Mark Wilson has a master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University. Mark shares his column with his wife Kristin. Mark and Kristin have different talents and challenges but are just trying to live Christian lives as companions on their journey.
Mark has worked at several jobs which have given him a place to pray and visit Jesus on his breaks. This includes a Carmelite gift shop, Catholic TV, a bodyguard for the pope, and a nursing home. He has taught catechism, trained circus seals, and volunteered for a suicide prevention hotline. Mark enjoys writing, reading, scaling skyscrapers, and watching movies, as well as spending time with friends – and of course with his beautiful, holy wife. Expect a plethora of posts dealing with books, movies, and the people in their lives.
When asked about writing for Patheos, Mark said, “I love writing for Patheos because I am part of a larger family of writers and not just someone alone on a boat in the middle of cyberspace adrift to the winds of chance. I am a part of something bigger than just my little corner of the internet. I have been given a chance to represent my faith amongst other people representing theirs. I pray that I bring something unique to the table that no one else does. I love my fellow writers in Patheos Catholic and those in other faith traditions, not my own.”
Mark offers up this advice for writers, “If you’re a fellow Patheos writer remember to look around and visit your neighbor. Not just those in your own culture and religion, but those in other faiths. We’re all writers and we all want to be read. Don’t go looking for what your fellow bloggers got wrong about such and such. While it is OK to comment on something someone got wrong, and at times necessary, don’t go on a witch hunt to find errors and mistakes. Also don’t spend your hard-earned time just slamming someone with ad hominem remarks tearing them apart. It might get eyes reading your posts, but it makes you into a more cynical person and doesn’t score points with the only reader that counts who is always reading your blog posts before you even think of them. This brings me to my last main point. Don’t get discouraged due to a lack of readership, feedback, or comments. It’s nice to have, but if you rely on it, you will get bogged down in the gloomy slumps of discouragement. Write because you love to write and share your well-crafted thoughts with other people. If you’re looking to get rich, this isn’t the profession you are looking for. If you’re looking to contribute something worth reading that will uplift others and perhaps make them, think, and get them to be a more loving human being who contributes something to the world, you’re in a good place to do it.”
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