Monthly Archives: February 2012

Your Chance to Ask Questions

Posted on February 29, 2012 by avatar

Do you ever have a day where you just come up blank?

Today, I was immersed in the joy of using a brand-spankin-new software system for my parish’s ministry scheduling. We’re not a very big parish, but wow, is ministry scheduling the bane of my work there!

I was excited and dreading it in equal amounts.

After about four hours of work and finagling, I was all happy and proud of myself for the work I’d done.

I walked away from my laptop and went to surprise my seven-year-old by picking her up from school.

In the hour (or less) while I was away from my computer, the work I did…vanished. Gone. Even support, in all their wisdom, couldn’t put it back together again.

So here I am, after another hour (or two) of work (thank goodness for a dinner miracle), with the work finally done that wasn’t supposed to take even close to that long.

I have a blank page (or screen) in front of me, and no idea of what to put on it in the five minutes I have left in my working day. All the topics I have slated to cover here take more brainpower than I have left.

I thus declare it open forum on the topic of blogging.

Go ahead, ask away in the comments.

I can’t promise an immediate answer, but I will answer. And maybe you’ll inspire a future post.

Shameless plug: if you haven’t already registered for the Catholic Online Writers Conference, you’re missing your chance to have my full attention! I’m teaching not one, but TWO, forums this year and doing at least that many chats. I’m not an expert, not by a far shot, but I’ll share what I know and point you in the direction to get started. (If you’re an expert, get on over there

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It’s the season of Lent: Are you tending the garden?

Posted on February 28, 2012 by avatar

During Lent, something is happening that most garden-variety Catholics wouldn’t even have on their radar-screen. A small budding seed that grew somewhere quietly is being fed, nurtured, and mentored right in their own backyard. As with most Catholics attending Mass on Sundays, they only see this garden’s growth with the calling of the names during Lent, the special blessings and sending forth prior to communion. Maybe even then, it is just an added attraction that extends the Mass as does an occasional baptism. But, there is more to this and each and every Catholic sitting in the pews has a part in this process.

The RCIA program is not just for newcomers, it is meant for all Catholics. Like planting a garden, the selection of the seeds, their needs of sunlight, water, good soil are important for a successful harvest. Careful planning of what, when, and how to plant the seeds; even preserving the new seeds for the next season are considered. Preparation is key to this process and without help from family members, friends, it would be a lonely and even daunting job.

As with a spring garden, those in the RCIA programs in your parish are experiencing new growth, too. They are studying, being nurtured, taking classes, and they need our prayers. During Lent, they are coming to the end of their journey into the Catholic Church. The goal, in sight, is a celebration that takes preparation. How they got here, what brought them to this place and who will help them during and after they arrive is Catholic-based. The seed has come to the surface, desiring more sunlight, water, and fertile soil to continue to grow and blossom.

Get out your watering cans, put your garden gloves on, and see where you can be a part of this for someone. Yes, pray for them, smile at them, and speak to them encouraging words. Be a welcoming face in the new community that they so desire to be a part of.

This is what Lent is all about, yes get rid of the candy for 40 days, stop snacking for a few weeks, pray the rosary and stations of the Cross, most definitely! But, remember the newcomers, remember them spiritually, physically, and be a support for them during your Lenten journey this year. This is a level far deeper than giving up candy.

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What’s it all about? How Theme can help your story shine.

Posted on February 28, 2012 by avatar

Theme comes in lots of shapes, sizes, and variations, but embodies the core of what something is about, whether it’s your brand as a writer, the story you’re writing, the characters you’re writing about – or the music you’re listening to while writing. So what is theme, and how can it help focus and clarify your purpose as an author?

Theme is the underlying idea that makes something tick. It is pervasive and affects everything about the whole, without being overt or overbearing. In fact, the best practical expression of theme in writing rarely shows up as words on paper. Rather, theme directs the words in order to come up with a finished product with specific meaning at a deeper level.

Let’s look at theme from the big picture to the more detailed aspects. First is your theme as a writer. Why do you write? What do you hope to accomplish – and how are you different from the thousands of other writers out there? If you’ve never written a mission statement for yourself, this is a great exercise. The answers to these questions can keep you focused and motivated. A bonus for taking a few minutes, hours, or weeks to analyze your purpose is that you may come up with a brand, a concise statement of why you are unique and what you have to offer your readers. If you’d like to take more time to contemplate your calling as a writer, Lent is a perfect time for reflection. Use it!

