I'm trying to get going on an overdue project, a book about St. Junipero Serra and the American Saints. Input from you on this and future posts on this topic could be invaluable!
This is a reply to a reader comment that was since deleted. "Really, Roseanne, you have received all these graces from several awesome pilgrimages this year, numerous Catholic writing jobs and conferences, and still you wonder why you cannot write first chapter of Father Serra book? Why not forsake all of the above so you can concentrate before asking others for help?" I was surprised that she seemed to think there is something wrong with asking for help. I wrote her "I am looking for feedback about the content and tone of the chapter from my readers." Here is what I wrote towards the end of the post, and perhaps she didn't read that far.
"Basically, my request from you is to give me reactions to the ideas I’ve put down here and will continue to put down in future posts about the development of this book.
"It could be an invaluable help to me, from what another Substack writer wrote. He had published a book before he started his Substack, and he wished he had begun earlier, while he’d been writing the book. The community that formed around his Substack posts has given him a lot of great feedback, of the kind he could have used when deciding what would be interesting to readers before the book was done. . . . You can be a part of helping me bring this project to completion and maybe even appear in the author's acknowledgments, if it comes to that."
No problems. Just questions about why you thought it was unseemly to ask for feedback about my ideas for my sample chapter.Keep reading. God bless you.
Hi Marcy, Great to hear back from you. The pilgrimage I will write about in the book is one that we took in May to the East Coast of the US and Canada, but today we are leaving for another pilgrimage to Japan with about 25 other people led by our Oratory’s Japanese Rector Canon Ueda. I've written an article about what Archbishop Cordileone has done to counter the slanders of St. Serra and others. It's a cause dear to my heart too. "Archbishop Cordileone Creatively Counters the Defamation of Saint Junípero Serra With Holy Water, the Rosary—and the Arts, which was published in Latin Mass Magazine, Fall 2022 https://drive.google.com/file/d/15bHCf3vnqr2w_mrZNFG5BvpGAUFft9qd/view
From Marcy D: I read the post! I will think, and add a comment when I’m ready. I love the idea of a book that honors and respects these heroic men and women as they deserve, as they, especially Fr. Serra, are often severely castigated in this godless age.
Question: it says you’re going to Japan and back on the 16th? I must have misread that or you already did that trip?
I had not heard of him, so I decided to look him up, and I found this person at the preceding link. It looks like he founded the Knights of Columbus. Is that right?
I still have the little saint books I had when I was a child. Maybe it would help you to create a small write up of each saint, much like those old books, and then a longer version for people who want more details. Are they giving you an illustrator to work with? Pictures always make text more approachable.
You have a conversational writing style, which is really approachable. I think this is a cool project.
I am not sure my input is very helpful, but it’s all I have right now.
I am really a space cadet, aren’t I?? How could I misspell Blessed McGivney’s name? Yes, he started the Knights of Columbus. Your ideas are much appreciated! One former tech writer to another still in the biz! I also appreciate your appreciation of my conversational writing style. :-) I will submit photos from my trip. My photos are often published with articles. I plan also to introduce each chapter with the saint from the Carstensen painting, if we have the rights.
Dear Roseanne, my friend,
Of course, I'll help you!
Love,
Sarah Cortez in Houston
That’s great Sarah, dear! Any reactions so far?
This is a reply to a reader comment that was since deleted. "Really, Roseanne, you have received all these graces from several awesome pilgrimages this year, numerous Catholic writing jobs and conferences, and still you wonder why you cannot write first chapter of Father Serra book? Why not forsake all of the above so you can concentrate before asking others for help?" I was surprised that she seemed to think there is something wrong with asking for help. I wrote her "I am looking for feedback about the content and tone of the chapter from my readers." Here is what I wrote towards the end of the post, and perhaps she didn't read that far.
"Basically, my request from you is to give me reactions to the ideas I’ve put down here and will continue to put down in future posts about the development of this book.
"It could be an invaluable help to me, from what another Substack writer wrote. He had published a book before he started his Substack, and he wished he had begun earlier, while he’d been writing the book. The community that formed around his Substack posts has given him a lot of great feedback, of the kind he could have used when deciding what would be interesting to readers before the book was done. . . . You can be a part of helping me bring this project to completion and maybe even appear in the author's acknowledgments, if it comes to that."
No problems. Just questions about why you thought it was unseemly to ask for feedback about my ideas for my sample chapter.Keep reading. God bless you.
Hi Marcy, Great to hear back from you. The pilgrimage I will write about in the book is one that we took in May to the East Coast of the US and Canada, but today we are leaving for another pilgrimage to Japan with about 25 other people led by our Oratory’s Japanese Rector Canon Ueda. I've written an article about what Archbishop Cordileone has done to counter the slanders of St. Serra and others. It's a cause dear to my heart too. "Archbishop Cordileone Creatively Counters the Defamation of Saint Junípero Serra With Holy Water, the Rosary—and the Arts, which was published in Latin Mass Magazine, Fall 2022 https://drive.google.com/file/d/15bHCf3vnqr2w_mrZNFG5BvpGAUFft9qd/view
And it was republished at Catholic Arts Today:
Defending St. Junípero Serra, with Holy Water, the Rosary 21 October 2022 https://benedictinstitute.org/2022/10/defending-st-junipero-serra-with-holy-water-the-rosary-and-the-arts/
From Marcy D: I read the post! I will think, and add a comment when I’m ready. I love the idea of a book that honors and respects these heroic men and women as they deserve, as they, especially Fr. Serra, are often severely castigated in this godless age.
Question: it says you’re going to Japan and back on the 16th? I must have misread that or you already did that trip?
Lots of luck. I’ve enjoyed reading anecdotes of your travels and life experiences.
💕
Onward!!
With hope,
Denali
Roseanne,
Is this the priest you are referring to: ?
https://crossinthewoods.com/blessed-fr-michael-mcgivney-shrine/#:~:text=Michael%20McGivney-,Fr.,prepare%20him%20for%20seminary%20admission.
Maybe you are missing the “g” in his name?
I had not heard of him, so I decided to look him up, and I found this person at the preceding link. It looks like he founded the Knights of Columbus. Is that right?
I still have the little saint books I had when I was a child. Maybe it would help you to create a small write up of each saint, much like those old books, and then a longer version for people who want more details. Are they giving you an illustrator to work with? Pictures always make text more approachable.
You have a conversational writing style, which is really approachable. I think this is a cool project.
I am not sure my input is very helpful, but it’s all I have right now.
---Emily
I am really a space cadet, aren’t I?? How could I misspell Blessed McGivney’s name? Yes, he started the Knights of Columbus. Your ideas are much appreciated! One former tech writer to another still in the biz! I also appreciate your appreciation of my conversational writing style. :-) I will submit photos from my trip. My photos are often published with articles. I plan also to introduce each chapter with the saint from the Carstensen painting, if we have the rights.