Aspiring Catholic Author? Homeschool Guide to Getting Started
Do you or your Catholic homeschool teen want to be a writer in the Catholic market? Writing is a noble aspiration, and writing for the Catholic world is even more so. If you or someone you know is interested in applying themselves towards a future as a Catholic author, we’re here for you. Following is the ultimate resource list for aspiring Catholic writers—taking you from homeschooler to published author!
Nonfiction Writing
First, let’s start with resources for the Catholic nonfiction author—the essayist, reviewer, or aspiring scholar.
To begin with, get yourself a good Catholic dictionary. Several free online encyclopedias exist, including the voluminous 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent. But if you find that one too wordy and sprawling to be helpful, some excellent shorter resources are available in hard copy. Most notable are Fr. John Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary and Fr. Peter Stravinskas’s Catholic Dictionary.
Any serious non-fiction writer needs to be familiar with the different formatting styles used by professional publications. The Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, and APA are the most common in the world of non-fiction. But did you know that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops publishes its own style guide? The USCCB Style Guide offers writers guidance regarding capitalization and usage of liturgical, sacramental, and theological terms. The best part is, it’s available for free online! You can download the USCCB Style Guide here.
You may also want to get hold of the CNS Stylebook of Religion, published by the Catholic News Service. The CNS Stylebook of Religion puts the 80+ years of CNS’s journalistic expertise at your fingertips by offering guidance on terms, styles, and accurate facts about religion, especially Catholic and other religious institutions. It includes over 1,100 entries, defining terms specific to Catholicism, enabling users to write cogently and intelligently about Catholic concepts using correct terminology.
Fiction Writing
Fiction writing is a whole other ballgame. If you are a fiction writer, several excellent resources for Catholic writers will help you master the craft of storytelling!
One excellent resource for helping you craft compelling plot lines is Stan Williams’ The Moral Premise. Though written for filmmakers and scriptwriters, The Moral Premise is applicable to any fiction writer. Williams discusses how to structure a plot around moral lessons to create compelling stories that resonate with the audience.
Another book you may want to check out is Dorothy Sayers’ The Mind of the Maker. Written in 1941 by renowned Catholic author and translator Dorothy Sayers, The Mind of the Maker discusses the art of creative writing and how the various aspects of writing reflect the Trinity. Be warned, though, this is not an easy read. For the intrepid reader, it’s payoff is well worth the labor.
Another valuable work is Flannery O’Connor’s Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose. Published after her death in 1964, Mystery and Manners is a collection of O’Connor’s essays and speeches on different aspects of writing and literature. It offers fantastic advice and insight for fiction writers in particular.
The great C.S. Lewis also has a book on the craft of writing entitled On Writing (And Writers): A Miscellany of Advice and Opinions. This book is a compilation of texts from Lewis’s essays and letters on the art of writing and how to be a good writer. It contains invaluable advice from one of Christian literature’s most significant figures.
Support Associations
Besides written works, several wonderful associations exist to help Catholic authors realize their dreams.
First and foremost is the Catholic Writers Guild. The Guild provides networking for Catholic writers to connect, share their work, and receive feedback, as well as offers resources for finding Catholic publishers. They also hold in-person conferences and workshops for writers to meet one another and learn from seasoned professionals.
Another fantastic community is Write These Words. Write These Words is an online community that provides networking and resources for Catholic writers, including courses, webinars, and individual coaching. Finally, there is the Catholic Media Association. The Catholic Media Association offers professional development, networking, inspiration, and support for the faith formation of Catholic media professionals. While the Catholic Media Association is more geared towards journalists, any Catholic communicator can benefit from their expertise and resources.
Most Importantly
It is essential to remember that one of the surest ways to become proficient at writing is to expose oneself to good writing. An excellent writer should be a seasoned reader. So stay grounded in good literature, read voraciously, and pay attention to authors you like.
What makes a good author? Their goodness is not indefinable; it is in the specific voice he chooses, the particular manner of speech he utilizes, his economy of words, and how he strings them together. Instead of saying “I like reading Narnia books,” ask yourself, “What is it about the writing style of C.S. Lewis that appeals to me?” Instead of saying, “G.K. Chesterton is fun to read,” ask yourself, “Why is G.K. Chesterton’s writing style so enjoyable?” Try pinpointing the mechanics of why an author is considered “good.” Then try to emulate these mechanics in your own words and voice.
Online Courses
If you or your teen are serious about pursuing writing, I recommend exploring the Homeschool Connections’ Aquinas Writing Advantage (AWA) program. AWA offers a wide range of LIVE and recorded writing courses taught through the lens of the Catholic faith, designed to nurture strong, faithful communicators. In fact, we know of several adult students who took AWA recorded fiction writing courses and then went on to become published authors!
AWA has been awarded First Place multiple years in a row by homeschoolers through the iLearn Awards. Available are writing courses for grades 3 through 12 that prepare students for college and beyond, along with several niche courses for aspiring authors, such as Screenwriting, Foundations of Journalism, Perfecting Your Query Letter & Synopsis Workshop, Write Your Own Science Fiction/Fantasy Short Story, Writing for Video Production & Media, and much more. Whether starting out or refining your craft, AWA is a great next step on your Catholic writing journey.
In Closing
Ultimately, becoming a Catholic writer is a journey of both the mind and the soul. It requires dedication to the craft, immersion in great works, a firm grounding in the truths of the Faith, and a willingness to keep learning and growing. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, crafting essays or epic tales, your work can be a light to the world—sharing truth, beauty, and goodness in a time that desperately needs it. With the right tools, a supportive community, and a heart rooted in Christ, you can answer the call to be a Catholic writer with confidence and joy. Happy writing!
