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Shipwrights, joiners, rope-makers, sail-makers, coppersmiths, coopers and other craftsmen, including a member of the blacksmiths’ guild, have revived the 173 year old whaling ship Charles W. Morgan. The blacksmith described his guild as a society that preserves for posterity the secrets of the forge and anvil developed over the centuries. To this end, he has worked tirelessly for more than 30 years for the love of the trade. He has trained young apprentices to absorb the knowledge, the feel and his love of the craft. He impressed me not only with his skills, but his genuine passion for his craft and his zeal to share and preserve this aspect of our culture, history, and tradition. He serves as a model for the Catholic Writers Guild which has set its heart on another revival: the Catholic Literary Revival.

By definition, guilds live, grow, and reproduce. To promote life and progress toward the Catholic Literary Revival, The Catholic Writers Guild invites participation.

1)     The Catholic Writers Conference lives in Chicagoland from July 29th – August 1st, 2014.  Meet other members, develop your skills and connections with publishers. To register, visit CatholicWritersConference.com.

2)      The CWG Blog is open to participation by all members, thanks to the Blog Team and Blog Coordinator, Jen Fitz. Look at the Guidelines as you prepare to let the rest of the Guild see your work. Poets, illustrators, fiction writers and non-fiction authors, let’s see what you can do. When ready, forward your piece to submissions@catholicwritersguild.com. The collector of submissions will in turn pass your work to an editor who will assist you to post on the Guild Blog.

3)      Facebook provides a dynamic opportunity to converse with other members. If you are not already a “Friend” contact Karina Fabian.

4)      The revised and updated Guild Web Site will offer new dimensions in communication and participation, especially the forums. Look for it soon.

5)      Critique groups? Do you belong? Let’s start something new, right now!  Which group could the Guild build for you now? Of course, you will be the organizer. I’ve been looking for a fiction critique group where someone will look at chapters from my fiction, offer suggestions, and in turn I will look at their chapters and offer suggestions. I’m mainly interested young-adult fiction, but I’m open to any kind of fiction: humor, adventure, romance, suspense, you name it. Interested? Use the comment section below.

6)      Hey, why did you join the Catholic Writers Guild? Is there something you have yet to find in your travels toward the Catholic Literary Revival? I’d like to know. Let’s do something about it! Make comments. We are a Guild. That means we help each other.

A retired biologist with current interests in vegetable gardening, volunteering at a local nursing home, reading, and writing. Other activities include the study of the practical aspects of applied Gerontology, splitting logs, digging for quahogs and writing blogs. https://dmulcare.wordpress.com/

18 Replies to “Why did you join the Catholic Writers Guild?”

  1. Wow! The Chicago Public Library has my book? I’m impressed. My home town (Evanston, really, though my wife and I lived in Rogers Park). This means you’ll be at CWG in Schaumburg, correct?
    I don’t think one should confuse Henry VIII with the Reformation. Henry was just a Catholic who didn’t want to follow the rules (very modern!) – and who also realized a lot of property could be seized. The Reformers, whatever their other shortcomings (lack of humor, rigidity), were (with the possible exception of Luther) pretty moral guys. Certainly the churches they started had a quality of righteousness – my own Pilgrim ancestors among them. So I don’t see the tie to the sexual revolution, except in the very general sense that one can see the Reformation as a step in the break up of organizes society. But that break up is also happening in Catholic countries. Let’s discuss this in Schaumburg. Blessings!

  2. However, while I recognize the close tie between Protestantism and capitalism, I’m not quite sure that it’s fair to blame Protestantism for the sexual revolution.

    On the former, even though you’re already convinced, let me mention Fanfani’s Catholicism, Protestantism, and Capitalism. It’s so good!

    On the latter, the structure of rebellion was cast in Henry’s divorce. But if you check out Bossy and others on the wonderful English martyrs, you will find cited by the ‘new religion’ all the same tired old feminist crap we hear still today. How women must enter the work force, not be tied down by inconvenient husbands and children, embrace divorce, etc. etc. Yeah always very helpful for profits! Bossy in particular has a section explaining why the Catholic women martyrs and others simply would not go for it, he denotes all the ways Catholicism is better for women than the subsequent rebellion. I forget the name of the book for a minute, but I have a post on it on my blog, ‘Still a Little Whiggy’ (I criticize Bossy for some other things).

