Author Conversations Worth Watching

I do not watch many YouTube videos. If you search these entries on The Writing Life, you will notice that I often refer to a book or a magazine or newspaper article--something which appears in a printed format instead of YouTube.

Recently I read a post from Mary Beth Whalen (no relation notice the spelling of her last name). She pointed out the vulnerability in a YouTube video from author Anne Lamott:

This conversation is almost an hour but well worth the viewing time in what you will learn about the author, her commitment to the craft of writing and other insights.

The experience stirred me to learn more about Dean Nelson and The Writer's Symposium by the Sea. Because I love the work of Eugene Peterson and The Message Bible, I also watched the conversation with Dr. Peterson, who is rarely interviewed:

Again this interview holds good insight for any writer about storytelling. I dug a bit further into this series and located the complete listing of various writer interviews over the 13 year history.

As a writer, I've learned a great deal from my interviews with more than 150 bestselling authors. After my sessions with each author, I've written many magazine articles about these writers and how they practice their craft. The experience has built a tremendous amount into my own life--much more than is reflected in the large body of work from these interviews.

You can pick up different hints for your own writing as you watch these conversations from some authors that you know and admire and others that you have never heard about or barely know their names. It will take you (and me) a long time to work through these various conversations. I point it out as a rich resource for your own growth as a writer.

A Different Look At The Book

The most recent issue of Publishers Weekly that I received (October 15) had a Bible and the cover story words, "The Bible’s New Versions, From Manga to DVD, the Oldest Story Enjoys New Tellings." The article highlights audio and video Bible products from different publishers.

The opening sentence of the article implies these products are a new trend to help people from every persuasion to use the Bible. From my many years of writing about Bible products, I understand publishers are constantly producing new Bible product and in every category--print and audio. Like other areas of book publishing, the publishing houses are eager to meet the needs of new generations and new readers. It is nothing new. Publishers are always looking for a way for more people to read and absorb the words of Scripture. I think it's one of those stories where people in the church know they "should" be reading their Bibles but will they take the time and effort to do it? Sadly few people invest the energy in this direction toward a book which can change their daily lives. Yes, intellectually they may know it but will they carry it out with consistency.

Over 15 years ago, I wrote a little magazine article which has been reprinted in a number of different publications called "Listening Through The Bible." I wrote it in the days before CDs and referred to the Bible on tape. Here's a startling fact that I've known for years: if you listen to the Bible for 20 minutes a day, then you can make it through the entire Bible text from Genesis to Revelation in four months. I love the Bible on audio and have a number of different versions which I use from time to time. Yet for me, I continue to be committed to reading the printed Bible. This year, I've been reading through The Daily Message by Eugene Peterson and I've completed 298 days toward reading the entire text.

Let's apply this consistency to your writing life. Do you have a plan or a goal? Are you consistently writing toward that goal? Break it into bite-size chunks and continue to move toward it. You will be surprised how much can be accomplished with this consistent action.