blog.SoupKitchenWriting

GEEZER-LIT creator Mike Befeler

2010-02-19T17:05:00Z

Mike Befeler mystery novels prove that getting old can be murder
Article by Denver Authors ExaminerEd Hickok Feb 18, 2010

Local Denver author, Mike Befeler, created his own genre, ‘Geezer-lit,’ and has published two books that show how life may begin at sixty, but so can murder. Retirement Homes Are Murder (2007) and
Living With Your Kids Is Murder (2009) are both part of the Five Star Mystery Series. Living With Your Kids Is Murder is a finalist for the Lefty Award for the most humorous mystery novel published in 2009.

Befeler said, “I started looking ahead to what I wanted to do when I retired. In 2001, at the age of 56, I made the decision to pursue fiction writing. I sold my first novel in 2005 as the result of a pitch session at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference.”

Befeler strives to do more than simply publish books. He wants to promote a positive image of aging. He said, “I have a presentation titled Aging and Other Minor Inconveniences that I give at retirement homes and service organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, and Optimist. I'm always willing to speak to groups along the Front Range.”

Befeler described the manuscript he is currently working on. “Imagine Dirk Pitt morphed into a retired mathematics professor and conspiracy nut with a butt-kicking, surrogate-daughter sidekick. Elmore Kranz bombards the police with his predictions of disaster until one of them actually happens, to the point that he’s implicated in the plot. Even with the assistance of his one ally, rookie cop Britney Chase, people start dying around Elmore as attempts are made on his life. Elmore and Brittney team up to solve a hundred year old puzzle while thwarting a secret government agency and an Afghani terrorist group trying to get their hands on a doomsday weapon.”

But isn’t that everyone’s idea of a cozy retirement?

Befeler’s advice to new authors: “Start writing and keep doing it. I meet so many people who have stories to tell but never sit down to start. Others start and get discouraged. You need to develop sound writing skills and be willing to learn, but beyond that, successful writing is 90% perseverance.”

Befeler’s novels can be purchased at: Amazon.com

Fans can visit the Befeler’s website at http://www.mikebefeler.com

GOT A BOOK IN YOU?

2010-02-16T15:06:00Z

DR. JUDITH BRILES presents AUTHOR U (University) BOOT CAMP
Sat Feb 27 8:30-4:30

spedial rate $89 for KitchenTableWriters

Red Lion Inn, HW I-70 and Quebec
MUST contact Judith@Briles.com or call 303-885-2207 for $89 rate by Sat Feb 20

Authoring, Promoting, and Selling Your Book takes a swarm of ideas and team of

people to execute it -- at the head of the list is YOU! Inthis intensive, full all-day Boot Camp,

your head will swirl with theideas that you will learn and embrace.

Workbooks and lunch included.You have 4 dynamic workshops with 4 dynamic presenters.

Packedwith information with everything from creating a viable PR strategy,branding and product development,

technology ideas that are free ordownright cheap, sales tactics positions to maximize your success, andhow to maximize your presence on the Internet--this is the place to beon Saturday, February 27th. Bring your lap top!

What You Will Learn
· How to guarantee that You and Your Book are found on the Internet.
· Create an Amazon Best-Seller champagne.
· How to resurrect an "old" book.
· How to create a snazzy You Tube presence.
· How to use webinars to promote your brand.
· How to write a media release that works.
· How to create a speech that people will pay to hear.
· Super savvy PR promotion that you orchestrate.
· 5 mistakes to avoid in creating a webinar.
· How to get on radio and TV today.
· How to expand your platform and sell more books.

· How to really make money with your book.
· Review the major uses AND abuses of webinars.
· Give you the steps necessary for a Great Webinar.
· How to be on You Tube in minutes.
· The latest in website gadgets
· 3 things NEVER TO DO in publicity.
· 5 must-haves in your book PR pitch.

Your Faculty: Dr. Judith Briles Author of 26 books!

Heather Lutze The Findability Formula:The Easy Approach to Search Engine Marketing

Kimberly Field Publicity Guru, knows publicityfrom both sides of the camera.

