Donald Miller's Blog, page 160

Another Clip from Into the Elements

Why does story matter? with Donald Miller from Brian Mosley on Vimeo.

Here’s another clip from Into the Elements.  I gave this workshop here in Portland about two years ago. It covers all things story. If you’re a writer or speaker, you might find the material helpful. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years will cover similar material, except rather than talking about how to write a good story, I discuss how to actually live a good story.

Another Sample Cover, Only up for a Couple Hours. First Impressions?

Thoughts on the cover design? This may not be it, but I’d love your gut thoughts. Make sure to click the cover because the color changes and the other colors are more accurate. Thanks for your help, guys. I have to take it down tonight, so only a few folks are going to get to see it. Really appreciate it.

A Clip from Into the Elements

Here’s a long clip from a workshop I did on the art of story. The workshop is about story, what a story is and how to use it in writing and speaking.

Introduction to Writing with Donald Miller from Brian Mosley on Vimeo.

Biggles the Bigger Bee

With all the talk about Blue Like Jazz the movie, I’ve failed to mention a children’s show I’m producing here in Portland. We’ve recorded nine episodes so far and it’s going well. 

The show is called Biggles the Bigger Bee. I’m Biggles and each week I put kids from the ages 5 to 7 through various competitions in which they are rewarded based on their ability to find certain products in grocery stores and malls. The coolest thing about the show is it is completely commercial free because in each e

Some advice on writing from Steven King: Write while the idea is fresh.

I collect books about writing. Many of them are terrible, but I’ve found some good ones, and Steven King’s “On Writing” is pretty good. It starts as an auto-biography of his writing life, then moves to practical advice for working with words. Thought you’d like this paragraph. I think it’s true:

 

“Once I start work on a project, I don’t stop and I don’t slow down unless I absolutely have to. If I don’t write every day, the characters begin to stale off in my mind-they begin to seem like character

My writers seminar is now available on DVD

 

Last year I gave a long seminar to a group of writers at the Hollywood Theater here in Portland. It’s now available on DVD. It’s a four-hour seminar on the art of story, covering how speakers and writers can use story to enhance their communication. It’s a big package and a lot of material, but will make a great addition to your writing library. And it will make for a great day seminar for your writers group.

If you speak before live audiences on a regular basis, the seminar teaches how to captu

Blue Like Jazz Movie Update

Steve Taylor is moving forward on shooting Blue Like Jazz the movie. He’s set to shoot in Mid May through June. We will be shooting in Portland and Nashville through the end of June.

I couldn’t be more excited. I’m skyping today with the actor who will likely play me. Unfortunately I can’t tell you who it is until we sign contracts, but we are both stoked on the choice. Anyway, as a teaser, Gabe Lyons over at Relevate took a look at the screenplay and wrote a little review. Just one more glowing

The Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives

Took part in a conference call this week with the Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives in D.C. This government organization was started by George W. Bush and has been continued by President Obama. The program is being run by Joshua Dubois, a friend who worked as a liaison to the religious community for Barack Obama when he was a senator.

Among other things, the CFBCI hopes to level the playing field by helping faith-based organizations who work with the poor and marginalized get acces

I’m Over This Band

It seems like the trend is to get really into a band, not because they are talented, but because they are new. And then once everybody likes them, to not like them anymore. I like this trend because associating yourself with something new and cool makes you seem new and cool. But the trick is to stay ahead of the newness and coolness. 

That’s why I’m completely over “Still Pending” a Portland band that made it big in 2017. I just want to say that now, that I am completely over them. They are tryi

We Are Booking a Fall Tour and Want to Come to Your Town.

If you’d like to bring the Million Miles in a Thousand Years tour to your town, please read the following:

In September, when A Million Miles in a Thousand Years hits bookstores, I’ll be setting out on a 65-city tour. We are just starting to figure out the route, and have certain cities we have to hit. But if you have a venue, or know of a venue you think would house about 1500 people (think of the churches or schools where you’ve seen lots of concerts) would you let us know? Chafee Management is