To Be Salt and Light: The Well-Formed Writer claire dwyer

Hi Claire,

I have a question regarding the “credentials” we discussed in the query letter meeting on Saturday. I am feeling a desire to further my education which I am praying about. I am hoping it will make me a better/more informed writer with more credibility.

You have...

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Why I Write kim andrich

“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...

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Five Tips for the Author-Editor Relationship rebecca martin

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...

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No Buts Allowed: Positive Self-Talk for Creatives rebecca martin

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...

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Stories Every Catholic Businesswoman Needs to Tell claire dwyer

“Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables” (Matthew 22:1).

Editor’s note: For more on this topic, join the CWIB Membership Community and attend our November Mastermind Meeting, facilitated by Claire Dwyer on storytelling for Catholic businesswomen.

The head of...

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Submitting a Proposal: A Quick-Start Guide for Writers rebecca martin
 

Pitch: Like speed-dating, but for books. Either virtual or in-person, a pitch session allows a writer a few minutes to share their book idea with an editor. Time is limited, so you have to make your case quickly and well. I’ll talk more about pitching and query letters in another...

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Catholic Writers as Influencers amy brooks

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...

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It Takes a Village to Write colleen orchanian writing

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...

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On Writing katie curtis writing

Writing Tips + My 12 Favorite Books On Writing

I recently gave a talk to a group of Catholic writers, and this post is a recap of some of the main points of that talk along with the writing books I would recommend to anyone looking to strengthen their craft of writing. As someone...

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Making Progress in Your Writing colleen orchanian 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. ...

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Big Dreams Have Small Beginnings claire dwyer hope inspiration

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...

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The Slow Years: Productive vs. Fruitful claire dwyer timing

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...

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Introducing the PraiseWriters Community

PraiseWriters is a membership community of writers who seek support, inspiration, and formation in both the craft of writing and the business of publishing and marketing. 

 

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