Kelly Johnsonof Cornerstone Virtual Assistance.

Mike Zabiniski co-founder TheWebinar Mentor.

Cathie Beck award-winning journalist

===================================================================

AND FOR YOUR OWN WRITING:

Join me.

Kitchen Table Writing begins this Thurs PM.
Write Your Life Story Tues and Wed AM

Do Morning Pages count?

2010-02-07T16:23:00Z

One writer who is traveling emailed me regret that she were not writing while she was away. Yet she was doing
"Morning Pages" every day. Here is my response.

"Morning Pages is indeed writing, and reading, camellias, watercolor, concerts, produce markets are all fantastic ways to rejuvenate. I am delighted that your time away is working so well. These adventures sound fantastic."

Here are a few writing suggestions that coincide with these glorious moments.

To rejuvenate I....

When I am refreshed I...

I am surprised at how...

Flowers and the ocean....

To travel is to...

Try a few of these start lines and email them to me for an award.

info@KitchenTableWriting.com AnneRandolph@comcast.net
www.KitchenTableWriting.com

20 MINUTES DELIGHT

2010-02-05T20:21:00Z

And this from a Wednesday Morning Writer on a20 Minute Writing Practice

20 MINUTES DELIGHT: How long is a moment?

"To write and to continue to write and 20 minutes feels like a damned long time & my hand is cramping. Not used to writing so long without a break. My hand would like a rest. I would like some coffee. I want to stop. How long has it been?

Anyway, I came from home to come to a writing class to be encouraged to allow the free flow of my thoughts to make me sit down and write and I am doing that right now and though my hand hurts and I have a cold and I don’t know how much longer till the 20 minutes is up and I know I enjoy writing & that this is what I want to be doing, can I get myself to do this on my own? Is it kosher to stop for coffee? It is my class - but will I miss the moment - the thought if I break the flow? I don’t know. Back to I don’t know and I wonder if I am lying to myself when I say/think/feel I don’t know.

Where did I come from? Where am I going? I came from what? I am lost now. Don’t know where to go from here.

I came from my thoughts. I keep trying to judge what I’m writing. Hasn’t stopped me, but I’m trying. I’m getting restless. Wish I’d track the time so I would know how much longer? Is it better to know how much longer or is it better to not know? If I knew would I be watching the clock impatiently or would I be relieved by how quickly the time is going? Or in a panic that the time is passing me by & I haven’t found the “genius” that I know is within me. Have I found the genius & missed it? Would I recognize her if I saw her?

Do I have to write so fast? That I say, yes I do - unless I stop to think about what I am writing I write fast and sloppy that’s just the way I do it and I don’t think I’m inclined to change that. The only benefit to slowing down is maybe my hand won’t cramp so much, though now it’s not doing so badly. I feel like I’m doing morning papers again and I’ve almost done three pages.

Well I have done 3 pages. We have been told a moment longer. Relief, blessing, Amen. How long though is a moment? Seems longer than how I would define it. How do I capture thoughts that go out in front of my writing. I’m done."

Susan Firman
Wednesday Writing
February 2010

CLAIM ZING FOR 2010: Ease Back into the Flow

2010-01-11T13:37:00Z

A creativity colleague of mine shared insights for New Year writing that I thought were great. Here's what she said.

Ease Back into the Flow
You may be filled with inspiration and ideas for your most creative 2010. Or you may have no clue what you really want to do, and need some time to make a graceful transition from party mode to work mode.

One step at a time
Here's a course of action that will allow you to ease back gently into your creative flow.

Give yourself a break. Don't feel that you need to have everything figured out and planned for the New Year. I let myself off the hook for having to have a brilliant plan for the entire year mapped out. I have the first steps, and that's enough to get me back in the swing of things.

What's done is done. Let the eggnog, the holiday cookies and the times you blew everything off float away on the ether of the past. You enjoyed it then and now you may be ready to return to a humbler lifestyle. Regrets seem to add weight to the spirit, so let go of any guilt about overindulging.

Relish the break. Notice how good the time you spent relaxing feels. We need slack time to regenerate our creativity.