On to story. What are you writing about? Not the plot – what happens – but the deeper meaning? This is the place for clichés. Not in the writing, but in your mind. Clichés tend toward the universal, and that’s what you’re after here. Identify the most resonant concept underpinning your story. Love conquers all… People and relationships are more important than one-upping the Joneses… Revenge, or mercy? Man against nature/beast (human or otherwise)/impossible odds, etc. Once you nail it down, make sure that the theme drives every scene in the story. Don’t beat the reader over the head with it—theme is best conveyed through subtlety—but your awareness will influence the words as they pour forth. Theme will provide conflict and growth throughout the book, even if each scene doesn’t have an overt thematic question.

One caveat about theme (a very large one), as it relates to story: Do not use theme to further your agenda. Readers will pick up on it and put your book down. Let the characters struggle with the issues in a natural, organic way; don’t have them act out a morality tale. Ellen Gable Hrkach alludes to this aspect of theme in her post on Feb. 13, 2012, Improve the Odds for Self-Publishing Success. Her first book, Emily’s Hope, enjoyed modest sales to a narrow audience. Please note, there is nothing wrong with this; if your mission is to be the voice for an issue, or you write without regard to readership or sales, that is your prerogative. Ellen stated, in writing that particular book, if her words touched one person, she would have achieved her goal. She clearly succeeded. But Ellen then wished to engage a larger audience. What did she do? She chose to widen the scope of theme in subsequent books – which are selling more briskly. So the idea of theme circles back to one’s theme as writer, which will inform your choices of theme in specific works.

Which leads us to the third level of theme. Characters. Each character should have a core belief or value that can be summed up in a short phrase. Duty first… Me first… Life is an adventure! Life is dangerous… Again, clichés rule here. What is most important to each individual character, i.e., what will they fight to the death for? The flip side is critical, too. What conflict will the character walk away from, and why? Once you understand your characters, keep that core belief in mind as you write. Your characters will stay true to themselves and their motivations, making for a book that readers will remember long after they’ve finished it. A bonus at this level: Your character’s theme is always a two-edged sword. Use it. Create conflict with it – and then find a way for the character to grow. By the end of the book, their theme may have changed; at the very least, they will live it in a deeper manner, and the reader will love them (and you) for it.

Do you consciously use theme in your writing? If so, how? Or, as you look back on your work, can you see theme at any of the three levels we’ve examined?

Posted in Catholic Writing and Publishing, Encouragement for Writers, Fiction, Marketing Your Work, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

CWG Prayer Chain Post: February 27, 2012

Posted on February 27, 2012 by avatar

The CWG Prayer Chain Post is a weekly post for members to include their special intentions by adding a comment.   

Psalm 27: 7-9, 13-14

Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry, pity me, answer me! Of you my heart has said, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Yahweh, I seek; do not turn away from me. Do not thrust aside your servant in anger, without you I am helpless. Never leave me; never forsake me, God, my Saviour.

This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh, in the land of the living. Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh.

The power of prayer and the power of people praying.

February Intention Prayer

THE ANGELUS

V- The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R- And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
(Hail Mary….)

V- Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R- Be it done unto me according to thy word.
(Hail Mary….)

V- And the Word was made Flesh.
R- And dwelt among us.
(Hail Mary….)

V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Please leave a comment with your intention. If you have problems adding an intention, email it to Mike Hays at coachhays(at)gmail(dot)com and I will add it.  God bless.

Posted in Catholic Writing and Publishing | 1 Comment

Writers – Where do you write?

Posted on February 27, 2012 by avatar

Jen Fulwiler is having a blog fest on Wednesday, topic is: Photos of where you do your writing.

On Wednesday, I’m going to put up a linky list where fellow bloggers and writers can link to posts where they give us a tour of the spaces where they write, so start snapping pictures now. (And I’m defining “writer” very loosely here: if you create Facebook status updates, you’re a writer in my book.)

I realize that not everyone in the world thinks that this is a fascinating topic — but I am fascinated by it enough to make up for them. And I want details! How do you organize your space? What kind of pens do you have in your cupholders? What else do you use this area of your home for? What does your chair look like?

It occurred to me we might have few writers hanging around this place . . . check out Jen’s website to learn more about how to participate.

