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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 06:00 am |
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Okay, just a thought...
Ya'll remember how I was kind of looking for somesort of project or something to do this summer? Well, I still am, in a sense. But I think I've found a direction I'd like to go in...
I'd like to see if I could write an article/essay or something for a Catholic magazine of sorts. I really enjoy writing and think this would be a good, structured task for me. ((I also have in a plot in line for a short story, thanks to inspiration of Flannery O'Conner, but I've never been the best at fiction))). But I really enjoy writing essays and articles and what have you. And if I could find a topic to write on, I'd love to submit to a magazine or something. Try to get published.
Any thoughts? I don't know even the first step for doing this... I don't know of any Catholic magazines or newspapers, so that's the first stumbling block. Or how to go about submitting anything.
Dave Armstrong-- you're published, do you have any suggestions?
Think this might be too big of a feat for me?
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 06:07 am |
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And just to note:
I'm not thinking anything huge. Not like the Catholic equivalent to Time or anything like that. Something small. I don't know.
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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Therese Z
Member
| Joined: | Sat Mar 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Chicagoland, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 59 |
| First Name: | Therese Z | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle, Cultural, Lapsed, Passionately Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 01:00 pm |
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| How about "http://www.dappledthings.org/, who bills themselves as "a literary magazine for young Catholics?"
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1197 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 04:03 pm |
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 Kayla, Great to hear from you! I sent you a longer primer on how to "break into Cathlic writing circles" in a private msg. But I figured you could also use some "public" cheering-on as well.
You've got the right approach at the start. Not that you need to start out with "St. Oblivion's Opinions on Onionskin" but if you troll the Catholic literary and even diocesan websites, and keep digging, you'll find more places to send your stories than you can possibly imagine.
Happy Huntin and remember, one of the greatest things I learned about being a writer, esp. a reporter/columnist:
"It sure beats working!" 
StevenLast edited on Thu May 22nd, 2008 04:04 pm by Steven Barrett
____________________
"This Old House's" motto is "Measure twice, cut once." My new motto is THINK at least twice or thrice, then you only have to write once, and maybe apologize nonce.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5458 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 05:15 pm |
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You could always start by submitting your conversion story to the CHNI monthly newsletter, and writing an article for your local Catholic newspaper on life at a Catholic university.
You might even stimulate some kids in your home town area to consider a Catholic education!
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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LauraN.
Moderator
| Joined: | Tue Oct 10th, 2006 |
| Location: | Zanesville, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 135 |
| First Name: | Laura | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 07:51 pm |
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| Mary Clare works with the Quo Vadis part of the CHNI apostolate. I'm sure she would appreciate any articles you would like to submit.
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Laura Corrigan, Resource Specialist
The Coming Home Network, International
PO Box 8290
Zanesville, OH 43821
740-450-1175 ext 102
laura@chnetwork.org
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1882 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 09:21 pm |
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Hi Kayla,
I don't know of any Catholic magazines or newspapers, so that's the first stumbling block. Or how to go about submitting anything.
Dave Armstrong-- you're published, do you have any suggestions?
The main one is (like "work" matters in general) to take stock of whatever personal connections you have at this point, to folks who are involved in some publication or who know someone who is.
My big "break" came in meeating Fr. Peter Stravinskas in Steubenville at the Defending the Faith conference in 1992. I was "forward" enough (quite a bit for me!) to give him copies of some of my writings on Martin Luther. He took a liking to them, and my first article was published in his magazine, The Catholic Answer, in January the next year. That came about (far as I know) simply because he read my stuff and liked it.
After that I just kept plugging away. My conversion was published in This Rock (absurdly over-edited in almost every line, though, I thought), and through that and some more personal connections between my friend Al Kresta and Pat Madrid, I was blessed to get my story into Surprised by Truth in 1994. That led to further name recognition, and I've kept writing ever since; starting a website in 1997 and my current blog in 2004. Constant writing . . .
Of course, you have not said you want to write for a living, and yours probably won't be apologetics like my stuff, but I'm just giving an idea of how these things can come about, by illustration from my own experience.
If you feel that you know no one who is in a position that might give you a shot at being published somewhere, then just look around at the sort of publications you think would be suitable for what you have in mind and inquire as to the procedures for submitting writing. You can send something in; you'd have nothing to lose. If it helps at all, feel free to cite my opinion: I think you're a great and wonderfully edifying writer.
If that doesn't work out you can always start up your own blog (Blogspot is free). That's still "published writing", and will get you out onto the Internet and into the search engines. If you have any friends who have thriving blogs already, you could ask if they would publish your article(s). I'd be happy to do so on my blog (I get about 920 hits a day average).
If you want to eventually publish a book, you can go with Lulu.com, as I have for 12 of my books. You do everything, it's as fast of a process as you want to make it, and the copyright is your own. In one night you can have your own web page with your book, and an easy, convenient way for people to purchase.
If you spend $99, you can get onto amazon and the standard distribution channels. Advertising is everything, though: my Lulu books sell very few. Sales for my Sophia books come from being in many catalogues, I think (sort of free advertising).
Think this might be too big of a feat for me?
No, not at all. It's not too big for anyone who is a good writer and has some thoughts to offer, and enough motivation to persevere until some success has been achieved. The task (as always) is to get published. It took me seven years to become published by an actual, reputable Catholic publisher. My book A Biblical Defense of Catholicism was finished in May 1996. It was published in 2003 by Sophia Institute Press. Very typical author story there . . . most times I wasn't even told why my manuscript was rejected, and in one instance, my entire paper manuscript was lost (!). Usually now, you can send anything via e-mail and e-files.
