Critique – a word that often scatters writers like a firecracker tossed into a flock of sparrows! But it doesn’t have to be that way. Since critique groups are forming in the Catholic Writers Guild forums, this is a good time to talk about critique, namely, how to be a […]
Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh, my! Tension, Conflict, and Suspense – Creating Compelling Stories
One of the most fundamental techniques of fiction writing is skillful creation of tension, sometimes referred to as conflict. Our favorite authors hook us on page one with a character so compelling that we read further to find out what happens. The character is engaging, with likeable traits that endear […]
Towards a Literature that is Catholic, with Barbara Nicolosi
Barbara Nicolosi of Act One has graciously invited us to share the transcript of her recent workshop at the 2012 Catholic Writers Conference Online, “Towards a Literature that is Catholic”. What is Catholic Literature? She writes: I want to say that I object to the basic notion of us writing […]
RAH-RAH ROOTING FACTORS! How to make your readers love your characters as much as you do.
What’s one of the biggest reasons you keep reading when you pick up a new book? Think about it for a moment. For me, it’s characters who are interesting, multi-dimensional, unpredictable…and likeable. Yet this is an element many of us struggle to achieve. One of the most common phrases in […]
What Calling for Catholic Writers?
Dorian Speed is discussing the goals and future of the Catholic Arts, spurred in part by a provocative article at OSV weekly. This speaks to the heart of our mission at The Catholic Writers Guild. I’d like to open the discussion here with a few comments of my own, and […]
Rejection: A thorn by any other name still stings…
Ouch. I don’t care who you are, rejection hurts. But as writers, we all experience it, so it behooves us to learn to deal with it. It’s tempting to pitch a fit, sulk, or even threaten to quit writing altogether. But when we take a look at these responses, it’s […]
Beginning Editing: Snip, Snip, Snip
Time for another round of beginning editing skills. Recall our basic premise: The first draft gets the story out of my head and onto paper. The revisions get my story off the paper and into the reader’s head. In previous columns we’ve explored ways to write clearly and accurately. Today, […]
Who is that, and what is she doing in my living room?
I was sick this weekend, but not that sick, which meant I was forced to lounge in the hammock and read books. (I know!) And there’s nothing like reading a book to make me stumble across editing complaints. –> Remember here, I am a fellow beginning writer. I’m not looking […]