No Wasted Ink Newsletter & Ramblecast - February 2025
a newsletter and voiceover podcast by Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp
Welcome to the monthly No Wasted Ink Newsletter. My name is Wendy Van Camp and I’m Poet Laureate Emerita from the City of Anaheim, California. This newsletter is not affiliated with the city. All views stated here are my own.
RAMBLE
One of the hazards of living in Southern California is the danger of wildfire. In years past, the fire had reached close enough to my home to see the flames. We had packed our car anticipating an evac order, but that day it did not come. I remember another day coming home from an art show where the freeway had been surrounded by flames and I accidently drove right into the center of it. The windows of my SUV became red hot as I frantically searched for a way to cross a median and shot off in the opposite direction to escape the flames. With so many roads closed, it took me hours to find a way home again.
This year, we were lucky. The flames engulfed Los Angeles and headed off to the north, away from our home here in Anaheim. I feel for all those who have lost their homes. It could happen to any of us. Many fingers are pointing in all sorts of directions, trying to lay blame. But this is California. We have earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, and the occasional mini tornado to contend with. You learn to live with it.
This January I’ve been staying home for the most part. It’s been colder than I can remember and I’ve been shivering while bundled up in sweaters. Due to the fires, the air quality outside is not the best and I feel I’m better off inside the house. I’ve been diligently filling out applications to appear at festivals and conferences, appearing on podcasts, reading poetry books as a judge for the IBPA Book Awards, mentoring writing coach clients, and working on writing assignments. I’m busy, but not overwhelmed. Being the dead of winter, I get a break from the outside world and I relish the quiet. All too soon, I’ll be traveling again, putting my act of being an extrovert on display for all to see.
I hope your winter is going well and that you and yours are safe from the current fire crisis. Communities will band together and get us all through this. Maybe even the government will do something useful for people. One never knows.
yours in poetry,
Wendy
ESSAY
Finding Your Unique Voice as a Writer
When I first made the leap from writing novels to explore poetry, it felt like stepping into a completely different world. As a novelist, I thrived on building intimate universes and letting characters breathe over hundreds of pages. Poetry, though? It didn’t give me that luxury. It demanded honesty, raw, immediate, and right there on the page. For a while, I felt like I was just borrowing other poets’ voices, trying on their styles like clothes that never quite fit. I’d write in one way, then another, hoping something would click, but it all felt a little hollow.
Everything changed when I stopped looking outward and turned inward. Instead of chasing someone else’s voice, I started writing about my own interests, such as astronomy and space flight, or my life. I experimented, trying different forms, blending genres, even playing with how my words sounded out loud. Slowly, something real emerged.
Finding your voice as a writer isn’t about nailing it right away or trying to sound like your heroes. It’s about getting real with yourself, taking feedback without letting it derail you, and trusting your unique perspective. Your voice is more than the words on the page; it’s the connection between you and your readers. And while the journey to finding it might feel bumpy and uncertain, it’s also where the magic happens. So, what’s stopping you from taking that first step?
Reflect on Your Personal Experiences
Your personal experiences are a treasure trove of uncovering your unique writing voice. Think about the moments that left a mark on you, the ones that shaped how you see the world. Maybe it’s the chaotic joy of family holidays, the heartbreak of losing someone you loved, or that quiet triumph when you finally stood up for yourself. Those memories aren’t just stories; they’re packed with raw emotions, hard-earned lessons, and perspectives that belong to you alone.
Don’t be afraid to get messy. The unpolished parts, the awkward or even downright ugly stuff, are often the most real. Jot it all down without overthinking. No one’s grading this. It’s just you, your thoughts, and the page.
As you keep writing, you might notice patterns. Maybe you always find humor in dark moments or have a knack for describing small, everyday details that others overlook. These little quirks? They’re the breadcrumbs leading you to your voice.
So why not lean into your own story and interests? There’s so much depth and honesty in the experiences that have shaped you. And who knows? What feels deeply personal might just end up resonating with someone else.
Experiment with Different Styles and Genres
Experimenting with different styles and genres is a bit like rummaging through your closet and trying on outfits. You’re figuring out what fits, what feels right, and what makes you say, “Yeah, that’s me.” Maybe you usually stick to poetry, but what happens if you give a short story a shot? Or if you’re all about historical fiction, why not dip your toes into sci-fi or fantasy? Each style has its own vibe, its own way of pulling you in and pushing you to think differently about how you tell a story.
And don’t stop there. Play around with tone. Write something light and goofy one day, then pour your heart into something raw and emotional the next. Mess with point of view. What does your story sound like from a side character’s perspective? Try dialogue-heavy scenes that hum with energy, or lose yourself in lush, descriptive passages that slow everything down.
You don’t have to ace every genre or form. That’s not the point. The goal is to stumble across the things that light you up inside. Maybe you’ll discover that your voice sparkles brightest in unexpected places. Or maybe you’ll just learn what doesn’t work for you, which is just as valuable. Either way, every experiment adds something to your writer’s toolbox and gets you closer to understanding what makes your work unmistakably yours.
So go ahead, mix it up and see what happens. Who knows? You might surprise yourself.
Pay Attention to Your Word Choices
Your word choices are like a signature. They’re what makes your writing undeniably yours. Take a moment to think about the words you naturally reach for. Are they colorful, painting big, bold pictures? Or do you lean toward something cleaner, more direct, like a simple sketch that still says it all? Maybe you’re drawn to rich metaphors that linger in the mind, or you’ve got a knack for breezy, conversational language that feels like a chat with a friend.
