“What do you want to do?” my counselor asked me. “Let’s talk about the future and what it may hold for you.”

I really had no specific answer. After all, I had been trying to just stay afloat for so long, so I answered the best I knew how to: “I want to do...

I should probably add a disclaimer: these five tips are hard-won, and often very difficult to put into practice. I’ve made so many mistakes as an editor, not just in my editing but in my relationship with authors. I’ve messed up even with authors who are personal friends of mine...

Do you write, or are you a writer?

Do you paint, or are you an artist?

Do you sing, or are you a musician?

And why does it matter how you describe yourself?

We tend to assume that only people who meet some arbitrary benchmark — a completed novel draft, a publishing contract, or a degree in...

Note from Claire: In November, we interviewed Amy Brooks, Founder of Catholics Online, in our PraiseWriters community. During our time together, she shared that she felt called to found her community because of the lack of a supportive Catholic community among influencers online.

There was a...

If I am serious about my writing, I want it to be the best it can be. That happens when I enlist the help and talents of others. Many books have a page of acknowledgements recognizing those who have had a part in the final published work. It’s a village of people. Here are some of those in...

Writing Tips + My 12 Favorite Books On Writing

I am in a writing group with three of my sisters. Each Friday we send an update to the group about what we have accomplished and ask for feedback on any writing we have done.  The other day I was feeling that I had not made much progress in my writing. I didn’t feel productive. ...

It’s Mother Angelica’s birthday today, April 20.

She was born 100 years ago—grew up in a broken home, struggled with various painful illnesses, and was desperately poor. 

When I read her biography by Raymond Arroyo years ago, I was struck by the resilience of the foundress...

We were wrapping up the Q&A session after my talk at an online writer’s conference. The recording had already stopped and I relaxed and stretched my legs under my desk as the moderator asked me to field a final question. 

It was one I’m asked frequently: How do you find time...

It was eight o’clock in the morning. My day was in full swing. I had already driven my children to school and was back home again. I had unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher.

As I was heading to my weekly Holy Hour, I checked my calendar and email. And I noticed a message from a publisher I...