Catholic Writers Gather to Discuss Their Craft
– Local Catholic Writers' Guild Launched
(October 18, 2000)
Nearly 100 writers (and aspiring writers) from across Southern
California gathered at Thomas Aquinas College for the 1st
Annual Ventura County Catholic Writers' Conference. The October
14 conference, organized by College Relations Director Dave
Shaneyfelt (Class of '81) and Los Angeles Daily News
columnist Jim Bemis, brought together seven speakers
who addressed such subjects as "Free-Lance Writing for the
Catholic Press," "Writing for Secular News," and "Screenwriting
in Hollywood". ****
Veteran writer Donna Steichen was the luncheon keynote
speaker. The author of Catholic best- seller, Ungodly Rage:
The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism, Mrs. Steichen
recounted how her career developed solely from observing some
of the internal problems that plagued the Catholic Church
in the wake of Vatican II. Having had only marginal success
in getting those problems resolved, she decided to write about
them. Her 1991 book remains the definitive study of the philosophical
roots and deadly effects of feminist ideology within the Catholic
Church in North America.
Mrs. Steichen encouraged writers to become involved
in their parishes and to use their writing talents to fight
against the promotion of false doctrine. She also encouraged
established writers to mentor young writers, so that public
support for orthodoxy will continue. Her latest book, Prodigal
Daughters: Catholic Women Come Home to the Church (Ignatius
Press), is, in the words of a reviewer for Our Sunday Visitor,
"an excellent book for anyone who has drifted from the faith."
Mrs. Steichen, who began writing for the Catholic press
and the pro-life movement in the early 1970's, was presented
at the Conference with the first "Saint Augustine Award for
Excellence in Catholic Writing."
Karen Walker (Class of '76), who has published more
than 300 articles in the Catholic press, gave practical tips
to writers about how to get published – and paid –
as a free-lance writer. The founder of her own free-lance
writing business, Studio Raphael, her articles, stories
and profiles regularly appear in National Catholic Register,
Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic Faith & Family,
and Canticle magazine.
George Neumayr, an editorial writer with Investors
Business Daily, and former editor of The San Francisco
Faith, spoke about Catholic op-ed writers in the secular
media. Neumayr described the indifference – even hostility
– that the secular news media tends to have toward orthodox
religious groups and even to orthodox religious writers. He
urged Catholic writers to penetrate the secular order in spite
of the obstacles they might face, noting that very good Catholic
op-ed writers have found good homes in such venues as The
Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, and
National Review.
Jim Bemis, a regular columnist for the Los Angeles
Daily News and, most recently, for the bustling Catholic
internet news site, e3mil.com, encouraged writers to
look at the issues facing our nation as well-catechized Catholics.
He spoke on society's increasing opposition to Judeo- Christian
principles and how Catholic writers should fight against present
day social tyrannies. Bemis' opinion columns and articles
also appear in the California Political Review, The
Wanderer, National Catholic Register, and
Catholic Digest.
Laura Berquist (Class of '75), the nationally-recognized
homeschool consultant, and author of the popular book, Designing
Your Own Classical Curriculum (Ignatius Press), spoke
of the abundant opportunities available for Catholic writers
to cover homeschooling and the homeschooling movement. A daughter
of Donna Steichen and a prolific writer in her own right,
Mrs. Berquist also urged writers to consider doing book reviews
of homeschooling texts, especially of science programs or
of Catholic materials in high demand.
John Kurzweil, founder and editor of the California
Political Review and president of the California Public
Policy Foundation, spoke about the contrast between the mainstream
political culture and the Judeo-Christian tradition. The former,
he asserted, deems itself rational, when, in fact, it resists
clear thinking – the very charge lobbed at religious
groups. Ultimately, he said, the dominant political culture,
in rejecting the Western Tradition, is attempting to flee
from God.
Matt Sommer, a Hollywood screenwriter, spoke on how
writers can break into Hollywood. Among his many diverse works,
Sommer has written several Murder, She Wrote mysteries
and oversaw development of The Man From Snowy River.
Screenwriters, he said, must have a tremendous passion for
art combined with great perseverence. He counseled against
the temptation to impose a religious or moral message on one's
craft, because audiences, he said, have no patience for preaching.
He recommended the maxim: "If you want to send a message,
use Western Union." Just tell a good story for its own sake,
he said, and it will move people accordingly.
Mass was offered for attendees before the luncheon and the
day closed with recitation of the Rosary in the College chapel.
Based on participant response following the conference, a
Catholic Writers' Guild was formed to encourage, support,
and offer a network of fellow Catholic writers. Among other
things, the Guild intends to host periodic workshops for writers
on a variety of subjects. If you are interested in joining
the Guild, or if you'd like audio tapes from the Writers'
Conference, please contact the Development Office: (800) 634-9797.
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