blog.SoupKitchenWriting

Sit In On a Workshop!

2012-02-06T07:14:50Z

If you haven't had a chance to take one of my workshops yet - now is your chance! The following video gives a good flavor of what's in store when you join me:

Anne Randolph Writing Workshop

As you will see, it is a mixed bag of participants - everyone is welcome! So keep an eye on the schedule on my website, or better yet, follow me on Facebook - I post writing tips, class schedules, workshop info and other useful information for writers! AnneRandolphWritingCoach

See you online!

And The Oscar Goes To...

2012-01-27T05:58:16Z

Oscar Nominations were announced this week, and some of the most interesting and diverse categories are always Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. This year’s nominees in these categories include Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), George Clooney (The Ides of March) and Michael Hazanavicius (for The Artist, a silent film - curious).

If you could adapt any writer’s work for a screenplay, who and what would it be? Emma Thompson chose Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility to great acclaim, noted director John Huston adapted Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, and Joel and Ethan Cohen took a stab at adapting Homer’s The Odyssey for the big screen. What would you choose? Share your comments before Oscar night!

I Have A Dream

2012-01-16T07:52:52Z

Today we celebrate the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. One of his most inspirational speeches follows here. It is well worth taking the time to read it again. What is the most inspirational thing you have ever read?

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

A New Start

2012-01-03T04:43:25Z

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice,

And to make an end is to make a beginning. – T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

As we ring in a new year, there is, of course, a lot of talk about New Year’s Resolutions. You can talk about whether or not to make them in the first place, how to find the resolve to stick to them, or even how long you think it will take before you break them. If you do have a list of resolutions, write it down! Writing something down gives it greater significance (and also makes it harder to ignore!).

Whether you make resolutions or not, a new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. You can start a new writing project, or breathe new life into a long-forgotten work. Who knows, 2012 might be the year you get that novel published! Write on!

A Fresh Perspective

2011-12-19T04:59:36Z

Like many writers, you are probably your own harshest critic, which may prevent you from reaching your full potential as an artist. But whether you’re critiquing your writing, your time management skills, or fretting over a recent interaction with someone it’s always good to keep some perspective. As the sign says, “… one hundred years from now, all new people.” This is a great philosophy to use to keep from holding yourself back. While you may want your finished piece of writing to last through the ages, every decision you make in creating a piece will not be around forever. So just let go and see what flows from your pen. Try this exercise: Write for ten minutes about a recent decision you regret. Now read it back and ask yourself – will this matter in ten years, twenty, or a hundred? Then give yourself a break and let it go!

Great Expectations

2011-12-12T06:21:41Z

The holidays can be a time of joy, nostalgia, big celebrations and even bigger expectations. The only problem with expectations is that they can often go unmet. Many people have a very clear picture in mind of what the holidays should be, and when things don’t go as envisioned – well, that’s when things can get interesting. Think about a time when your expectations were dashed – how did you feel, and how did those around you treat you? Did they even know what your expectations were?

Unmet expectations can be used to create conflict in your writing. When the expectations of a main character are not met, how do your other characters react? Are they sympathetic, indifferent, scornful? Draw from your own experiences to give life to this conflict. Try this exercise – write for 10 minutes about the following:

One year during the holidays, I expected to get _______, but instead received _________. Let me know what you come up with!

Got Leftovers?

2011-11-28T04:19:39Z

What to do with all of those leftovers? An American tradition almost as deeply-entrenched as Thanksgiving itself is finding creative ways to use that leftover turkey! From soup to enchiladas, to sandwiches and casseroles, just about anything goes!

Do you have any writing “leftovers” that you don’t know what to do with? Pull out those pieces that you wrote a while back, but haven’t edited or finished yet. You may want to rewrite some of this work to give it a new perspective. And now that some time has passed, you may have some unique insights into where these pieces fit into your body of work! This is also a great opportunity to see how your writing style has evolved over time. Let me know if you find a great use for your leftovers - post your comments!

Express Your Gratitude!

