The Catholic Writers Guild

At the 2013 Catholic Writers Guild Live Conference,  author, radio and television host, and CWG supporter Teresa Tomeo gave an interview that’s a 101 for Catholic Writers.  Here’s a round-up of her thoughts on the place of the Catholic writer in secular and Christian media today.

On Being a Faithful Catholic in the Secular Media

You were in secular media for a long time, then re-awakened in your faith, and realized you couldn’t keep going in that.  And now you are full-time in Catholic Media.  In your opinion, Is it possible for a faithful Catholic to have a career in the secular media?

I think so.  I struggled with leaving, actually . . . as I say in my new book, God’s Bucket List . . . I really felt that the more of us that are in the secular media, the more light we can shed.   And we can be a witness – I’m not even just talking about the importance of, God willing, being able to evangelize in the newsroom.

But I’m talking about having the presence of someone who knows their faith, and who can explain it when all these issues come up.  And so I struggled with leaving.  Because I thought, “That’s one less Catholic.” . . .  Not that I was anything great.  But that would be one less Catholic who wouldn’t be there at an editorial meeting.

What happens so often [in the newsroom] is they think they know Church teaching, but they don’t know half of it.  They really don’t understand the Church.

On Surviving in the Secular Media

What kinds of pressure do Catholics face?

It’s really important for Catholics to be in the media . . . but it’s very very hard. .  .   Most newsrooms are extremely secular.  They really believe — not that they’re bad people —  that their ideology is what’s right for the world.  It’s a constant struggle.  I really admire people who stay in it and try to be a light.

Is there a lot of pressure to compromise your faith?

Yes, in terms of ethics in journalism.  Where they try to force you to concentrate on “if it bleeds it leads.”  Or in focusing on only one side of the issue, especially on the abortion issue.

For me, I felt like my craft wasn’t being used to its full potential.  . . . I was just covering another car crash?  With no investigative technique . . . I felt like I wasn’t doing quality reporting anymore.

On Starting a Career in the Media

What would be your advice for making a strong foundation before starting a career in the secular media?

If you want to go into the secular media, you have to have a very strong faith.  You have to be a very strong person, you can’t be thin-skinned.  It’s a really tough business.  Have you ever seen the film Network News?  Get that film and multiply it by 20.

In addition to going to journalism school, what kind of professional training do you recommend?

Work on the newspaper, work on the TV station, radio . . . because there is so much crossover, you have to be a mini-expert in everything.

You have to have experience dealing with deadlines.  So many young people just go in and take classes.

Are there Catholic Colleges that can provide the needed formation both spiritually and professionally?

It’s a real catch-22.  It wouldn’t be bad to go to a Catholic college if they have a journalism program, but add onto that with an internship.  Right way, start working on the paper.   Immediately try to get involved with something.

You have to make sure the program is offering good writing skills.  Take good speech-communication classes, so you know how to articulate your message if you want to be on camera, on television.

Opportunities in Catholic Media

Give us a picture of the what’s going on in Catholic Media today.

I think the opportunities are endless.  It’s so refreshing to have this alternative out there.  And that can compete.  There are lots of folks out there who have a background in big-time radio, cable television . . .  It’s huge.  EWTN has 238 affiliates now.  Catholic TV out of Boston.  Relevant Radio. . .  the opportunities are endless.  And it’s growing.

Radio 101 for Writers

How do you get an appointment to get on the radio?

Email me through TeresaTomeo.com.  Give me an idea.  What’s your passion?  There’s  a process.  . . . We vet all our guests to make sure they are in line with the Magisterium.  Then it’s just a matter of time for scheduling . . . and if the idea is good.  Personal contact is always best.  . . . Contact the individual host, then follow-up with an e-mail.

Advice for presenting yourself well to the host?

I don’t hear enough passion from the writers I interview. And that really bothers me.   I think it’s just a matter of not being familiar with the medium itself, and what translates. . . . Radio is the most personal medium. You are talking one on one.  You have to jump out through the airwaves.

You have to make the reader feel they have to have your book.   What is your passion?  When someone is done reading your book, what do you want them to say?  What makes you tick?

Any advice for shy writers?  Little things you can do that communicate well?

Practice practice practice. I know there are a lot of people who are shy, but if they want to sell a book, they’ve got to get over it.  It’s great to write a book, but if you don’t get it out there, what difference does it make?

What’s really moving is a personal story.  What was it that about this book? . . . Something personal. Share something that other people can relate to.  Share your struggles.  One of the biggest comments I get, that I feel like is the best compliment I can get, is, “I feel like I know you.”  . . .  That’s what we want.

You have to be able to put yourself out there.  Be able to expose yourself.  Do it for the Lord.