Revive your practices that slipped away during the holidays. Gently bring back your healthy habits. I'm easing back onto the yoga mat, relishing my daily walks and looking forward to more kickboxing classes.

Take it easy. Let your return be as slow as it needs to, but be firm with yourself about getting back to your writing and creative pursuits. Build up slowly, if needed. Start with brief (10 minute) free writes. Take time to clear away any clutter that has accumulated. Both practices can help you to resume your creative path.

Connect to the love. What do you love about your writing practice, your exercise regime? You may take a few moments to jot down what you love about it. If you have already done this writing, take it out and revisit your passion.

Refresh your faith. You will get back on the exercise treadmill. You will revive your love for green vegetables. You will come back to your writing practice.

Set up structures that help. There's an overabundance of things to do, and simple structures can help. Make dates with your writing buddies, schedule time into your calendar, and break down projects into simple task lists. I like the to dodlist's simple method that helps tackle projects one action step at a time.

What helps you transition from holiday time to the new year? Drop a comment on the Original Impulse blog, or email me.

Copyright 2009 Cynthia Morris. Cynthia coaches creative people to confidence and completion and inspires life as a creative adventure. Visit www.originalimpulse.com to get an infusion of inspiration for your art, writing and life.

GET BACK TO WRITING Thurs PM Jan 14, 21, 29 at www.KitchenTableWriting.com
or WRITE YOUR LIFE Tues and/or Wed AM Begins in January, 2010 www.WriteYourLifeStory.org Join us!
RSVP AnneRandolph@comcast.net

REWRITE MEANS "to tell again"

2009-12-19T15:35:00Z

In one of my workshops a writer was concerned that the same story that was written a year ago was written again.

RETELLING THE SAME STORY IS AN IMPORTANT WAY TO REWRITE Thus the RE in rewrite.

A part of editing is to retell and rewrite stories from the blank page, several times in fact. This way we deepen our writing and we know what story has great significance. We always come up with lines and details that can be added to the final copy. Don't worry about feeling concerned about repeating stories. This is a part of the process. Holiday food captures our culture. I gave the same prompt and this often elicits similar stories. I have written the same incidents many times, meaning this moment is important.

Try this prompt: Relate a crisis at a holiday meal, include details of the food and details of how folks felt about and dealt with the conflict.
Put emotions into action.

Email me your writing for a prize. info@KitchenTableWriting.com HAVE A DELICIOUS HOLIDAY!

LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

2009-11-21T15:57:00Z

See sample of this delightful new Broadway play and book.

LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE on Broadway.
Book by Ilene Beckerman, script by Nora and Delia Ephron (Your Got Mail, Julie and Julia)

Click link to view an excerpt SEE VIDEO Interview with Nora and Delia Ephron

CLICK TO WATCH CLIP: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE

Think about important moment and what you wore. How did you feel. What was the conflict
Write about it.
(Send me a copy for a Holiday prize) info@KitchenTableWriting.com

==================================================================================
Writing Workshops at Highlands United Methodist Church

Join Anne Randolph's Writing Workshop at Highlands United Methodist Church

"Ways of Knowing" Series

December 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Write Your Own Christmas Story:
Past, Present & Future
Explore the meaning of the holidays in light of your own life story.
Facilitator Anne Randolph will provide writing prompts and guidance
to get the creative juices flowing. Anne is the creator of
Soup Kitchen Writing and www.WriteYourLifeStory.org

The workshops takes place on Tuesday evening Dec 8, 6:30-9:00 in the historic
Highlands United Methodist Church building
on the corner of West 32nd Avenue and Osceola Street.
The cost is $5 per person. Childcare is provided.

CONTACT: Anne Randolph for reservation AnneRandolph@comcast.net
Rev. Dr. Betty Bradford, Senior Pastor
Highlands United Methodist Church
303-477-5857 www.highlandsumc.com

Magic at 1st Book Lover's Salon

2009-10-01T14:54:00Z

The WriteYourLifeStory group presented ME! in our 1st Book Lover's Salon last night. What a magical evening. How wonderful for my writing to be listened to, appreciated, admired. I am euphoric. A warm and receptive audience of over 25 folks listened to the opening of the 1st 3 chapters of my "soontobecompleted" novel, THE SWEET NOT ENOUGH, set in Alabama, 1948.