2011-11-21T07:51:12Z

You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink. --G.K. Chesterton

As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, how do you express your gratitude? Take some time to write about it! Use this day as an excuse to write to - or about - those people to whom you are grateful. You will probably be surprised at how many people there are that you want to thank. Write about the specific action you are thankful for and how it helped you. Did it change the course of your life; solve a problem that you couldn't solve on your own; or was it a simple act of kindness on a difficult day? I'd love for you to share your stories of gratitude with me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Smell of Success?

2011-11-07T05:02:38Z

It was reported earlier this year that designer and noted bibliophile Karl Lagerfeld was creating a perfume that smells of books. This is reportedly his response to the digital age of publishing, in which the smell of ink on paper is becoming more and more rare. Of course, the sense of smell is one of the most powerful when it comes to eliciting powerful memories. Using descriptions of smells can be a great way to draw forth strong emotions in your writing, and therefore in your readers. Smells can instantly transport you to a different time and place. What smells can you think of that have that effect on you? Write on this for ten minutes, and see where it takes you. I'd love to read your pages as well!

Create Your Own Masterpiece!

2011-10-31T05:09:31Z

Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting, Girl With A Pearl Earring, inspired a book by the same name by contemporary author Tracy Chevalier. Creating her own version of the circumstances surrounding the painting of this masterpiece, Chevalier's book was a literary sensation. Your exercise for this week is to select a piece of art and free write about it for 15 minutes – no more, no less. Who knows, this could become the basis of your next novel! I would love to read what you come up with! Send me your pages at AnneRandolph@KitchenTableWriting.com

What Would You Ask?

2011-10-24T03:28:23Z

Terry Pratchett

A good friend of mine who lives in Seattle recently bought tickets to a presentation by author Terry Pratchett, who was discussing his latest book, “Snuff.” The hall, which holds 900 people, was packed to the rafters! It is encouraging that readers will still come out to hear authors talk about their work. And as writers, it is so inspiring to hear first-hand about an author’s process, writing ritual, character development and more. If you could see any author in person, who would it be, and what question would you ask them? Comments welcome!

Write From The Heart

2011-10-08T21:54:38Z

When someone you’re talking with is really passionate about something, you can see a gleam in their eye. When you’re writing about something you are passionate about, your readers need to “see that gleam” in your writing. I find that the best way to share my passion is to make sure I am writing about something I really care about. It will shine through in your writing and the reader will feel a real connection to you. It all goes back to being authentic. It will be obvious in your writing if you don’t really care about your subject matter. What are you passionate about? Write about it, and please feel free to share your comments here!

Live Your Dream

2011-10-03T05:44:08Z

The popular blog Married With Luggage details the lives of a 40-year-old Seattle couple who, one year ago, sold everything they owned and began a three-year journey around the world. Imagine the great experiences they will have to write about when they write their life stories! They have done what many of us never do, and that is go after their dreams, instead of just thinking about them. What is your dream, and what would it take to achieve it? I bet it is more attainable than you think. Often,the first step towards achieving a goal is WRITING about it! So, as a writing exercise for this week, write about your dream (you know, the really big one, not the one about having organized closets). I would love for you to share your dreams on my blog, if you would care to share them! Keep dreaming!

Books As Part of Our Lives

2011-09-26T02:17:15Z

For years, libraries have been holding used book sales as fundraisers. Bibliophiles still flock to these events to find hidden treasures, but how will the ever-widening availability of free e-books from libraries impact this significant source of income? Will people always crave the tactile act of holding a book and turning its pages, or will this become a thing of the past as younger generations grow up with e-readers?

What is the first book you remember reading on your own? Think back to how you felt about that accomplishment and write about it! It is always good to reflect back on successes, no matter how long ago they occurred! Feel free to share your comments here.

Writing About Life-Changing Moments

2011-09-12T05:08:23Z

Today as we mark the anniversary of 9-11, we reflect on many things – courage, sacrifice, patriotism. So many lives were changed forever on that day ten years ago.

