The Many Faces of Donald-My-Books-Sell-Like-Hotcakes-Miller & A Chance to Win His Books!
A few reviews have compared my writing to Donald Miller lately.
I was a little surprised by that.
I’m more manic that Donald, I think.
I go on and on.
Don is straight forward.
I packed more Christian ideology, more Bible-y, churchy stuff into my books than you’d find in all of Don’s books combined.
But I still get the comparison.
Don is a man of many faces.
And some of them do look a little like mine.
When it comes to Donald Miller’s books themselves–the actual printed copy of Blue Like Jazz or Through Painted Deserts–I have to admit, my husband has always been the bigger fan.
When Chuck read Blue Like Jazz, he would break up into laughter every couple minutes–as if it took him exactly 120 seconds to get to the end of each late night show monologue to a punchline.
“Listen to this,” Chuck would begin, before reading a paragraph from Miller’s book.
Then a few minutes later, “You’ve gotta hear this.”
And then, “One more.”
And then… “just one more”.
And then…….”really, this is the last one.”
You get the idea.
(I ended up hearing half the book read out loud before I ever read it.)
For me Don’s humor was a plus. You want a writer to be real enough to laugh; to not take themselves too darn seriously.
But his wit and sarcasm wasn’t my biggest takeaway.
DON THE WRITER
I liked Don’s writing style.
I liked how his sentences weren’t trying to do too much. They didn’t need commas and semicolons and dashes; they didn’t need to string themselves out over three or four lines.
They read more simply than that, like a ticker tape of Donald’s thoughts. Then they sewed his personal observations together into mini-essays about big topics–like the quest to understand spirituality.
But when it came to this end–the actual makings of spirituality–Donald left me more curious than anything.
DON THE THINKER
I read between the simple lines that Donald Miller was a thinker.
He said only a little bit about some things–exactly how much he wanted to say–not everything he could have said.
He wasn’t showing off his entire intellectual capacity or dumping his whole theological backpack into one book.
Clearly, this was by design.
Part of me wanted Don to give the reader more; to attach his insights to a broader understanding of the Christian story. To explain, in some cases, how someone might follow his simple introduction into a deeper and growing faith. Or to defend himself a bit, when he purposefully only grazed issues the church considers most important.
After reading his books, I met Donald Miller a couple times, at the Calvin Faith and Writing Festival, for example. And then again at Q. And then again at Elmbrook church, where we were both speakers at a women’s conference.
Take the term “met” sort of loosely though. These were brief, several minute conversations–not hours over coffee. But they made me sure Don had way more to say than what he could or did fit into Blue Like Jazz.
This was further confirmed two minutes into a Q&A at Calvin, when a man in the audience (who seemed to be a pretty strict fundamentalist) shot his hand up with an obvious agenda. I don’t remember his exact question. I just remember it implied that Don’s writing was relativistic. I.e. That it was sidestepping the gospel message.
And this is when something telling happened.
Don opened his mouth.
And what came out was nothing like Blue Like Jazz.
It was not Don telling a story.
It was not Don side stepping the question with some witty remark or goofy joke.
It was not Don sounding like J.D. Salinger.
It was Don sounding like someone who understood church, who had read and re-read the Bible, who had engaged in deep, theological conversations with Christian teachers.
It was Don the Thinker.
Don unpacked, very methodically, exactly how he drew meaning from a series of Biblical passages–speaking about them with such ease and detail, that it was apparent he was a student of the Bible, in addition to being a student of writing. When the man in the audience pushed back, challenging Don’s position with another reference to Scripture, Don instantly recognized the passage the man had cited and easily expounded how he saw that passage fitting into the overarching message of Jesus and how the principle of the passage might be applied in today’s setting.
It was this moment that I joined my husband as a fan of Donald Miller.
DON THE WRITER OF MORE THAN ONE BOOK
It was obvious to me that Don had far more intellectual and Scriptural prowess than he’d shown off in his book.
I wish he’d shown more of that off; tipped his hat a little more. But I disagree with his critics who drop him into a pre-conceived liberal, relativistic slot.
