Erin is a fantastic author of several Catholic fiction novels that have real depth, complex characters, and compelling plots. (Can you tell I'm a fan?) She's also the author of two blogs that I read regularly: Will Write For Tomato Pie, her blog about her novel Don't You Forget About Me, and Mrs. Mackerelsnapper, her cooking blog about Meatless Fridays NOT just during Lent. This lady is amazing. You should TOTALLY check out her work.
Without further ado...My Writing Process!
1) What am
I working on?
Let's see....sanity, ...humility,... Oh! You mean what writing am I working on! These days I'm working on getting back to my personal blog here at Green For God. But, I'm always working on my contributions for Catholic Mom and writing homilies and commentaries for Faith Catholic. I have a couple of projects that have been on hold for personal reasons (like life, children, health etc.). One is my book, Green For God, that I finished over a year ago and now decided it needs to be rewritten. (argh!) The other is a book form of one of my favorite and popular talks I give, Women of Wonder-What You're To-Do List Says About Your Spiritual Life. I have another idea for a blog and book but it's still too rough an idea to share.
2) How
does my work differ from others of its genre?
Well let's just say that my writing will never be confused with St. Thomas Aquinas'! Really, my goal when I write is to inform and inspire Catholics to get excited and passionate about their Faith. I think where my writing differs from the writing of some other Catholic non-fiction writers is in accessibility. I'm not trying to be the deepest, smartest, most thought-provoking mind-bending writer. Instead, I try to talk to everyday Catholics from the perspective of an everyday Catholic who loves her Faith, doesn't understand all of it, and struggles to live it each and every day.
3) Why do
I write what I do?
Because if I try and say everything that's on my mind to my husband and children, they might lock me out of the house! Writing is the safest way for me to get all the thoughts that are in my head out without annoying too many loved ones. :)
AND...
I want Catholics to get excited about their faith! It's too amazing not to share. I know not everyone is as enthusiastic as me but this is great stuff. Get excited!
I want Catholics to get excited about their faith! It's too amazing not to share. I know not everyone is as enthusiastic as me but this is great stuff. Get excited!
4) How
does your writing process work?
Poorly most of the time but when I do write it's mostly in stolen moments here and there. Luckily (or unluckily depending on your perspective), my kids are involved in things that require me to drive them places and then wait for them. So, while I wait, I write.
Usually my process involves getting an idea, typing it up before I forget it, and throwing something haphazard together before I edit it to death. I believe wholeheartedly in the phrase "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." In the past my tendency to be perfect has immobilized me. So, now I think "crappy first draft" when I start writing and "get it 80% done and move forward." Otherwise, I will never move on to the next thing. Once you give up on perfection, you become a lot more productive (& relaxed!)
So, that's enough about me. Now it's time to talk about some other amazing authors. Unfortunately, the authors I asked to participate are so good that they're too busy writing to write about their writing! So I'm going to give you some links to check out a couple of writers that I like (in addition to Erin, of course).
Paula Huston- author of Simplifying the Soul-Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit and a LOT of other books
Paula is an inspiration to me because she seeks simplicity in order to bring her closer to God. I seek simplicity too but she actually accomplishes it!
Jared Zimmerer- author of The Ten Commandments of Lifting Weights and Man Up!
I've recently become acquainted with Jared through our parish and some old Catholic school connections. He's a dynamic man who is alive in his faith. While his writing is intended mostly for a male audience, I think it's beneficial for anyone.
Hallie Lord- author of Style, Sex and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter
Hallie is to Catholic Women what Jared is to Catholic men: she is the epitome of a girly-girl with the faith of a ChurchFather. She seamlessly combines her feminity and her faith all the while keeping her sense of fun and playfulness. Reading her work keeps me on track in my faith and also keeps me from getting too serious. Love this lady!
Poorly most of the time but when I do write it's mostly in stolen moments here and there. Luckily (or unluckily depending on your perspective), my kids are involved in things that require me to drive them places and then wait for them. So, while I wait, I write.
Usually my process involves getting an idea, typing it up before I forget it, and throwing something haphazard together before I edit it to death. I believe wholeheartedly in the phrase "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." In the past my tendency to be perfect has immobilized me. So, now I think "crappy first draft" when I start writing and "get it 80% done and move forward." Otherwise, I will never move on to the next thing. Once you give up on perfection, you become a lot more productive (& relaxed!)
So, that's enough about me. Now it's time to talk about some other amazing authors. Unfortunately, the authors I asked to participate are so good that they're too busy writing to write about their writing! So I'm going to give you some links to check out a couple of writers that I like (in addition to Erin, of course).
Paula Huston- author of Simplifying the Soul-Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit and a LOT of other books
Paula is an inspiration to me because she seeks simplicity in order to bring her closer to God. I seek simplicity too but she actually accomplishes it!
Jared Zimmerer- author of The Ten Commandments of Lifting Weights and Man Up!
I've recently become acquainted with Jared through our parish and some old Catholic school connections. He's a dynamic man who is alive in his faith. While his writing is intended mostly for a male audience, I think it's beneficial for anyone.
Hallie Lord- author of Style, Sex and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter
Hallie is to Catholic Women what Jared is to Catholic men: she is the epitome of a girly-girl with the faith of a ChurchFather. She seamlessly combines her feminity and her faith all the while keeping her sense of fun and playfulness. Reading her work keeps me on track in my faith and also keeps me from getting too serious. Love this lady!
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