions.” Perfect!
Don~Thanks for the encouragement to turn off my computer and pick up the pen.
Wow! I just blogged about this! Daring to move forward or getting stuck in the fear…. it is a difficult leap.
Now I want to go read your work.
I am excited to read this new book!
Thank you. I have been struggling with this a lot lately – even though I know better, I get paralyzed trying to figure out what the “right” decision is.
This was a very timely post for me. So, once again, thanks.
I too am a writer (granted, as yet unpublished), but I totally get what you’re saying. It’s nice to hear another person form into words what has already been rattling around in my brain.
I’ve been reading your blog a lot the last few days (after reading two of your books). You make wonderful sense. Keep writing — the rest of us need something good to read.
)
L.
Having just made some big decisions myself I am going to go ahead and agree with you. More and more I am seeing how the process doesn’t need to be one of figuring out the perfect course of action or what God’s will is. It probably is one where we learn to trust that God is with us in all of our decisions and we can look for him to always be at work in them.
Go write sir. I will look forward to reading it.
Thank you.
You’re welcome! I hope that was a helpful thing to hear. Guessing it was.
He is with us always!
I appreciate that there aren’t right or wrong paths, but even with knowing that I always think that I am moving in a direction that Jesus would have had me avoid…and then I get all caught up and stuck in my head about the next choice that I forget to move.
Sometimes it takes a daily reminder to move to get the story to progress, so here is my encouragement to you: Git ‘er Done Don…I need something new to read, and enjoy the good, the bad and ugly of the process(as I am sure you do). Peace out Holmes.:)
Good point – your path comment reminds me of a David Brooks column from yesterday: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general
Love this line…
“Basically, there are just paths. Or maybe there’s just woods, and you have to cut your way through the woods.”
That line struck a chord w/me as well.
IBM’s Thomas Watson is quoted as saying: “Nothing happens until something is sold” (or its variation “Nothing happens until somebody sells something”. Borrow from that and you could say that nothing is written until the writer makes a decision.
“Just decide and move. Just write the thing. Just move.” O to the MG, that makes me smile today! The adventure is picking up pace, I’m definitely in the right woods, it looks pretty thick, but the trees aren’t that hard to chop once you start! How does it feel to be God’s voice in my ear a couple times a week, my friend?
Hmm, is this what your new book is about? Or maybe there is already a book written about this out there. I struggle with this immensely. At times it is really easy to understand that I just need to make a decision, but other times I feel like I JUST.DO.NOT.KNOW what to do. Especially when I’ve got two plates of information that are opposing, and my heart is full of its own feelings. Even my Godly council of wise advisers disagree with one another.
Holy chocolate, someone bring me a piece of cake and throw me in a tub so Calgon can TAKE.ME.AWAY.
How about a Part 2 for this post Mr. Miller, eh? Don’t some things just have God written all over them as though he carried you from point A to point B? I know, I’ve just taken this to a whole ‘nother level of complicated that nobody wants to touch! I will leave it at that. All I can pray today is…God, move — or move me.
Thanks for the timely post…
Anette
Absolutely love “Wonderboys” – and love that quote. May you have God’s discernment in your decisions and may your choices be bold in His Love.
My favorite story to illustrate the hazards o waiting it Oh the places you’ll go by Dr Seuss. The waiting place. I think it paints a pretty dismal picture of what life is like if you get stuck there.
Very true! Reminds me of the quote, “God can’t steer a parked car!”
While there may just be paths, some paths will flat mess you up. Wisdom is the processor choosing wisely.
That cover is funny. It would be fun if you had the alternate covers pictured in the back of the book.
As I’m standing in front of a pretty big decision this post was much needed. I’m notorious for dragging my feet when making decisions, and usually wait until the last minute to “pull the pin”. After reading this post I began to understand it is not so much because I’m looking for the “right” one, but rather I’m afraid. I understand that there are times when God lets us choose and there is not necessarily a “right” and “wrong” but if I am being honest, I don’t want to deal with the mess if it all goes south. So I agonize over which choice will bring the least amount of mess, heartache, frustration, or embarrassment. I think I have an underlying belief (foolishly) that the wisest choice will ultimately bring the least amount of pain, and I search for what is most “wise”. (is wise simply the new word for right?) So like many of us its usually fear that stops me from making a choice, until I absolutely have to.
Heehee! I’m glad for the cover and title that you all decided on in the end
Truly, Don, it is because of your work that we’ve (my wife and I) made a bunch of choices and started moving in specific directions. We’re taking dance lessons now (never danced in our lives), dropped DirecTV for Roku, and are sponsoring a child through Compassion. Not only that, but we’re also committed to healthier lifestyles (eating less/right, and walking more). I attribute much of this to the encouragement of Million Miles.
Thank-you!
Good for you, Chad!
The Missus and I tried swing dance lessons once. But she was six months pregnant and this didn’t make for a joyous experience. We should come back to this…
Other than a dealing with a mildly torn meniscus in my left knee, the dance lessons have been fun. Learning some basic steps. You should get back to it! It’s pretty amazing the workout one can get in a 25 minute lesson!
One of the most helpful sermons I’ve heard in awhile (on Proverbs): http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/your-plans-gods-plans. Favorite quote- “Make a decision…no seriously, just make a decision.”
I asked my mentor once, Professor Greg Spencer, (who funny enough I remember you quoting in Blue Like Jazz) what his advice on writing a book was as I was struggling with direction on mine and he gave me this one word advice: “Finish”
How many amazing stories have floundered and passed away like a salmon on a summer sidewalk because we have not heeded that one freaking word…
It’s easy in life to confuse decisions that matter with ones that don’t. Should I write my first book about this or this? Perhaps either will be fine.
But, perhaps the real question is not ‘what should the book be about’ but ‘should I neglect my wife and kids to spend the time that it will take to actually get the book done?’ It seems to me that we tend to stress over ridiculous minor issues all the while ignoring the things of life that we truly matter. Perhaps writing a book is not what we should be doing at all, perhaps it’s a self indulgent decision?
Sometimes I wonder if subconsciously, (or even consciously) we create mountains over small decisions precisely so we can avoid being honest with ourselves about other, perhaps ‘larger’ decisions that we make.
Agree?
thanks, soon to publish, can send you a copy…
It is much easier to get lost on the journey than to actually find your way.
[...] the world. Speaking of Don Miller, be sure and check out excellent advice about life (and writing) The Choices We Make. But if you are not a writer, just a doodler, you have got to read Jeanne Damoff’s wonderful [...]
HA! I love this! You are so right. If only I hadn’t made so many bad choices. ;o) But you’re right….
God is not a puppet master–He is a wisdom giver.
I often suffer from analysis paralysis (and always have). My Mom used to say to me, “Meg, just DO something. Even if it’s wrong!” Good advice….most of the time.
Wonderboys. Man that’s a good movie. Didn’t think anyone else had even heard of it. I tend to think of that part often. The opposite of writer’s block. Writer’s have to choose what to leave out.
Glad you went with the other cover…I have a strict rule with books…Never read anything with the authors face on the cover. O the inspiration I would have missed out on.
Your book has served me and my husband well.
We are living a better story.
Thanks for making choices and sharing them.