–>  If you read here and decide to do the photo-fest, feel free to leave a comment letting everyone know you’ve added your name and link to Jen’s event.

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Ask and it Will be Given to You

Posted on February 26, 2012 by avatar

Here is the second installment in our Lenten journey. Today Karina Fabian shares her journey to becoming a writer for God. However don’t be put off by the writer part, because the devotion is chock full of ideas for life and not just for writers. As mentioned in the previous devotion feel free to share your stories here or on Karina’s website or any of the other blogs where you see. Our goal, God’s desire in putting this on the eight authors who will share the journey is that we all find a closer relationship with Him.

God Bless and Enjoy.

I’ll see you next week and may your Lenten journey be one filled with love and forgiveness from God.

Christina Weigand

 

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:6-8

1996.  I was married with two toddlers and had left the Air Force. We’d moved to Wyoming, where I had no job and one friend.  I tried the supermom thing, cleaning house to within an inch of its life.  It didn’t much help.  Despite being an introvert, I was getting cabin fever—and it wasn’t the house.  It was my life.

It came to a head when I was reading a novel by Harry Turtledove—not one of his better ones, and I actually yelled at the book and at him.  “I could have written this!” I snarled.  Then the thought hit me:  Maybe, but I hadn’t.  And I hadn’t really tried to write in years.

I’d always wanted to be a writer and had even written a novel in college.  The stress of the Air Force had made me forget my dream, but when I left, I didn’t do more than give it a nod with one short story.  So what right did I have yelling at a multi-published author who was also a college professor?

Lent was coming up, so I put down the book, apologized and prayed.  Lord, you know the dreams in my heart.  You know I love to write.  This Lent, I want to give that to You.  I will stop reading and start writing.  Please lead me in what to write.

By Easter, I was writing for the Wyoming diocese paper, plus several other smaller local magazines.  I expanded to national magazines, mostly parenting articles.  Rob and I developed a near-future universe where the solar system was colonized and a religious order did space search and rescue.  I had asked and God granted.

I’ve done a lot of different writing since then, from silly fantasies and science fiction to devotionals.  Sometimes, I get a wonderful surprise, like when I got to write Why God Matters with my father.  When I start to feel off track, or stuck in a situation, I will stop and knock, trusting God to open the door to lead me on.

Sometimes, the door He opens leads my back to myself.

—–

Have you ever had a case of lifestyle “cabin fever,” where you felt stuck in a situation that maybe was pleasant, but not fulfilling?  Are you experiencing one this year?  This year, give that to God, but offer him a “trade”: give up something but also take up something that might move you forward in your life.  Dedicate that to him and ask him to guide the use of that talent or activity.

Dear Father in Heaven, you promised that if we asked we would be given, and if we knock, the door will be opened.  Here I am, knocking.  I give you the dream of my heart; take it to unlock the door that guides me to following Your desires for me in my life.  In Your most holy name, Amen.

Karina Fabian is an author, wife, and mother of four currently living in Utah.  In 2010, she and her father wrote a short devotional, Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life.  This year, they invite people to share their Lent stories at http://whygodmatters.com

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Heroes, Part II- You Oughta Be Committed!

Posted on February 25, 2012 by avatar

James was a classmate of my oldest son. A wiry, expressive young man, he had no difficulty letting those around him know his thoughts and dreams. And near the end of the Seventh grade field day, James showed the kind of stuff he was made of.

When James’ team looked like they were going to lose the Tug-of-War game, they all let go of the rope at once. Seeing defeat was inveitable, they sacrificed any chance at victory in the hope of at least embarrassing the other group by making them fall.

But not James.

James wrapped himself around the rope and wouldn’t let go. As the other team dragged him far across the boundary line, James still wouldn’t let go. “I’m never gonna quit!” he shouted in a voice that made those around him chuckle in surprised wonder. Why keep trying, when all was lost?

Later, on reflection, I realized something.

James’ commitment to winning, or at least losing with honor, was a heroic thing.

I still remember this event years later. But do you think I remember anyone on his team who quit?

Do you think I remember anyone on the other team that won, for that matter?

Nope.

History is littered with people we’ll never hear about that they gave up when it made perfect sense to do so.

The real heroes of human history did with their faith and causes what James did with the rope that day.

They had commitment.

We remember Leonidas for taking 300 Spartans against a million men, but none of his generals who stayed home.

