No Wasted Ink Newsletter & Ramblecast - August 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
July is a time of sweltering heat, walking on the beach, and drinking plenty of iced coffee. For me, it was the first time I attended ReaderCon in-person. This science fiction literary conference is in Qunicy, Massachusetts. The flight in was comfortable and I had plenty of time to grab lunch in between flights. I ended up using my cane to get around and it worked well. I felt steady on the feet and my energy was good. After many years of dealing with disability, it is the first time I almost felt back to normal.
ReaderCon was eye-opening. The level of speakers was much higher than I am used to. It reminded me of the Nebula Conference, but on steroids! When I arrived, the back of my badge had so many panels, there almost wasn’t room to list them all. For the first time, I asked to be removed from from a panel. Which is too bad since it was about Greek Myth and this would have been a fun conversation. I also attempted my first kaffeeklatch as speaker. I ended up having a nice group of attendees come to hear me chat and ask questions about what a Poet Laureate does.
The rest of the month I attended readings and had one zoom appearance at a Rotary Club in West Texas. They had never had a poet laureate as a guest before and the members were quite complementary and asked many questions. The two readings were the Dwarf Star Anthology reading for nominees of the award and I finally made it down to La Jolla, CA to join the San Diego Poetry Annual poets.
I did not attend the Comic Con Art Show for the first time in around 25 years. Since I was booked in the WorldCon Art Show only two weeks later, I felt I could not handle all the paperwork for two art events back to back. As I work on getting my art prepped and the inventory and paperwork done, I’m glad I choose to sit Comic Con out this year.
yours in poetry,
Wendy
ESSAY
Essence of Haiku and Its Connection to Nature
In haiku poetry, nature is captured through concise imagery. This form of poetry, with its traditional structure of 17 syllables, highlights moments based on our human perception. For instance, the delicate blooming of cherry blossoms or the gentle descent of autumn leaves. This allows readers to visualize the fleeting nature of of the outdoors. Haiku’s use of visual imagery paints a picture in the mind’s eye. It invites deeper reflection of the impermanence of the ever-changing landscape.
Haiku draws readers in by capturing single, fleeting moments in time with sensory imagery. It juxtaposes two concepts into one poem. One concept in the first line and another in the third. They connect via a “cutting word” which provides a subtle transition. This structure allows haiku to evoke sensory experiences and emotions through concise descriptions. By focusing on a specific moment, haiku creates a layered experience to resonate with the reader. The use of sensory details conveys the allure of nature and invites contemplation. It highlights the transient nature of life and our intricate connection within the natural world.
Matsuo Basho, a renowned ancient Japanese poet, emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of emotion. He taught that haiku should reflect a deep connection with the natural world, not just as an observer, but as a participant in the essence of each moment. Basho’s philosophy encouraged poets to seek inspiration from their surroundings. Whether it be the transient attraction of a full moon or the quiet elegance of morning mist. His teachings remind us that haiku is not about describing nature, but embodying the emotional and spiritual resonance found in life. Basho believed that a true haiku comes from a place of simplicity and humility. By appreciating the impermanence of life and finding joy in the ordinary. This perspective continues to inspire haiku poets to draw from their personal experiences. By capturing the profound and often overlooked details that reflect the deeper truths of existence.
For a new poet exploring haiku, the environment offers a rich source of inspiration. It can influence your emotions and observations. Haiku, often centered on a single emotion or a specific moment in time, can capture the subtle impact of nature on the human spirit.
By using a kigo, or seasonal word, poets can anchor their poems in a particular season. This provides context and deepening the emotional resonance of the poem. For example, the word “iris” can evoke spring’s fleeting beauty. “Crickets” might conjure the quiet, introspective feeling of autumn nights. These kigo not only set the scene but enhance the mood. They allow poets to explore how morning mist might bring a sense of calm or how a stormy sky could mirror inner turmoil. The concise nature of haiku encourages poets to distill these complex experiences into a few vivid lines. It makes the poem a powerful reflection of the external environment and internal emotions. New poets can learn to observe the world around them and express their emotional responses with clarity and depth.