We have all experienced life-changing moments. Have you written about yours yet? It is a critical piece of your life story and must be included, but where to begin? Start with the basics – where you were, who you were with, what day and time was it? But then turn to the details –they will help flesh out your story and give it depth. What color was the sky, what was the weather like, what were you wearing, what emotions were you feeling? Take yourself back to that moment and include every detail you can think of.

Including these specifics in your life story will make it more real. Readers will connect with your honesty and feel that you have really shared with them. I’d love to hear how your writing is going, and if these tips are helpful. Please leave me a comment and let me know!

Tips on Writing Fiction

2011-09-04T20:34:36Z

I wrote a recent response to comments on novel and developed this list of things about writing fiction that I know. Thought these might be useful to share.

What do you know specifically about writing fiction that can guide your work?

These things I have learned about writing fiction.

I know not to lay the subtext on the surface, but in an attempt to make the wants of characters clear.

I know to attach a scene or story to a specific POV, rather than wander aimlessly from person to person, and point to point.

I know that there is a progression of cause and effect. That one incident or relationship leads to and influences or alters the next.

I know to motivate and develop character by having him change from each experience, relationship, incident and scene, leading to an ultimate change.

I know that "fixing" the material is not enough to flesh out a scene, but that a scene becomes better if it is rewritten from a blank page, hopefully solving systemic issues in the work.

I know to create characters and story lines that are not stereotypical, condescending, patronizing, melodramatic, or obvious.

I know that the story needs a writer and will not get written without moving the pen or touching the keyboard.

So let's all get back to work.

FB@AnneRandolph-WritingCoach-KtchenTableWriting

LET THE ENERGY INCUBATE!

2011-08-29T20:18:00Z

One Write at Home writer wrote that after writing in the morning it is difficult to get back into the writing in the afternoon.
Below is my response.
Once we have visited the writing zone,
it may be time to do something else.
Let the energy incubate.

To have days that don’t flow is natural. My suggestion is on those days to type your work into the computer. I also suggest typing your work in the afternoon. The sooner you do it the easier to remember things you can’t read. (I have handwriting challenge and often can’t read my material, so I know the experience.)

If you are writing regularly in the morning, don’t worry about getting back into it in the afternoon. You have done your stint. Congratulate yourself. I will for you.

Bravo! Anne

Back To School

2011-08-29T05:15:54Z

With Labor Day coming up, we prepare for the end of summer. Are you one of those people who can’t wait for summer to be over, or are you sad to see it go? Fall is a time for new beginnings. Celebrate the new season and jumpstart your creativity with some start lines tailor made for this time of year:

I always looked forward to (or dreaded) the first day of school because…

I had heard the stories about what was inside that old gym locker, but I couldn’t believe it when I saw…

Shopping for school clothes with my mom…

Raking leaves always takes me back to the time when…

Write a paragraph or two (or a few pages) using the start lines above to get you going. Do you remember doing writing assignments in school? Did you like writing, even then? What teacher had the greatest influence on your creative development? Please share your comments with the rest of the class!

New Technology: THE BOOK!

2011-08-24T20:18:27Z

Check out this video. A new invention: THE BOOK!

It's in French, but you'll understand. Any thoughts about this innovative invention?

Click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_uaI28LGJk&feature=youtu.be

click: THE BOOK!

BONUS:
Become a FAN, click "LIKE" at FB@AnneRandolph-Writing Coach and get
$10 off your next writing workshop. Make a comment, or comments,
$5 off for each comment.

OFFER GOOD THRU SEPT 1, 2011.

Questions: AnneRandolph@KitchenTableWriting.com

Driven To Distraction?

2011-08-21T22:54:32Z

“The Help” has been a major bestseller by first-time novelist Kathryn Stockett. In a recent interview, Ms. Stockett mentions that a mockingbird has been squawking outside her window for a year “and is the No. 1 reason I can’t finish my second book. I moved my office to the other side of the house to get away from it, and it followed me. Mockingbirds mock; right now it thinks it’s a cat. It’s mewing and driving me crazy. Ms. Lee, I disagree.”

What distracts you when you are trying to write, and what do you to overcome it? Remember to revert to your tried and true writing rituals. These will help you to focus.