We remember the 12 year old, unarmored David for taking on the seasoned warrior Goliath with sticks and rocks, but not any of David’s brothers who advised him against the action.

We remember the amateur shipbuilder Noah, who made an enormous vessel in a desert because God told him to, but not anyone who mocked him during the 120 years he built it.

For our heroes to be, well, heroic, they really can’t be ‘reasonable.’

Giving in to Xerxes and making Sparta a province of Persia would have been pretty darn reasonable, wouldn’t it?

Letting professional soldiers take on a professional fighter would have seems pretty reasonable, doesn’t it?

Deciding that God telling you to spend over a century building a giant boat miles away from any body of water was actually a bad dream or a hallucination would be pretty reasonable, wouldn’t it?

Saying three little words like “Caesar is Lord” seems pretty reasonable, especially if it stops you from being tortured or fed to the lions, doesn’t it?

Anyone can be reasonable. For our heroes to be heroes, they have to keep fighting on and moving forward, even when it’s utterly unreasonable to do so.

And, for them to be Catholic heroes, they need to do with their faith what Catholic martyrs did with the truth, what Leonidas did with the Persians, what David did with Goliath, what Noah did with the ark, and what James did with the rope.

——————————————-

John McNichol writes from Vancouver, WA, where he lives with his lovely wife, seven splendid, troublemaking children, and The Dumbest Dog In The State of Washington. He has published two novels: The Tripods Attack! and The Emperor of North America, the first and second novels in the Young Chesterton Chronicles, a Catholic-themed adventure series aimed at young men.

He still hates broccoli.

Posted in Catholic Writing and Publishing | 1 Comment

About the Online Catholic Writers Conference

Posted on February 23, 2012 by avatar

Attending the Catholic Writers’ Conference changed my life.

In 2008 I was an anonymous mom-blogger, writing for the fun of it.  A friend pointed me to the CWCO, and I registered mostly because it was free, so what harm?

I was floored by how much excellent, one-on-one teaching was offered — and by how much I still had to learn about the writing world.   Attending the conference every year, and later joining the CWG,  has helped me build the skills, friendships, and confidence I needed to make the switch from writing as a vacation to writing as a vocation.  And I’ve been able to do it from home, on my schedule, in a time of life when taking weekends off to travel is not a realistic option.

What can you expect if you attend the conference this year?

Classes and workshops for all experience levels.  Don’t be intimidated if you are a brand new, still-pretty-lousy writer.  Many events are either designed for beginners, or the instructor can get you started no matter how much basic help you need.

Do note that each instructor has a unique personality, and some will really put you through the paces.  If you need gentle, just say so.  The instructor can tell you if the course is going to be boot-camp style.  There’s a time in your writing life for tender encouragement, and there’s a time for brutal honesty; the conference offers both.

Two Types of Courses: Forums and Chats.

Forums: The first week of the conference will be forum-based workshops.  The instructor will offer a series of tutorials, then assign homework and/or take questions. This is your chance for one-on-one assistance with your writing!  Plan to arrive early, and work through the week on the classes that are most important to you this year.  You can read along at all the workshops, but pick one or two to participate in actively.  You can do your homework any time of day or night, so these classes offer both the most flexibility and the most personal attention.

We use the same type of forum software as at the Catholic Writers Guild Forums, and as are found at many other discussion forums around the internet. If you’ve never used discussion forum software, allow a little time at the very beginning of the conference to familiarize yourself with how it all works.

Chats:  The second week of the conference will be all “chat” sessions.  If you have ever attended the CWG’s Sunday Night Chat, or used the chat feature on another internet service, you have an idea of how a live chat works.  We will have practice time with our new software so that you can get used to its features before the classes begin.

Each course lasts about one hour.  Plan to login a few minutes ahead of time so you can say hello.  If you come late, don’t interrupt!  Once the course begins, the instructor will open with some comments or a brief lesson.  The remainder of the class is Q&A.  You will be told how to “raise your hand” [In the past: by typing "?"]; the moderator will call on you in turn.  When it’s your turn, you ask your question.  The instructor answers, and then the moderator calls on the next person.

The way to get the most benefit out of a chat session is to plan ahead!  Make a list of the questions you want to ask.  Then watch, and ask the ones that aren’t answered by the instructor in the opening comments, or that aren’t asked by someone else. Do stay on topic.  If there is extra time at the end of the session, the presenter may take off-topic questions, but usually the course time needs to be devoted to the subject of the lesson.

