Sure. It's been a while since I've blogged. But every now and then I get excited about the world of web logging and get a few seconds to muck around on the net. And so today I decided to share my good news with my thousands of loyal readers.
Someone famous is reading my book.
Well he's not famous famous. But he is well-known. Particularly in Australia.
His name is Mark McCrindle and he is a social analyst, or futurist. He runs McCrindl research which is a company that researches social trends and specialises on Generational research. It was because of his online research (mcrindle.com.au) that got me thinking about generations in the first place.
[Note: If you are reading my blog for the first time (welcome and where have you been?), you'll need to know that the book that I've written is about bridging the Generation gap, and in particular trying to figure out how to engage the current generation of teenagers long enough that we might jam the gospel down their throats.]
I went to a conference (compulsory professional developement - don't call me nerd), and he was the keynote speaker. I met him and he told me that he knew I had been writing some stuff. I picked my chin up off the floor and asked if he'd like to read it. He said yes. I said great. He gave me a copy of his book, 'The ABC or XYZ' (catchy huh.)
And so he now has a copy of my book on his bedside table.
And hopefully he's reading it.
And hopefully he doesn't think that it's rubbish.
And even if he does, at least I can say that someone famous-ish, has read my book.
Peace out.
13 years ago
Hey Josh, thanks for the link I just started reading your book and WOW.
ReplyDeleteIt's really good!
Glad this big cheese is reading it, sure he will think the same.
At the moment I'm only up to page 11, but I really like this --> "I was as creative as possible. I put in nearly as much effort as I should've." Haha, love it.
How long did it take you to write? When did you first get the idea to start? I'm interested to know other people's creative process, because mine seems to be all over the place!
Hope you're having a good day,
Jess
Well the story goes like this - I had a student teacher last year for four weeks and so while she taught my classes I sat in the back of the room and just wrote. It was only supposed to be short, and then I got carried away... It took me about 2 and a half months to write - but I have this really annoying habbit where once I start something I have to finish it as soon as possible. It's highly frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThe idea for the content I explain in the first chapter - I was teaching and not having any 'success' engaging kids. Once I changed tact and started treating them as Gen Z I managed to get some success... and now I have Gen Z kids I wanted to know how they tick.
Also - I suppose it's not so much a creative piece, than a stripping down and rearranging of my thoughts and views on the culture that we live in...
Anyhow.
That was a long winded answer.
Josh
Hey, so I just finished reading your book. I really got a lot out of it, not just that it was written well and for all the stuff you covered, it was consistently interesting. As a youth leader (Andy and I run the Youth Group at our church. It is small, and we only started it because no-one else was, so still not sure if we are actually gifted in that area), it was a great, very practical read. I would definitely recommend it to others teaching or trying to connect with youth. I was especially challenged by the idea of structure (our group time is very come-what-may), and of using technology to engage them more. I think we have just taken for granted that our kids are pretty no-frills Christian kids from poor families who will sit and listen when you tell them to. But perhaps it is telling, and these are the reasons why, they haven't/don't invite their friends very often. Not many kids are like them, and I guess to evangelize we need to tailor our time to what the average kid off the street would expect. Thanks for that, like I said I really got a lot out of it. Very impressed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess - I'm glad it was helpful. You should ask the kids at your church about the 'structure' they have at home.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a set bedtime?
Do you sit down as a family for dinner?
Do you go out as a family?
Do you do activities (eg soccer training) where you need to be ready by a particular time?
Etc
If you asked a group of Gen Z this question, I think you'll find the answers will be no, no, no and no...
... which the kids will say that they love (I can do what I want, when I want it), but deep down they hate.
21st century parents have a lot to answer for in my humble opinion.
Right. I'm going to stop now, I could talk about this stuff all day!
Josh