Haiku poetry, rooted in the teachings of Basho, offers a unique lens through which we can appreciate the world and our place within it. By capturing singular moments and emotions, haiku distills fleeting experiences. This form allows poets to express the subtle impacts of the environment on their thoughts. It encourages mindfulness and a connection to the world around them. Basho’s emphasis on simplicity, humility, and the appreciation of life’s impermanence continues to inspire poets to find inspiration in the ordinary. Through haiku, readers and poets alike see the delicate balance existing around us.
SCIFAIKU
love's guiding beacon wind carries song of change peaceful solitude
As a poet, there are times when the poems tumble from your fingers. This literary poem speaks of letting love guide you to change and the peace you might feel with this decision. The poem is by Wendy Van Camp and was originally published in “Anaheim Poetry Review #2.”
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
WorldCon
Glasgow, Scotland
Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and the connected Crowne Plaza Hotel
August 8th – 12th
To attend either in-person or virtually, you need to register at the website.
https://glasgow2024.org/
I will be exhibiting my poetry art in the WorldCon Art Show as well as appearing as a speaker on various panels. Please stop by the Art Show reception for a chat by my panel.
Solo Event:
Table Talk (Kaffeeklatch) - Wendy Van Camp
Saturday, August 10, 2024, 10:00 AM GMT+1
Come to Hall 4 and gather around a table with Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp. We’ll all have a lovely conversation!
Panels:
The Art of the Interview
Panelists: Randee Dawn, Adrian M. Gibson, Janet Forbes, Scott Edelman, Wendy Van Camp
Topic: Podcasting and Radio (in-person only)
Introduction to Genre Poetry
Panelists: Ian Hunter, Terese M. Pierre, Mari Ness, Sultana Raza, Wendy Van Camp
Topic: Literature (hybrid)
Speculative Poetry Jam
Panelists: Brandon O'Brien, Casey Lucas, Geoffrey A. Landis, Julia Rios, Kim Whysall-Hammond, Sultana Raza, Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li, Wendy Van Camp, Yilin Wang
Topic: Reading (Hybrid)
Near, Far, Whenever You Are
Panelists: Wendy Van Camp, Alan Smale He, Catriona Silvey, Jake Casella Brookins, Kelli Fitzpatrick
Topic: Literature (online only)
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Indie Author Magazine #39
https://indieauthormagazine.com
My essay, “From Waves to Words: Tools for Writing by the Sea”, is about how to set yourself up for success when writing at the beach. I'll cover tools, sunscreen, and more. IAM offers both a print version or an ebook/pdf version on their website. I hope you'll either pick up a copy or subscribe to the magazine.
The July 2024 issue of Indie Author Magazine explores the expansive world of translations and global reach for indie authors. The featured writer is Pierre Alex Jeanty.
Self-Editing Techniques to Polish your Novel
https://medium.com/@wvancamp/self-editing-techniques-to-polish-your-novel-453c29e4a25c
As a writing coach I often mentor new authors in methods to self-edit their novels. These are a few steps I point out to clients, but it is only part of what I offer when I coach.
PODCASTS
Write Now with Scrivener
https://podcast.scrivenerapp.com/40
In Write Now with Scrivener, journalist Kirk McElhearn talks to writers about how they write, how they develop their ideas, and how Scrivener fits into their writing process.
Writers Not Writing
https://bit.ly/WNWHome
On this episode, Benjamin Gorman gabs with Wendy Van Camp, author of “The Planets: a scifaiku poetry collection”, "The Curate's Brother" and Poet Laureate Emerita of Anaheim, about jalapeños, colonizing Mars, and Twain the whale.
Poets Cafe
Hosted by Wendy Van Camp
Broadcast on KPFK Radio 90.7 FM Los Angeles
Aired: July 17th, 2024
Soundcloud Archive: https://soundcloud.com/poetscafe
Louisiana Poet Laureate Emerita Mona Lisa Saloy is interviewed by Wendy Van Camp.
Writing Coach Services Open!
I’m pleased to announce I have opened my consultation service at Indigoskye Press. I offer single hour coaching via google meet or in the lobby of my Second Life Store via avatar, your choice. 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.
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 - 4
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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