3 Steps in Writing for Catholic Journals

3 Steps in Writing for Catholic Journals 

To this writer it is interesting that  I would be writing at such a late age.  Who would’ve thunk it to be?  So, let’s delve into the components of writing as a skill and perhaps how it is supported by scripture. 

This is not all from the top of my head. I consulted with an authority on cognitive psychology and my own experience from  teaching English composition.  Here is what the two of us and the bible had to say: planning, sentence generation and revision.  

Planning requires memory and by memory we mean more immediate memory.  There needs to be a mentally visual process, creating mental images, a general schema on the main topics and sub ideas.  Combining this with expertise on the topic makes the writing process less stressful.  In other words, there needs to be a vision and that vision will allow the words to breath out more easily.  Yes, the bible [Revelation 1] says we are to write about things we have seen - in the past, now and in the future. 

Part of the planning process is a prewriting stage.  This allows for a better organized paper in that ideas can be more cohesive and interrelated.  Perhaps an outline is helpful. We’ve heard that when you commit your work to the Lord, your plans will be established. [Proverbs 16:3].   

Sentence generation requires us to translate the general ideas we have imagined.   It is even helpful to speak the sentences out loud to listen for fluency of thought, coherence,  or errors in logic.   Mistakes are made and this might make the writing process time consuming.  We have to ask ourselves if our writing is accomplishing the intended goals.  Thus revision is necessary.

Again, revision is necessary because changes need to be made if the interrelation of ideas and goals do not appear to be accomplished.  Revision solves the problems of organization, interrelation, focus and transition of ideas. Proofreading by another is also most helpful.   Because the writer may overlook his own errors, you can proofread someone else’s writing better than your own.  At least wait a day.

God prepared his works; we should prepare our works when writing. [Ephesians 2; 10]

Case in point.  My first writing publication as a retiree was an account of my initial experience with the French culture, 50 years ago.  I prayed over it.  The vision of the experience came after 50 years, and the ideas and sentences with proper sequence of events flowed.  My revisions were for grammar and sentence structure only.  Voila!  Viva la France!

Related:

Baglino, Michael J.  You Only Live Thrice:  Semi Biographical Articles and Vignettes on Religion and Culture.  New York:   Penguin Writers. 2022.