No Wasted Ink Newsletter & Ramblecast - November 2024
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 for the City of Anaheim, California. This newsletter is not affiliated with the city. All views stated here are my own.
RAMBLE
After a hiatus brought on by my summer accident and covid, I was fortunate to experience an October filled with connections and unforgettable moments at literary and genre-focused events. The highlight reel kicks off with EagleCon, hosted at Cal State LA, a science fiction convention where the Starlit Scribes poetry group, which I’m proud to be part of, held a featured reading and discussion about the speculative poetry community. We read our work to a large and engaged audience. It was a joy to share in their energy.
The atmosphere carried through to the Science Fiction Across Media Conference. This is a literary conference for scholars of science fiction literature. Here, I wore multiple hats: presenter, panelist, and poet. Each role brought its own unique rewards. My “Every Word Matters” presentation focused on the value that poetic techniques can bring to novel writing. The audience was smaller first thing in the morning, but asked intelligent questions about the poetry form scifaiku and about my poetry composition methods.
One of the more exhilarating experiences was serving as a panelist on "Women in Biology", a discussion that reached into the heart of women's place in science as displayed in science fiction films. The women scientists of Avatar, Dune, and Black Panther were our starting point, but as we spoke, our conversation branched out, touching on other movies and books that spotlight complex, driven female characters.
Wrapping up the month on a high note, I had the honor of hosting the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer's Association's first open mic event, featuring Bram Stoker Award nominated poet Sumiko Saulson. The energy was both haunting and uplifting, as Saulson’s powerful verse set the tone for the evening.
Looking back, October wasn’t just a month of readings and panels; it was also returning to Anaheim Central Library for the first time in months. I was there to read at the open mic, but also to announce the winners of the "Best of the Net" and later in November the "Pushcart Prize" nominations by the poets of "Anaheim Poetry Review." It is wonderful to see my home open mic continuing to thrive under the leadership of my successor, Camille Hernandez. I care about all the poets I sheparded during my term as Anaheim's Poet Laureate and I'm glad to see them continue to share their voices in a nurturing environment.
yours in poetry,
Wendy
ESSAY
How to Create a Writing Prompt Jar for Inspiration
As a poet, I’ve always found joy in the tactile experience of writing. There’s something magical about putting pen to paper, or in my case, a fountain pen! However, sometimes inspiration was elusive, and I struggled to come up with new ideas for my poems. To peer at a blank page was daunting, and the idea of generating prompts on a computer didn’t resonate with my analog heart. I craved a more hands-on approach to ignite my creativity.
When I had the idea of creating a writing prompt jar, it felt like the perfect solution. A physical, colorful container filled with endless possibilities. By gathering materials that inspired me, brainstorming a variety of prompts, organizing them by theme, and setting aside a regular time to dive into the jar, I knew my imagination would spark. In this essay, I’ll guide you through the process of creating your own writing prompt jar, so you too can unlock the creativity that awaits within those little slips of paper.
Gather Your Materials
Gathering your materials is the first step in creating your writing prompt jar, and it can be a fun part of the process! Start by choosing container that speaks to you. It might be a mason jar, a cute box, or even a recycled coffee can. The key is to pick something you’ll enjoy looking at and fits your style. Next, grab some small pieces of paper or index cards; these will hold your prompts, so make sure they’re easy to write on. You can even get creative with colorful paper or patterned sticky notes for a personal touch. Don’t forget something to write with. Pens, markers, or even colored pencils can add a bit of flair. If you want to make your jar even more inviting, consider decorating it with stickers, washi tape, or inspirational quotes.
Brainstorm a Variety of Prompts
Brainstorming prompts is where the fun begins! Muse about what excites you as a writer. Perhaps these are specific themes, emotions, or even quirky scenarios. Start by jotting down different ideas that come to mind. Create prompts based on your personal experiences. Remember moments that shaped you, take inspiration from current events, or even interesting headlines. Mix in random words or phrases that catch your eye. Sometimes, the most unexpected prompts lead to the best writing. Aim for a diverse collection to keep things fresh. Include genres you want to explore, such as fantasy, romance, or science fiction. Consider adding visual prompts, a favorite painting or a striking photo you’ve taken. Once you have a solid list, you’ll be ready to write each prompt on a separate piece of paper.