I think maybe Blue Like Jazz wasn’t meant to be his entire relationship with his readers. Maybe he didn’t feel pressured to unpack all the doctrinal points, to defend whether his observations fit perfectly into mainline Christian frameworks. Maybe it was just his introduction–his Hi, how are you? I’m Don book.
Maybe he left himself room to grow, room to learn more, to study more, to love the Bible and interact with Jesus more; to reveal more of himself and his beliefs, as time goes on.
I’d like to think this is true of all of us. One book, or one stage of life, isn’t intended to be a comprehensive collection of every thought we have. Of everything we could say. Its just a slice of who we are and what has happened to us; a percentage of the many things that make up our belief system.
DON THE STORY-LIVER
Later, at Elmbrook, was the first time I saw Don present the premise
behind his current book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
The idea for the book came from Don’s experiences working with some film people who wanted to make a movie from his life. They had to tweak Don’s story, here and there, to make it fit the plotlines that drew movie goers into a script.
While making the movie, Don began reflecting on his life–how more than just making the script version of himself more interesting, he could set out to live a good story himself.
He reflected that the story some of us are living, full of meaningless rituals as we pay car payments and clock in and out of work, wouldn’t make a very good script. No one would pay to see a movie about that.
So, if we wouldn’t spend two bucks to rent a movie about that, why would we put our every waking moment into living that same monotonous story?
I got this book when it came out. And I like it, I like what it calls people to, quite a bit more than Don’s earlier works.
DON WHO LIVES A UNIQUE ROLE
I still want Don to show his theological cards a little more; to flex his spiritual muscles more, but I’m thinking that maybe this will come too, in bits and pieces, across his writing and across his life. And that maybe sometimes I want these things for the wrong reason–to appease his critics, to see him clearly brand himself a member of the evangelical church, rather than appreciating that Don is responsible to God (and not a jury of his peers, as he says).
I think that, maybe, what God is doing in Donald is different than what he is doing in all you pastors and church-goers.
Maybe Don’s role isn’t supposed to be the same as yours.
Maybe Don is inviting hundreds of thousands of readers–who wouldn’t otherwise pick up an overtly Christian book–to shake God’s hand.
Maybe Donald Miller is the greeter at the door. The guy who says, “Hi, how are you? Human, this is God. God, this is Human.”
That’s nothing to sneeze at, people.
And if I ever get compared to that part of Don, the part that introduces people to God, I’d consider it a compliment.
***
To celebrate Don’s evolution as a writer, thinker and person of faith, I am giving away 5 copies of his new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, to 5 people who will be randomly selected from those who comment on this blog post.
You can leave a comment for Sarah about this blog post or any other
post by clicking on the brown comment box under the title.
Wally March 4, 2010 (11:17 am)
Beautifully said Sarah! I remember, after Don was being criticized about BLJ, how he reminded his critics that he is not a pastor, that he is a writer. Yet he also humbly, and brilliantly, didn’t allow that to keep him from tackling some of the critiques of his work. At times I too have wanted more from Don, but probably for the wrong reasons. Great thoughts, so helpful.
Kathleen McDade March 4, 2010 (11:45 am)
Your husband sounds like mine! I don’t even have to read the books myself. :-) I wish I could have heard the conversation you described, between Don and the fundamentalist.
Ian Scott Paterson March 4, 2010 (11:54 am)
My favorite has always been Through Painted Deserts. I prefer Don the storyteller, because that’s who I resonate more. His more theological/spiritual books are hit or miss for me, mainly he makes some really good points that he tries to prove with stories about how awesome his life is or the time he met this famous person or went on this adventure. Mostly I’m just jealous.
I did, however, get my hands on a copy of a lecture he did on story called “Let Story Guide You.” It’s the best thing he’s ever done. I’ve read all of his books and read his blogs often. This is better. I, like you, fell hard and fast for Don the Public Speaker.
Overall, I’m a fan of the guy. He’s inspiring people to live more adventurously. The things he’s doing with The Mentoring Project are very encouraging, and I probably wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to sit and have a beer with him someday.