Click here to see the still-growing list of classes we’ll be offering.  Registration for both participants and presenters ends February 29th, so register now.

Next week we’ll discuss pitch sessions — what they are, how to decide whether to sign up, and what you should do to prepare.  In the meantime, what questions do you have?

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Unless a Grain of Wheat by Christina Weigand

Posted on February 23, 2012 by avatar

Editor’s Note: This Lent, Christina Weigand at Palace of Twelve Pillars is leading a series of Lenten Devotionals; we are pleased to be one of the sites that will be sharing these with you.

Amen, amen I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat: but if it dies, It produces much fruit. (John 12:24, NAB)

Every year I buy seed packets. Some I manage to get planted. Others remain in the drawer or cabinet. Funny thing about those seeds, even though I have the best of intentions, those seeds in the deep dark recesses of the drawer, never grow, never bear fruit. Those pretty flowers and yummy vegetables shown on the front of the package never see reality or achieve their full potential.

As I sat in Ash Wednesday service, we sang the hymn Unless a Grain of Wheat by Bernadette Farrell. The opening line is similar to this verse spoken by Jesus and recorded by John. It struck me that we followers of God are like the grain of wheat, like the seeds in the drawer. If we don’t fall to the ground and tie to ourselves we can never be what God wants us to be, plans for us to be.

I remember taking a trip to Yellowstone Park several years ago. It wasn’t long after the devastating forest fires swept through destroying much of the forest.

Recently I took a trip to Mt. St. Helens and saw the destruction caused by the erupting volcano.

Two points have stuck with me from those visits. First, in spite of the death and destruction there was new life, rebirth. A new beauty that would not have been revealed if not for those incidents.

Second, buried beneath the original beauty were seeds that if not for the fire or volcano would have never grown. The fire and volcano served as the catalyst necessary to bring these seeds new life.

The season of Lent provides us with the opportunity to prepare ourselves, to be that seed that falls to the ground, that is buried deep in our hearts waiting for the catalyst. Sacrifice, prayer, contemplation of God and His Word provide our catalyst. Then on Easter Sunday we can bear the fruit of the Resurrection of Jesus and a new us is revealed.

 

Questions to ponder:

This Lent what seeds can I take from the drawer and what catalyst can I use to join Jesus at the empty tomb?

Can I use this catalyst to help someone else on their journey with Christ?

 

During this season of Lent I hope to travel this journey with you, to be the catalyst that brings you and me out of the drawer and into God’s glorious light. Seven talented writers through the grace of God have agreed to share this journey with us. Each week one of us will post their Lenten story on this blog along with their own. CatholicMom.com, TributeBooks.com and the Catholic Writers Guild will also share the journey. We all hope and pray that you will share your own stories with us and be part of this great adventure.

Please join Sarah  Reinhard, Elizabeth Weidner, Joe Wetterling, Margaret Realy, Jennifer Fitz, Karina Fabian, Steven Lumbert and myself as we make this Lenten journey to Golgotha and beyond.

If we have died with him we shall also live with him (2 Timothy 2:11, NAB)

 

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Lent and Blogging

Posted on February 22, 2012 by avatar

Over the years, my approach to blogging at Lent has remained pretty consistent: I keep doing it.

I have observed many others who either lighten their blogging load or give it up altogether. Some folks restrain themselves from their stats or turn off comments.

I’ve always just sort of kept going with it.

It’s worth exploring, especially in this space, how our writing endeavors (and thus our blogging endeavors) are affected by this important liturgical season.

Do you stop your blogging or lighten it up or something else? What’s the right answer?

That’s for you to decide.

As with so many other things, penance and our approach to Lent is highly personal. Some of us share it publicly, as a way of keeping ourselves accountable. I find that I’m helped, so often, by catching glimpses of what helps others in their spiritual walks.

Other people prefer to keep quiet and private about their Lenten approach. I have been doing that lately, in part because I have plenty of other things to write about and in part because I’ve discerned that, right now, that’s what’s right for me.

Some years, I’ll kick off a special series during Lent. This year, I’m starting a series of posts considering the Hail Mary word by word. The series will extend well beyond Lent, into the dog days of summer, but I’m looking forward to how it will surely help me during my Lent–and beyond–this year.

How about you? What are your blogging plans this year for Lent? If you care to share, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

image credit: Marc Cardonella

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