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Meet Catholic Fantasy Writer Gen Ponce- 60th Interview

Meet Catholic Fantasy Writer Gen Ponce- 60th Interview

Last updated on: October 21, 2026 at 1:13 pm by Mark Wilson

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Meet Catholic Fantasy Writer Gen Ponce- 60th Interview 2026-10-21T13:13:44-05:00 Mark Wilson

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As of this article, I have now reached 60 interviews in my Meet the Writers series. I am so grateful for each and every person who has contributed to this series. I am pleased Catholic Writer Gen Ponce is gracing us with interview number 60.

I never get tired of repeating practically what I write for every introduction. They blend faith, fiction and Catholic thought well and are worth learning about. Another writer who takes her craft seriously and you can see it in her fiction, blog posts and in this interview. So without further blabbing from me it’s time to….

Meet Catholic Fantasy Writer Gen Ponce
60th Interview

1. Tell something interesting about yourself.

I’ve been studying art and animation for a few years now. The only issue is that I’m not especially great at either of these things, and practice and study have been difficult in my current living situation. It was upon writing The Chronicles of Law and starting my Substack that I realized my talents lay more in writing. I love art. But I have a feeling that if I ever produce a project in that particular medium, it will certainly be with the help of more talented artists. I’m a social person, and being able to give like minded artists a way to use their skills without having to sell their souls or become debt slaves has already been a goal of mine for years. If I could ever achieve that, I’d be beyond grateful.

2. What makes a good Catholic writer?

The same principles that make any writer good, I think. By prioritizing the craft itself above all else (while ensuring that the work doesn’t glorify sin) it may be a more effective way to evangelize people than by writing an explicitly Christian story. Of course adaptations of the Bible and Christian allegory absolutely have their place, but the job of the artist is to primarily make good art. A good Catholic writer, therefore, is one whose principles and themes emerge naturally from the narrative. Tolkien is an excellent example.

3. What do you like about being a Catholic/Christian Writer?

I suppose it’s being able to do it. It isn’t always easy to write while caring for small children, but I’m grateful for the opportunities that I do have.

4. What is the Main focus of your particular writing or what do you like to write about?

In my Substack publication, Aquinas_Copier, I mostly write about art, media, pop culture, and occasionally, social issues through a Thomistic philosophical lens. I’m no genius, nor am I a scholar. However, with Aquinas’ work freely available online it’s easier than ever to learn his teachings and apply them to modern issues. It’s a far more fruitful way to examine the world than any modern political or philosophical lens. The term “Aquinas Copier” comes from the idea that I’m simply just “copying Aquinas’ homework.”

5. How does your Catholic Faith influence your writing?

In my nonfiction works and articles, it’s fairly obvious. For my fiction, I prefer to keep that influence more subtle unless making it explicit can possibly strengthen the narrative, or, if it is a story about Catholic anthropology itself.

6. What’s your favorite article/Post/book/story you have written?

I’ve only written three books so far, and The Chronicles of Law is absolutely my favorite. The project began as an interesting thought experience but became a deeply personal story. It’s the reason I became a writer, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Herald was an optimistic creature. For his entire life, he had been raised by the wisest forest monks: singing ravens and owl scribes. Despite having been orphaned from a very young age, he had hope for the good of the world.

“Repeat the call to me,” said Envoy.

The raven locked his gaze on the young magpie, waiting to hear his song. His foster son had grown so much since he had taken him in just two years ago. He had found Herald in the bush at dusk, crying for his mother.

7. What is your favorite topic/subject to write about?

When it comes to my articles, I enjoy examining popular media, especially horror and internet content, and how it reflects the culture of the people who create and consume it. Although I find writing fiction more rewarding, even if it can be more difficult.

In Andersen’s story the mermaid begins like her sisters, curious about the world above but not obsessed by it. Everything changes when she learns the truth about souls. Humans die young, but their spirits live forever. Mermaids live for centuries, but vanish like foam. When she realizes eternal life is possible, the prince becomes more than a romantic interest. He becomes the doorway into a mystery she longs for with her whole being. Love awakens something deeper than curiosity. It awakens a desire for immortality. –“The Little Mermaid” is a Better Story Than You Think (Dec 05, 2025)

8. Favorite scripture verse.

This is like choosing a favorite child. I suppose I’d choose

“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.”
-Proverbs 4:23:

Big Spring, a giant karst spring in The Ozarks, Missouri. South of Van Buren it feeds the waters of Current River with ca. 444 cubic feet/s (12,6 m³/s). I, Kbh3rd

Its meaning is that the faithful must guard his emotions, or else his actions can be swayed easily by the whims of the world. I once heard a man say “you don’t want to become puppeteered by your heartstrings,” and he’s correct. People often develop a feeling, and then rationalize the feeling, rather than determining whether a judgement is actually in accordance with reality.