    Hey, I ordered your Brazil book from Chicago Public Library. Can’t wait.

  3. I was distracted from this conversation not only by dinner but by a family member’s phone report on her complete failure to locate a Catholic psychologist who follows the Church’s teachings regarding chastity. I will spare you the details.

    Yet it relates. Our culture’s firm belief that human beings are unable to resist sexual temptation and must therefore be given certain options for– relief– has been largely carried to us by fiction. A barrage of it, since the protestant rebellion. Our daughters are paying the price. They can no longer attend college or even walk our streets freely without risking — well, you see the news, the epidemic.

    Arthur, I applaud your efforts. I wonder if you have read Belloc’s The Servile State? Perhaps it is time for us to begin to build a third party which offers distributism as a goal toward which we strive. Otherwise, all our work to alleviate the anguish through various reforms will channel toward socialism, which is only a slightly more benign form of slavery than the other ‘free market’ version. I will bring my copy to the conference and look for you!

    To go against the current is hard paddling. And dinner was meh too!

    1. Janet – I haven’t read the Servile State – I’ll get a copy of it. I certainly think a third party makes sense – neither of the parties represents orthodox Catholics and others who believe in the importance of community and a human scale economic system, and the two-party system tends to create an either/or approach that is not healthy – where there are multiple parties, there is more tendency to recognize the multifaceted nature of publc policy.
      I also agree that fiction (in the broadest sense – including such “science” as the Kinsey Report) has created a myth of human sexuality which is very much like the dominant myth of modern economics: everything objectified, everyone for him/herself, greedily grabbing (sometimes literally!) what s/he wants. It is amazing how these myth structures become so controlling that people forget that, within living memory (if you’re as old as I am), very different assumptions about human sexuality were very alive and viable.
      However, while I recognize the close tie between Protestantism and capitalism, I’m not quite sure that it’s fair to blame Protestantism for the sexual revolution. Certainly my Protestant ancestors had strong sexual mores, as do Evangelicals today – they indeed seem better prepared than Catholics to resist the dominant secular model. Can you explain the connection as you see it?

  4. This is a wonderful conversation! I totally agree with Janet that Christ is unique, radical, and brings the only hope/solution. I also believe that we need to refocus our economic vision away from the current dominant model, in which economic forces distort our humanity, toward a distributionist model. A large portion of my wife’s and my work has been devoted to organizing subsistence farm groups, cooperatives, small craft guilds.
    As a convert to Catholicism (from agnosticism), however, I also realize that there is a place for art and literature which may be Christian but not explicitly so. People who do not yet accept or understand Christ may find him. I had no idea that T.S. Elliot, for instance, was a Christian when I first read him – I learned to love his poetry first, then was struck by the fact that he was Christian. Tolkein never mentions Christ in his books, yet he has brought many to Christianity.
    Furthermore, writing is a craft like many others. The craftperson’s faith is part of who s/he is, and is conveyed through the craft. Just as there is a place for Church architecture and a place for secular architecture, so there is for writing. It is important to have Churches, but we also need homes, offices, factories. It is important to have explicitly Catholic apologetics and fiction, but there is also a legitimate place for more secular fiction.
    But it is vital to have this discussion – to call one another to accountability. Thank you!

  5. Francis of Assisi preached in many ways, including the way he and his Brothers walked down the road.

    Arthur’s “A Hero for the People,” presents Christian parables, including the story of a retired Brother, a librarian, who waits for a hero, a “Zorro” on horseback, to come to save the people of his village from the land grabbers. Like Francis of Assisi, Brother Michel preached by his participation in the lives and struggles of the poor. Through Brother Michel, Arthur delivered encouragement to us to follow this example.

