rebelling against low expectations
It’s time for a technological rebelution. The stats and facts are clear: more and more members of our generation are unable to manage technology use on their own– and are facing disastrous consequences. This is the problem: our generation is using technology as toys, not tools. So it’s time for us to rise up and be different. To refuse to settle for our culture’s low expectations of how we use...
Almost every hero in history shares a common trait: they started young. Jonathan Edwards went to Harvard at age 13. He would become one of the most influential figures of The Great Awakening and write a series of 70 Resolutions as a 19- and 20-year old. Blaise Pascal began studying geometry at age 12. He would go on to invent the calculator at 19. Jane Austen started writing seriously as a child...
I was 11 the first time I heard about Brett and Alex Harris. I was introduced to these brothers like so many of you were — through a red book called Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. This book lit a white-hot fire within me that burned throughout my teen years. They empowered me: I wouldn’t let culture hijack my youth; I wanted to do hard things for the glory of God...
We have BIG news. Over the last few weeks, we have been releasing a ton of free resources for young writers. First Brett shared a special piece of encouragement to young writers, called, “No, Writing As A Career Isn’t Silly.” Then we released the Young Writers Guidebook – a collection of deeply inspiring tips from 20 authors who got published as young people. After that, we...
Have you taken the WriterScore yet? We released the WriterScore to help young people measure their growth and development as writers. It’s an assessment that gives you a numerical score — which translates into one of four categories. You’re either a Dreamer, a Starter, a Planner, or an Achiever. A lot of thought and nuance went into the actual scoring system. It’s not just a vanity...
I’ve dreamed of writing a book for as long as I can remember, but I never thought it was actually possible. Teens like me don’t get published. Until they do. Because I did. And not because I’m special (seriously, not at all!). It’s because, after writing for several years, I became aware of the strategy for success. I found a community and a mentor, worked as hard as I could, and it eventually...
Most people believe that teenagers can’t get published. At least, not “normal” teenagers. It takes outrageous talent, famous connections, or astounding luck. Just like making it to the NFL or winning the lottery. It’s a common cultural assumption: normal young writers like you or me could rarely, if ever, get published. But what if that was just a myth? What if that assumption is not so accurate...
Six years ago, I had no idea how to be a writer. Well, that’s not quite accurate. I was writing at the time, so technically I was a writer. But I didn’t know how to grow as a writer. I didn’t know where to find motivation. I didn’t have a strategy for success. I didn’t have a mentor. I didn’t have a writing group. I hadn’t developed solid writing habits. I was undisciplined and regularly suffered...
“Technology is so immersive, it’s like oxygen.” So says Tony Reinke, a senior staff writer and researcher for desiringGod, who has studied culture and technology for years. “It’s so around us that we don’t even recognize technology as what it is. We’re sort of bathed in technology, if you will.” He’s right. In our day and age, technology is pervasive, and, in our culture...
T’is the season for gift lists galore. Gifts for the home cook or the movie buff or the traveler. Gifts for your best friend, gifts for your nephews and nieces, gifts for your parents. This is a gift list for your teens. Parents, you’re scratching your heads this Christmas, wondering about their wish lists, debating over video games and smartphones and Netflix subscriptions. Put aside your fears...
rebelling against low expectations