How do your sentences come together? Do they stretch out in long, flowing rhythms, or hit like sharp jabs? Your descriptions of everyday things, such as morning coffee or rain, reveal your unique perspective.
Here’s a tip: read your work out loud. Yeah, it might feel awkward at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. You’ll catch the rise and fall of your sentences, hear the tone and pacing, and maybe even spot patterns you didn’t notice before. And don’t be afraid to mess around with unfamiliar words or phrases. Experiment a little. You might find something that feels just right, like slipping on a pair of shoes you didn’t know you needed.
The key is to embrace the language that feels most like you. The more you home in on what you love, the more your writing will ring true.
Write Without Imitation
Writing without copying someone else’s style? Yeah, it’s tough. Especially when you’ve got a stack of favorite books or poems you wish you’d written yourself. Admiring other writers is normal. We all do it. Their clever dialogue or the way they seem to pull magic out of everyday moments? It’s hard not to be inspired. But there’s a fine line between being influenced and just plain mimicking.
So, what do you do instead? Inspect what you love about their work. Is it the way they can make a character feel like your best friend after two paragraphs? Or how their words practically drip off the page, bursting with color and life? Once you pinpoint what grabs you, think about how you can make it your own.
And here’s the thing: give yourself permission to be messy. Your first attempts might feel clumsy or unpolished, and that’s okay. In fact, that’s where the gold is. Those raw, imperfect drafts? They’re uniquely yours. They’re the start of something real, something only you can create.
Nobody else has your perspective, your stories, or your way of looking at the world. That’s what makes your writing worth reading. So, lean into your own voice, messy, honest, and unapologetically you. Because your voice isn’t something you steal from someone else, it’s something you find by letting yourself be exactly who you are.
Embrace Feedback Without Compromise
Feedback can feel like a double-edged sword, right? On one hand, it’s crucial for growing as a writer. On the other, it can sting. You pour your heart into something, and then someone points out a flaw, and suddenly you’re questioning everything. It’s tough not to get defensive or let doubt creep in, but the trick is to treat feedback as a tool, not a verdict.
Start by looking for patterns. If a handful of people are flagging the same thing, there’s probably something worth revisiting. But remember, not all advice is golden. Writing is subjective, and not every critique will vibe with your vision. That’s when you’ve got to step back and ask yourself, “Does this suggestion strengthen my story? Or does it take me further from what I’m trying to say?”
It’s okay to say no to changes that don’t sit right with you. Your voice, the way you see the world and tell your story, is what makes your work unique. Feedback is there to help you fine-tune, not to sand down the edges that make your writing yours.
So, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and use critiques to level up without losing yourself. Trust your gut. It knows your voice better than anyone else.
Finding your voice as a writer isn’t about sticking to a formula or ticking off a checklist, it’s about leaning into who you really are. Your voice is this blend of your experiences, the words you’re drawn to, and how you make sense of the world around you. It’s not something you just stumble upon one day; it’s a process, full of trial and error, and a few leaps of faith.
And let’s be honest, it can feel messy. You might write something and think, This doesn’t even sound like me. That’s okay. Every experiment, every risk you take, gets you closer to the style that feels authentic. The best part? Your voice isn’t carved in stone. It shifts as you grow, picking up bits of wisdom and new perspectives along the way.
Feedback will be part of that journey. Some of it will help you sharpen your craft, while some might feel like it’s steering you away from what matters most. That’s where trusting yourself comes in. No one else sees the world exactly like you do, and that’s your superpower.
So, don’t stress about being perfect. Just write. Let your quirks, your truths, and your perspective shine through. The world doesn’t need another knockoff. It needs the one-of-a-kind story or poem only you can tell.
SCIFAIKU
won in an auction nevermind science suppliers grants will pay for all
This scifaiku is part of a series about a gemstone that make quantum computers possible. This is the fourth segment about the unique properties of this single source stone. The poem was published in Eccentric Orbits 4.
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Gallifrey One
LAX Airport Marriot
Los Angeles, CA
February 14th – 16th
Ticket is required for entry
I am back in the dealer room selling and autographing my books and poetry artwork. I should still have an assortment of my handmade jewelry available. This may be my only jewelry event for the year, so if you are a fan of my metalwork, please stop by.
Writing Coach Services
with Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp
I’m pleased to announce I have opened my consultation service at Indigoskye Press. I offer single hour coaching via Skype. I can help you navigate through the complex process of organizing a poetry chapbook, to either publish Indie or to prepare to entice a small press to pick up your book. I can explain how to Indie Publish your novel. I can also help on board potential science fiction authors and poets into the convention scene. If you need help with a long project, let me be your guide.
You can also order a block of three sessions at a discount.
Please visit my shop via the link at the top of my portfolio website or go there direct: https://indigoskye.com
LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Portfolio - http://wendyvancamp.com
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/wendyvancamp
Medium - https://medium.com/@wvancamp
Indigoskye Press - https://indigoskye.com
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/wvancamp
Instagram - https://instagram.com/nowastedink
Mastodon - https://me.dm/@wvancamp
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/indigoskye.bsky.social
BOOKS
The Planets: a scifaiku poetry collection - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z8HMPF2
The Curate’s Brother: A Jane Austen Variation of Persuasion - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OU1V45A
ANTHOLOGIES
Eccentric Orbits: An Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry
Volumes 1 - 5
Editor
Available for purchase: https://dimensionfold.com
Anaheim Poetry Review 2023
Volumes 1 - 2
Editor
Free to Read: https://anaheimpoetry.com
Eye To The Telescope: Quests #46 - Fall 2022
Guest Editor
Free to Read: https://eyetothetelescope.com/archives/046issue.html
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