    1. Francis’ witness was totally inside the Church, totally inside a Catholic culture, and when he did ‘preach in words,’ he preached Christ. He read Christ’s gospel, no one else’s. No one mistook his example as promoting buddhism or simple good will toward all. As to Arthur’s work, I can’t comment, but will certainly look for it. It is a balance we seek–but we need to err on the explicit side for a change, right? There is no actual ‘solution’ to landgrabbing anyway (right now!) outside a return to a distributist Catholic economy destroyed by the protestant rebellion. Calls to ‘fairness’ simply will not work in our competitive economy, as often as Pope Francis makes them. He attacks capitalism, but leaves the solution up for grabs, and the only alternative we are allowed to entertain is socialism.

  6. “If ever a value implant was needed, it is in Y-A/juvenile fiction.”

    With all due respect: yes, indeed. But not a generic ‘value.’ That doesn’t exist. Neither does ‘generosity’ or ‘honesty’ or any of the rest. This is our secular delusion, that the ‘values’ of Catholicism can be sneaked in, like cod liver oil in the cabbage. Only Christ, alone among all the rest, brought us that radical vision of chastity in marriage, of life-long marriage, of charity, of egalitarianism in virtue, not by class or race. Only Christ brings us Himself in the sacrament of the altar, necessary to virtue. Necessary! If that’s preaching, and if most will not accept it, then I personally would rather have fewer readers. We do need interesting, vivid, heroic, and human characters–living a Catholic life, not a ‘good life.’

    I’m in the middle of cooking Sunday supper and I know I haven’t put it right. But if we don’t preach Christ, even in our fiction, who will? When we say ‘value,’ and we must, we ought not to disassociate it from what we alone have to bring. It will feel like ‘preaching’ and maybe it makes our skin crawl, it’s so uncool, but that’s because we’ve been brutalized.

  7. Dear Janet, Arthur and Patty,

    Young adult fiction claims an enormous market share in the world of books. It also shapes the minds and values of the young. For example, The Hunger Games trilogy sold countless copies and has expanded into a four part movie series. Aside from the core story of the brutal oppression by the Capitol, and the self-sacrificing virtues of the rebellion we see in the sub-text repeated references to various forms of escape through alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide and euthanasia. You will never see these words: God, prayer or heaven.
    If ever a value implant was needed, it is in Y-A/juvenile fiction. Talking animals and magic are not essential to young adult or juvenile literature and certainly preaching is a non-starter. Loving, genuine characters can give hope to the young.

    Patty and I are interested in starting a critique group. We could accommodate diverse fiction genres until the group is large enough to split along genre lines. We all read widely, so for the time being this small subgroup within the Guild hopes to develop skills, stories and a support system. You are welcome to join if you can.

    God Bless,

    Don

  8. Hi, Don!

    I can say why I joined: to get some help self-publishing and promoting my sci fi novel. As a well-schooled child, I know I have to take my turn to help in exchange. And I will really try to do so–like the blog or addressing specific skill sets where I might have something useful to say.

    But other functions are tougher for several of the demographics I fall into, and I can’t see how I could help. I’m old enough, and I’ve been writing and publishing all my life. This means that I have acquired pronounced tastes and I don’t think that works well in most ‘critique’ situations. I know what I like and I’m trying to write it myself. For instance, I would find it hard to read, let alone wish to improve, a young adult work that relies heavily on talking animals and other superstitious elements, presented as Catholic,and maybe even worse, as interesting! And this purely aesthetic judgement relates philosophically to another of my demographics, the traditional Catholic. I just don’t think the definition of Catholic is as elastic as usually assumed. Works that take it for granted that the fight for the Catholic state and the Catholic economy is over and we lost give me chest pains. I’m just sayin’. I mean works like Shusaku Endo’s Silence, and Flannery O’Connor’s “Revelation.” If they had asked for my critique, I’d tell them, In the name of God, don’t write this. Not good for a working group!

    You live long enough, you develop, out of necessity, a tough set of rubrics. And arguably not always correct ones, but there it is. I swear I want to help, though, because everyone takes their own sweet time to learn, including myself, and I must find various ways to do so charitably with the love I really truly mean without compromising my principles.

    Like responding to this excellent post with its excellent question. : )

    1. Janet – Interesting thoughts. Not sure about the Catholic state, but I believe the struggle for a Catholic economy (i.e. a view of economics that is in accordance with Catholic teaching) is vitally important. We can no longer afford to live in a world where greed is idolized.

