I ran across something I wrote in 2011 about Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. The idea that stuck with me then was simple: a character doesn’t change unless they go through hard times and conflict. Without it, the character stays one-dimensional. I used Braveheart as my example. I’ve always loved that … Continue reading Fifteen Years Later
Category: Books & Writing
Tell Good Stories
I saw the new Super Mario Galaxy movie today with my family. It was really well made. The animation was gorgeous, the 3D was good, and the story was well told. But here’s what got me. Nintendo layered thirty years of Easter eggs into a movie that works perfectly for a seven-year-old who’s never picked … Continue reading Tell Good Stories
Evidence of Creativity
Assessment Week 2 — Day 2 | The 7-40 Challenge Some people would try to tell you that creativity is hard. That only certain people are creative, and only at certain times. Like creativity is this mystical thing sitting just beyond a veil — and that veil only opens for the fortunate few who know … Continue reading Evidence of Creativity
Cover Band
Day 79 | The 7-40 Challenge I’m about to open a piece about not playing covers with a cover. I know. Stay with me. Todd Henry makes a distinction between cover bands and original artists. A cover band can be really good — fill a room, play the songs people love, make decent money on … Continue reading Cover Band
The Dashboard Moved
Day 72 of the 7-40 Challenge One of the interesting things about publishing a book is you get a dashboard. It tells you how you’re doing. The number goes up, that’s good. The number sits still — well, that’s data too. Either way, you’re watching it. This past week, since I let people know about … Continue reading The Dashboard Moved
