If writing a book about writing a movie about a book you once wrote about yourself isn’t the ultimate act of narcissism then doing a 65-city book tour promoting said book must be. I’ve never been more tired of any human being than I am of myself these last few weeks. It’s endless talk about why I wrote a book and why it’s important. Each night I give a presentation and two days each week are filled with radio interviews in which I explain why this book matters and why people should part with twenty bucks to read it. It’s a sad existence, but the truth is, with blogs and twitter and facebook, it’s just a commodified life that most of us are already living, that is to process our lives to be openly praised and criticized by neutral onlookers. So why do it? Here are a few confessions and observations and justifications regarding the act of writing about yourself: 1. Confession: There is something in me that wants to be known by others. I share my life to have other people read about it, put down the book, look me in the eye and say “you exist.” 2. Confession: Half [...]
We’ve been on the road for more than a month now, and have more than a month to go. Already we’ve accumulated some epic memories, including boating on Lake Washington with author Barb Pine, and enjoying a trombone serenade in the lovely and hospitable home of the infamous Rob Bell. And, night after night, the fact that anybody, much less hundreds of people, would pay $15 to come out and hear an author speak amazes both Susan and me. My favorite part of each night is guiding the audience into the tension involved in the idea that Jesus is not the climax to your human story, and that God intends and even lends very difficult conflict to your life. Both of these are Biblical ideas, largely indisputable, that are not taught in churches in America, and are downright opposed in most Christian books. You can cut the tension in the air with a knife, each time I get to that part of the talk. Hopefully the tension is relieved by the end of the talk, but sometimes it isn’t. I’ve actually had people come up to me and say they thought I was about to renounce my faith, which, in [...]
It’s been several years since I’ve released a new book. And add to that this is my first hardback. I told an audience on the book tour that, perhaps, this is the first book I’ve ever actually been proud of. Not sure if that is because I’ve grown up or if the other books just seemed flat to me. Regardless, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years hits stores today. I waited until today to thank you, the people who read this blog. The truth is you had remarkably influential input in the editing of this book. At least twice I posted sections of the book I wasn’t sure about, and your feedback shaped those chapters. In fact, chapter two of the book was taken out, simply because several of you spoke out and said the book was dragging. The rough draft of the book was 110k words, and the final is 54k. Much of that cutting and editing happened because you guys gave me proper feedback. I’ll never write a book without you again, I assure you. The book is getting favorable reviews. And though only a handful of people have read it, the “thanks” that has been coming [...]
As I’ve wrapped up the book and started the book tour, I’ve definitely been wearing two hats. Publicly it’s been getting the word out about the new book, but behind the scenes the locomotive that is The Mentoring Project has moved forward at a dramatic pace. In the past six months or so, we’ve hired a new President and a new communications director, and are currently planning our dream team to take our vision forward. As I speak on the road, I’m asking for people to partner with us in providing mentors for young men growing up without fathers, and I’m amazed and encouraged at how many have stepped forward to join us. It’s been humbling but also exciting. Last week I met with the Presidential Task Force on Fatherhood and Healthy Families. While we’ve met before, this was our first work retreat in which we plunged into the issue over an extended series of meetings, preparing our recommendations for the President as he and his team steer the administration around the topic of fatherhood. I was encouraged as we met and talked about fatherhood and fatherlessness that the church in America is poised to make an enormous impact. In fact, [...]
We are in our van on the way to Spokane. We were able to score a big passenger van with wifi so I get to update this blog at 70 mph. Tonight will be the 4th of 65 events, and so far the events are going well. I got slammed with a head cold but for some reason each night it doesn’t affect my talk. We are in that early part of the tour where the crew is getting to know each other, and so far so good. Out with me is Susan Isaacs, who opens the night with a monologue from her one-woman show (Think God Says Ha by Julia Sweeny) and then I come out and do a lecture that perhaps is more funny than academic, depending on the venue. Our road manager, Brent Gibbs, is remarkable and we couldn’t do this without him. Then my booking agent is out for a week and Susan’s husband is with us too. We have a World Vision/The Mentoring Project rep out whose name is Melody and hales from Nashville. Quite a little crew just to talk into a microphone. Tonight we are at Whitworth so the talk might change a [...]