      My own experience in leading workshops and mentoring many young (and not so young) Catholic writers is that there are many ways in which orthodox Catholicism can be carried to an audience (“we are all things to all people”). Many of my students have a different aesthetic approach from mine, but I can help them grow the gift that God has uniquely given them, to reach people who might never read the stuff I write. Blessings. Arthur

  9. Good article. Sometimes I do wonder why I joined the Catholic Writers Guild. Maybe because I am such an off and on again writer.

    Perhaps if I could get more involved with the group – it would help. Watching on the shore doesn’t improve one’s swimming much.

    I would like to be a part of your Young Adult fiction group or maybe even younger – I guess my better choice would be middleschool fiction. I have written one book of fiction that was never published though I have self-published six non-fiction books but not the same thing at all!

    If I were to start or join a group for middle school fiction authors – what would be the first step?

    1. Hi Patty,

      Thank you. We could serve as the nucleus of a group of fiction writers and decide what to do about focus as the group expands. Our current interests are close. We just have to decide on how much work we are willing to share. Let’s talk via email. I see your address and will send you something today.

      God Bless,

      Don

      Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am.

  10. Arthur,

    Great hearing from you and thank you for the perspective on the Guild, its origins and vocation. Where would you suggest a struggling fiction beginner go for a critique group?

    Sorry about Brazil’s disappointing finish to the World Cup. Where did you stand in the battle of the Popes? Germany certainly controlled the ball.

    Thanks for your continued support of the Guild. Have fun in Chicago!

    God Bless,

    Don

    1. Don – Thanks for the note. I have been rooting for Brazil since 1970, so my heart is with them. The loss was painful indeed – but everything has its reason.

      You ask where a new Catholic writer can find a critique group. I run critique workshops twice a year – during the online and live CWG conferences. (I also mentor a number of writers on an ongoing basis.) CWG is setting up chapters in some areas – we may soon have enough Catholic writers in Raleigh to start one. Local groups generally are support groups – which some writers find very helpful – where you share and encourage one another. This is a bit different from a situation in which you are truly critiqued – which usually requires the presence of an experienced writer who has made all those mistakes a new writer is almost bound to make. Any fiction writer in CWG should feel free to contact me. Arthur

      1. Arthur,

        Thanks again!

        Unfortunately, I’m not able to enjoy your workshop at the CWCL this year. Several Guild members have helped my fiction, but I’d value a more regular exchange with other fiction writers. There are a few Guild Members within a couple of hours travel time, but we haven’t joined forces. I’ve though of forming a group in my parish. I’m reluctant to burden you, but would gladly send a a few pages or a chapter, depending you your time constraints.

        A support group that regularly comments and suggests may not be a critique group, but has the potential to evolve toward one.

        God Bless,

        Don

  11. Don – Thank you! Back in the 20th Century (wow – I never thought I’d say that!) it was a struggle being a Catholic poet & fiction writer. Most literary magazines expressly stated they didn’t want religious work, and most Catholic magazines didn’t want literary work. Critic, the wonderful Catholic literary magazine that had published Flannery O’Conner, printed my first published short story and then went out of business (I hope not as a direct result). The editors pointed me to St. Anthony Messenger, which still is one of the best venues for Catholic fiction – starting in 1995, St. A published four of my stories – but they only have one story per issue – 12 a year.

    In 2006 when I moved back to the U.S. from Brazil, I discovered Catholic Writers On-Line (I urge CWG members to participate in that Yahoo group). There I encountered other Catholic writers who felt the same frustration I did. About a dozen of us decided to form a guild to help bring about a rebirth in Catholic writing. Karina Fabian was our first president – and did a terrific job, Ann Lewis was vice president, Maria Riveira was secretary, and I acted as the first treasurer. I think we had about 20 members the first year.

    Of course, we weren’t the only ones working toward a renaissance in Catholic writing. Dappled Things was founded in 2006 – originally an on-line only publication. And others were thinking/dreaming along the same lines. But I think it is important to remember these histories – CWG brings so many resources to Catholic writers today that we never had before. We need to actively support the organization, help one another, and help Catholic arts & literature thrive.

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