Organize Your Prompts by Theme or Genre
Aligning your prompts by theme or genre can add an exciting layer to your writing prompts. It makes it easier to find inspiration when you need to. Start with the different genres or themes you enjoy writing. Perhaps it’s science fiction, romance, or memoir. You can assign each category a specific color or type of paper for easy identification. For instance, use blue for science fiction, red for romance, and green for creative non-fiction prompts. This way, when you’re in the mood for a particular style, you can grab a prompt from that section. Not only does this organization make the jar visually appealing, but it also allows you to dive into your writing more intentionally, focusing on the areas that spark your creativity in the moment.
Set a Regular Time to Use the Jar
Timing is everything. Having a regular time to use your writing prompt jar can turn inspiration into a rewarding routine. Think about when you are most creative. Perhaps it is in the morning with your coffee, during a lunch break, or in the evening after a long day. Once you identify your sweet spot, mark it on your calendar as your dedicated writing time. Treat this session as a special date with yourself. Pull a prompt from the jar, and give yourself a set amount of time, perhaps 15 to 30 minutes, and write without interruption. This structure not only helps build a habit but also takes the pressure off by making writing be a more fun challenge than a chore. Over time, you’ll find these regular sessions help you grow as a writer, allowing you to explore new ideas and push through any creative blocks. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your writing practice alive!
Creating a writing prompt jar is more than just a fun project; it’s a powerful tool for igniting your poetry and overcoming writer’s block. By gathering your materials and personalizing your jar, you set the stage for inspiration to flourish. Brainstorming a diverse array of prompts allows you to explore different themes and genres, ensuring that there’s always something fresh to spark your imagination. Organizing those prompts makes it easy to dive into writing whenever the mood strikes. Adding a regular time to engage with your ideas, helps to establish a consistent writing practice. The act of pulling a prompt and writing from it can lead to unexpected discoveries and newfound confidence in your voice. With each prompt you tackle, you’ll not only enhance your skills but also deepen your connection to your craft.
SCIFAIKU
found in Namibia key to quantum computers a single source stone
This scifaiku is part of a series about a gemstone that make quantum computers possible. This is the second segment about the unique properties of this single source stone. The poem was published in Eccentric Orbits 4.
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Local Author Day
Fullerton Public Library
Conference Room
Fullerton, CA
November 16th from 12pm to 4pm
I will be at table to sell my books and anthologies at the Author Fair. I will have paperback copies of EO5 available along with the rest of the anthology series.
Indian Association for Science Fiction Studies (IASFS) (Virtual)
Bangalore, India
November 18th
https://iasfs.in/
I will be performing my science fiction short story “We Can Rebuild Him” live via Zoom in the reading block starting at 6:30am Pacific Time.
LosCon 50 "Celebrating 50 Loscons"
Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel
Los Angeles, CA
November 29th - December 1st
I will be paneling once again at LosCon. Look for my books in the dealer room. I will post more details on my instagram as we get closer to the event.
Soft World Building in Speculative Poetry
La Jolla B
November 29th at 8pm
Panelist
Whispers of Wonder: Embracing Speculative Poetry
La Jolla B
November 30th at 10am
Moderator
Here There Be Dragons: Dragons As They Appear in Multiple Mythos and Fictional Universes
Los Angeles C
November 30th at 11:30am
Panelist
The Rise of Women in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Los Angeles C
December 1st at 11:30am
Moderator
Genre Poetry: The New Frontier of Verse
La Jolla A
December 1st at 1pm
Panelist
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Eccentric Orbits 5: an anthology of science fiction poetry
Dimensionfold Publishing, October 4th
Editor of Poetry Anthology
https://www.amazon.com/Eccentric-Orbits-Anthology-Science-Fiction/dp/199839509X
As editor of EO5, I am happy to announce it has launched at last. It is available in both paperback and ebook form. It features a diverse selection of speculative poets from all over the globe, many of whom are considered at the top of their field. If you ever wondered what speculative poetry is, this volume is a great place to sample quality poetry by great poets.
Within Eccentric Orbits 5, I have included two of my own poems, “Dragonette” & “Whale-SETI: a scifaiku series.”
Indie Author Magazine
November 2024 Issue
https://indieauthormagazine.com
Wendy Van Camp has an essay in this issue. It is part of the “Devil in the Details” series in the magazine. “Four Steps to Building Stronger Narratives Based on Your Character’s Flaws”
IAM offers both a print version or an ebook/pdf version on their website.
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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