And maybe he could introduce me to Obama — Ian
Mary March 4, 2010 (12:16 pm)
Love Don Miller. I may not always agree with his angle or his take but Blue Like Jazz really hit me hard…one of my favorite books ever. Finally a REAL book about REAL Christianity. Through Painted Deserts is another favorite of mine. I haven’t read the new one yet but I hope to soon (maybe I’ll win it?). LOL!
Nice blog!
Robin Koskela Bain March 4, 2010 (12:36 pm)
My favorite (believer) authors are Donald Miller and Anne Lamott, every other faith based author’s work seems to come across as sermon style.While I may buy and study a Beth Moore book, I will buy and fall into Don or Anne’s books.
Shannon March 4, 2010 (1:23 pm)
I am just getting into Donald’s work and am loving it. Blue Like Jazz has been a read read thus far. I look forward to reading more of his work. I only wish I would have discovered his books sooner.
beth March 4, 2010 (1:30 pm)
I really enjoyed Don’s book “Searching for God Knows What”. I found it incredibly helpful. I’ve been very curious about this new book & wanting to read it very much!
sarah e. March 4, 2010 (2:03 pm)
This is perfect. I started reading Blue Like Jazz my first year in college..and since then have devoured his other works. I totally relate with the part when you talk about your husband wanting to read aloud different parts of the book! haha you cant help but share some of his stories with others when they are not only humorous but so easy to relate to!
he’s fantastic..I’m so grateful that someone with his mind and writing ability has followed his calling and worked towards sharing his life with others.
dustinuga March 4, 2010 (2:30 pm)
Loved the post. Love to read the book–never have!
Ed Cyzewski March 4, 2010 (4:23 pm)
Ha! Did I somehow spark a 5-book giveaway by comparing you to Don Miller?
Well, I stand by my assessment. :)
I should remove myself from the giveaway though since I already have a copy of Miller’s latest book. I snagged two through the blogger review program, and gave one to a friend who now owes me… for the rest of her life.
Timothy Kurek March 4, 2010 (4:43 pm)
Very good blog! Don is an interesting guy and a fantastic writer for sure! I’m like your husband. I laugh every time I read his books, even if I’ve read them already.
I’ll hope to read some of yours soon too!
cheers,
tim
Molly March 4, 2010 (4:44 pm)
Don’s latest book brought a lot of laughter as well as inspiration to me. I want to live a better story. I’m trusting God is writing it!
Joanna March 4, 2010 (5:32 pm)
I love Blue Like Jazz. It’s one of those books that i can read many times over and still be impacted by
Amy March 4, 2010 (10:38 pm)
Very cool compliment indeed. I’ll have to tell you what I think once I finish your book. :)
Kathryn March 4, 2010 (11:22 pm)
Miller’s new book is one of my favorite’s so far. As my only child prepares to graduate from high school and go off to college, I am examining my life and wondering what story it’s telling and if it’s the story I want to tell. I think faith journey literature is a genre that doesn’t need to be judged because it is what it is and it’s an individual experience.
Into the Blue (2005) Movie Trailer March 4, 2010 (11:44 pm)
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Michael March 5, 2010 (12:45 am)
I was recently introduced to Don’s work with the book Blue Like Jazz and I have to say that I became a huge fan of his because of it. That one book made me question so much of what I thought I knew about God. I learned more reading that than I have reading many, many other books on Christian Spirituality by renowned authors. I too would like to read more about his theological side.
Gary Walter March 5, 2010 (4:58 am)
Sarah, I bought a copy of Blue Like Jazz as soon as I learned who wrote it. Then our church plant began to lose steam, funding, and momentum and we moved back to Oregon.
You have inspired me to dig it out of the box and read it now – I think he may answer some of my struggles in my last personal blog post.
(PS: If you pick me to win a book, don’t pick me for Blue Like Jazz lol)
Sarah Cunningham March 5, 2010 (8:52 am)
Congratulations winners! You have been notified if you won in your email inbox. Winners, feel free to announce your status on your website, twitter pages, facebook etc.
Mike March 5, 2010 (4:02 pm)
awww, late for breakfast again! Wonderful insight, Sarah. Donald’s books and insights have helped me read the Bible more as a story and less as a math book, which is a trap of religion.
Deetz April 20, 2012 (8:27 pm)
Thanks for this one.