Guest Post

Donald Miller is one of my favorite writers and also a friend.  If you haven’t read his books, my two favorite are A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and Through Painted Deserts.

Because Don is a super-nice guy, on his blog today there’s an excerpt from Bittersweet.

It’s kind of a rant-y feminist-y excerpt from a chapter in Bittersweet called Princess-Free Zone.  There are all sorts of interesting comments already—read them, leave one, jump into the discussion.  I chose this excerpt because I read Don’s blog, and lately there have been a lot of interesting posts and comments about gender, dating, stereotypes, etc.—some that I agree with and some that I don’t.  

As in any profession, there are lots of writers who are great at their jobs and great from a distance, but when you meet them, you’re a little disappointed—because they’re unkind or indifferent, because they take themselves too seriously or believe their own press.  Donald Miller is the other kind—the kind that when you meet him, you like him and you believe him. We were at dinner with a group earlier this year, and I was trying my hardest not to fan out on him…but about three quarters of the way through, I broke down and said to him: “I just love your writing.  I think you’re great. Great-great. Great.”  Articulate, right?  But he was lovely, and answered all my questions, even though the rest of the people at the table were a lot more important than I was.

So all that to say, check out the excerpt and bookmark his blog—it’s a good one. 

I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise, with a few links and reviews, and then again the next day with an update on, oh, one million things including but not limited to: moving home from the lake, my first ever race, the official book release, the Summit, a wedding, and a 20 mile run.  We’ve been busy around here!

Comments

[Mighty Duck]

If there's one thing I'm a little jealous of (besides your having such a great dad), it would have to be the amazing circles in which your life moves. I've been listening to old Catalyst Podcasts and just heard one from a 2006 interview with Donald Miller. He rocks! Looking forward to hearing all your news. Congrats on the book. I just finished it and have many pages dog-eared. Summit was great --- I'm curious what you liked the most and what spoke to you the most. Some of the Goat Girl's attended together and had some great discussions. Grace & Grins.

[D.J. Hughes at The Quiet Quill]

I read your excerpt on Donald Miller's blog today, and wow, what a flurry of responses! The first time I read your excerpt, I instantly resonated with the intent of what I think you were trying to say. Also, I liked your style and voice that came through even in that short piece of writing. I have continued to mull over this idea of a "princess-free zone" throughout the day. Interesting idea. I'm not entirely sure about subscribing to a princess-free zone yet, at least not as far as prohibiting my youngest daughter from playing dress up. But I totally agree with the need to raise intelligent, capable women - not helpless victims or someone who uses her beauty to manipulate others. I think I need to read the rest of the context that the excerpt is part of, so now I will have to go get both Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet. Thanks. Your words have been thought-provoking, to say the least, and they have inspired me to get your books (and I am always looking for new books!).

Congratulations on your second publication.

[Julie]

I watched/attended the summit via satelite. I saw you introduce the "land between". Something you said, God used to grab me and for the next 60 mintues I sobbed. Had no plans to buy books but, I bought your book and Jeff's. I just finished "say something". I have 3 girlfriends in mind I can't wait to discuss this book with. Thank you for sharing your stories so beautifully. What a gift it is to me to help express my own thoughts on my own unexpected changes and loss. I thank God for it! And, I plan on inviting some friends over for dinner. I used to all the time and had stopped doing so because I believed my carpet was too dirty. What a dumb excuse, right?! Thank you again for sharing your heart so honestly n your book! Our world, or maybe just mine is starving for such honest reflections...

[Jordan]

Shalom Shauna,

Re Princesses,

Check this out:

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/05/24/what-disney-princess.html

Wholeness,
Jordan