9. What are you currently working on?

Too much at once. I have multiple articles planned and drafted, some of which will be coming out very soon. One project that’s become close to my heart is a trilogy of YA literary novels centering a rural teenager named Peter Brooks. It’s difficult to describe because many aspects of its premise are found in more conventionally genre-focused works, but the project so far has taken on a rather unique identity. One might call it a “romance novel,” but romance is only one aspect of the narrative. One might call it “supernatural” but the one supernatural element it has is more grounded in biology.

I don’t wish to give too much away, as the second and third books have not yet been written yet. The first book is very close to completion.

10. Name a favorite saint or Catholic or some other figure who inspires you in your life.

Again, like picking a favorite child. Aside from Aquinas and Augustine, as they’re rather obvious picks, I love St. Teresa of Avila.

11. Who is your favorite Living Writer?

A difficult question, as most of my favorite writers are dead. If I had to pick a writer who is both still alive and whose work I’ve actually read extensively, I suppose I would pick Chris Toscano, more famously known as “Vincent V. Cava.” Unfortunately he doesn’t appear to be a very good person despite the quality of his work. This, and one or two of his stories run the risk of becoming more grotesque than the narrative requires. Still, his catalogue is filled with strong stories: The Fight, Growths, Little Black Bugs and At The Patio Door are some of the first which come to mind. One of my hopes when talking about creators who aren’t Christian in my articles is that discussion might encourage the Faithful to pray for their conversions. This, and perhaps they can encounter great stories that they otherwise wouldn’t have looking in either mainstream or typical Christian spheres.

12. If you could have lunch with any deceased writer who would it be, what would you eat and what would you talk about?

If not one of the saints, then G.K. Chesterton without question. I would want to discuss how distributist principles could be applied to a post-industrial world, although he’d certainly be doing most of the talking.

13. Name a favorite movie/tv show or music you find worth sharing with others.

It depends on the person I’m making a recommendation to. If the person enjoys horror, I’d recommend either the film Skinamarink or Threads. If the person prefers something lighter, Makoto Sinkai’s recent films are wonderful. If the person has children, I’d recommend Moomin Valley. There’s something for everyone out there. For everyone, however, The Passion of the Christ is a must-watch.

14. Can you see one of your books being made into a movie or tv series? Who would you want to star or direct?

Absolutely. My hope is that, God willing, after I finish my animation studies and accumulate more income, I’ll be able to produce these adaptations myself, working as co-director with an assembled team of artists, animators and freelance professionals. This is part of the reason I’m developing the Aeon Guild Foundation. These are ambitious projects, but I believe that if God wills it to happen, then it will happen.

Catholic Bard- Here is a guy who learned computer animation so he could make a animated movie using public domain characters. It’s inspiriting.

15. Favorite Historical event.

The Resurrection of Our Lord. What could even come close?

The icon of Holy and Great Saturday, portraying the Harrowing of Hades

This interview was published on October 21, 2026

The day these other Historical Trivia events happened

1892 – Opening ceremonies for the World’s Columbian Exposition are held in Chicago, though because construction was behind schedule, the exposition did not open until May 1, 1893.

Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition and The Republic statue and administration building in 1893

1921 – President Warren G. Harding delivers the first speech by a sitting U.S. president against lynching in the Deep South.

1940 – The first edition of the Ernest Hemingway novel For Whom the Bell Tolls is published.

1959 – In New York City, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opens to the public.

Upper East Side, NYC – Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

2003 – Images of the dwarf planet Eris are taken and subsequently used in documenting its discovery.

Low-resolution image of Eris and Dysnomia as imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope‘s NIRCam on 23 August 2024
NASA/ESA/CSA JWST NIRCam; Ana Carolina de Souza Feliciano et al. & Melina Thévenot – Own work

16. What else do you want people to know about anything?

Always root your beliefs in truth. Not merely in what is popular, not what is unpopular, not what you merely “feel” to be true, but the truth. And be wary of who you listen to, as there are many people who may sound intelligent, but are not. The best way to determine truth is to sharpen your intellect, and the intellect becomes sharper when one grows closer to Christ.

If you don’t know where to begin, I have recommended reading here:

Gen Ponce (@genp)’s Shop – Exclusive Merch & Products | Linktree

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Gen Ponce (@genp)’s Shop – Exclusive Merch & Products | Linktree
Aquinas_Copier | Gen P. | Substack
GenX Catholic | Substack

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