To write well, Christian poets and writers do well to:

Read, read, read almost everything but especially the Bible -- cover to cover, including the footnotes and articles printed in each reputable study edition of a Church-approved translation. (For more help on the subject, click onto The Bible.)

Study classical works in your chosen genre. Also, find and study good models for writing, particularly writers with whom you identify. The sections on Biblical Poetry and Poems to Study will give you some poetic examples and reading suggestions to study and enjoy.

Use English well. If grammar, syntax, spelling, and/or punctuation don’t come easily for you, get a dictionary, grammar book, or editing software to use for a quick reference. You can also find online resources on English usage such as those mentioned on the Resources page.

Observe people of all types and ages. Listen to them, and develop an understanding of what draws them into reading a poem, story, article, or book.

Study magazines, books, and Internet publications to find editors and publishers whose work appeals to you.

See what gaps you can uniquely fill. Then Research each topic thoroughly, verifying sources and double-checking for accuracy, including those facts you’re sure you know. 

Unless you’re writing a stream-of-conscious piece or a poem, plan your work before you begin. The Write Plan offers ideas for developing your book proposal with an outline or synopsis so you can identify any potential problems before you begin to write.

Practice writing.

Write, write, write!

Let your manuscripts or poetry flow onto the page, then let them sit and rest a while. Come back to the work later as though your articles, poems, or stories were written by someone else.

Read your work aloud, including each revision. Does the content, logic, time sequence, or anything else cause you to pause? If so, trust yourself! Better yet trust God to guide you in discerning and admitting if or when anything seems “off.”

Once you have identified a problem, you can usually correct it yourself. If not, you know where to find help in a click! For information on a professional, practical, and encouraging evaluation of your poems, fiction, nonfiction or book proposals, check out the Critique Service.

To write accurately and well about Catholicism -- or to write for Catholic readers:

Look up each topic you want to address in the subject index of the Catechism to find Church wisdom and guidance on your topic. For instance, the index has several entries on various aspects of “Evangelical counsels” and a page of listings on Eucharist.

Study the early Christian writings that have been preserved and protected by the Church since the very first centuries and can now be found on the Vatican website.(See the Resources page for these documents and other helps.)