So you have to divide the question into two parts: are you good enough to have an article published? Yes, absolutely! Will you be able to or is it easy? Maybe, and No! But if you keep trying something will happen in the long run; especially by networking. I can't say how long it might be.
CHNI publishes books itself. With a good word from many people here, and a look at and approval of your writing from Marcus Grodi and/or Jim Anderson, who knows? Like I said, you have nothing to lose in submitting your work. If someone likes it, then you could have an ongoing opportunity, as happened with myself and The Catholic Answer (and also the Coming Home Journal for a stretch some years ago, when it published several of my articles).
Best wishes in your writing endeavors!
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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TotusTuus
Member
| Joined: | Tue Oct 31st, 2006 |
| Location: | Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 126 |
| First Name: | Mark | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic (thanks Mom and Dad!) |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 10:37 pm |
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Hi Kayla,
I agree that you are a very gifted and thoughtful writer. As a college student, you are in a unique position to articulate a Catholic worldview from a young person's perspective.
You might consider investing time and energy into your own blog spot. First, familiarize yourself with some well-known Catholic blogs such as Amy Welborn's Charlotte Was Both (http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/) or Whispers in the Loggia (http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/) or Jimmy Akin (http://www.jimmyakin.org/).
Next, decide on what your unique perspective is and how to best present it. For example, do you wish to speak to converts or College students or softball enthusiasts? Or all three groups!
This way, when you do manage to get published, you can refer your readers to your blog for more of what they want to read!
Good luck!
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TTM!
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Kayla
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 11:19 pm |
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Wow, I want to first thank everyone for the encouraging and helpful responses. This was really just an idea I was toying with last night (ideas coming late at night-- that MUST be a sign that I should be writing! j/k), but now I think that it something I want to definitely consider.
I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to go after the "big stuff", especially as a type of career or job or anything to that sort. Although, I have to admit, it's certainly a prospect for the future. I mean, if I'm going into the fields of Philosophy and Theology, I'll no doubt be doing writing of somesort.
I like the idea of starting a blog. I have a personal one, but I think having a 'professional' one for articles and stuff would be a good idea. I would be able to supplement that with submitting articles for various magazines/newspapers and go from there.
I suppose the most difficult aspect of all of this is trying to think of good topics to write on. I've been doing some brain-storming. What do you guys think of the following?
Catholic Identity for a Catholic University: What does it mean?
The Role of Athletics at Catholic University
Glorifying God in Athletics
Simple Ways of Bringing Mary into your Home and Why it’s Okay to do so
A Convert’s Perspective On:
The Small “t”raditions
Owning Your Faith
‘Saying’ Your Prayers
Family Life
Being Over-Zealous or ‘More Catholic than the Cradle Catholic’
The Role of Tradition
This last one, "A Convert's Perspective On...", I think might be a good idea for a blog. I don't know. Just ideas.
____________________
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5458 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 11:28 pm |
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Kayla wrote: Catholic Identity for a Catholic University: What does it mean?
The Role of Athletics at Catholic University
Glorifying God in Athletics
Simple Ways of Bringing Mary into your Home and Why it’s Okay to do so
A Convert’s Perspective On:
The Small “t”raditions
Owning Your Faith
‘Saying’ Your Prayers
Family Life
Being Over-Zealous or ‘More Catholic than the Cradle Catholic’
The Role of Tradition
This last one, "A Convert's Perspective On...", I think might be a good idea for a blog. I don't know. Just ideas.
I think they're all great ideas. One I've thought of before that you might well be a good one to write is based on the concept of Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, although frankly what I have in mind is more the title than the plot.
Many of those who have converted have talked about the difficulties involved in their journey into "Catholicland", from the unfamiliar jargon to the "strange" practices. I think an articulate presentation on just what that journey feels like for a person in her late teens might be a real boon to those who are considering the same journey. It could help the "cradle Catholics" among us better understand the hurdles that those considering a swim of the Tiber have to face as well.
If such a resource exists, I'm not aware of it. I'm not talking about a personal conversion story (there are plenty of those on the CHNI web site) but more of a primer of what to expect and how to cope for those considering the journey. I'm sure many of our forum members would be happy to contribute their own experiences, too.
Just a thought...
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1481 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri May 23rd, 2008 01:33 am |
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Kayla wrote: I suppose the most difficult aspect of all of this is trying to think of good topics to write on. I've been doing some brain-storming. What do you guys think of the following?
Catholic Identity for a Catholic University: What does it mean?
The Role of Athletics at Catholic University
Glorifying God in Athletics
Simple Ways of Bringing Mary into your Home and Why it’s Okay to do so
A Convert’s Perspective On:
The Small “t”raditions
Owning Your Faith
‘Saying’ Your Prayers
Family Life
Being Over-Zealous or ‘More Catholic than the Cradle Catholic’
The Role of Tradition
This last one, "A Convert's Perspective On...", I think might be a good idea for a blog. I don't know. Just ideas.
"Glorifying God in Athletics" would be a timely article with the Olympics coming up, and there are bound to be lots of discussions about the Chinese restrictions on religion. It may be a little late to get published by then, unless it's a weekly publication.
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1197 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat May 24th, 2008 05:47 pm |
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Gee, it's nice to know the written word still packs enough power to elicit this kind of response on Kayla's behalf.
And to think some 24 years ago when I started writing for my diocesan biweekly I'd be experiencing so many enjoyable and exciting years of writing afterwards. "Churchy stuff?" Sorta like ol' Forrest Gump saying about his momma talking about a box of chocolates, you might not always know what you're getting when you open a box.
What's that flavor associated with the Franciscans? 
____________________
"This Old House's" motto is "Measure twice, cut once." My new motto is THINK at least twice or thrice, then you only have to write once, and maybe apologize nonce.
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