What a privilege to have supportive friends. Thanks for listening and laughing and crying and for being with us. Much care, Anne
www.WriteYourLifeStory.org

Great quotes from Kitchen Table Writers.

"The mostwonderful work just pops out of my pen when I work from Anne's prompts,
in the trusting, supportive atmosphere she creates." Mysti Berry, San Francisco

Last night was wonderful. Listening to you read was joyous....I don't know how else to describe it!
Writing with Anne stirs, stirs, stirs the pot.
When I'm done for the evening I feel more creative, confident and alive! Lisa Eastin, Attorney

CONFLICT/ACTION/RESOLUTION

2009-08-28T20:09:00Z

The only way to hold a reader or publisher and to keep the pages turning is to use conflict and resolution every beat of the scene. This means that a character wants something and there is something in the way of their getting their need met.

Conflict is important to define the arc of a story, BUT conflict must be on every page, or at least every page and a half. The way to find conflict is to review each step of action per page and define NEED, WANT, OBSTACLE, ACTION, and define HOW THIS CONFLICT IS RESOLVED. To resolve conflict one force wins and another force looses.

Aristotle defined the concept, giving us 2000 years of writing that works!

EXERCISE TO FIND CONFLICT:

Make a list of wants for each character in each scene.

What is their intention/agenda when they enter the scene?

What is their obstacle, what stands in their way?

How is this conflict resolved?

How does this resolution lead into the scene that follows?

Analyze each beat, each moment in your scenes using the chart below. Try this for at least one scene. I challenge you to complete this chart for each scene in an entire chapter. (I make a copy of this chart and insert it with each scene in my manuscript. If there is no answer, you have found an area to work. Send me your results. AnneRandolph@KitchenTableWriting.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCENE:                TIME:                PLACE:

CHARACTER       NEED


       WANT


CHARACTER       NEED


       WANT


OBSTACLE



CONFLICT


ACTION


RESOLUTION


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All rights reserved   2009                                                          Reproduce only with permission from Anne Randolph
www.KitchenTableWriting.com                                    www.AnneRandolph.com    info@KitchenTableWriting.com

Let's Get Back to Fresh Writing

2009-08-20T20:25:00Z

All we need for our writing is TO GET GOING.   It is easy to sit down in the chair when you write with START LINE.
Here are a few suggestions for 10 to 20 minutes segments. Comment or email me your results and receive an award.
info@SoupKitchenWriting.com

    “Write first always!” Henry Miller

Try these start lines to ignite your writing. Begin with one of these openers.
Enjoy! Ignore, or create your own!

The Trick: Repeat the start line until ideas starts churning. Write whatever comes out of
your pen. Allow yourself to say anything, from your "grocery list" to "I’m darn made at ..."

Write 10 minutes or three pages. If you get stuck, repeat the start line.

One writer surprised at his reaction to his writing exclaimed, “It’s the pen’s fault!”
Try timed writing.   Set a timer for at least 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 45 minutes. When the
buzzer goes off, give myself a few minutes to complete your work. With timed writing, your
body adjusts to the time, giving you a natural beginning, middle and end.

Tell yourself to “wrap up” and your body will cap your time with a great closing line. Let the pen lead!

1.    Begin with these Opening Lines:

“If it wasn’t for...”
“If only...”
“What I really mean is...”

2.    Try writing by subjects: My Grandmother's Closet, Cherries, My Most Embracing Moment.

3.    Read what you wrote aloud. Mark the images that moved you.

4.    Write everyday and watch your material grow!

Click comments or info@AnneRandolph.com.

BIO: After work as director of two opera companies and the Colorado Symphony, Anne Randolph
writes full time and leads Soup Kitchen Writing and www.WriteYourLifeStory.org workshops in
Denver and at conferences including the Screenwriters Conference in Santa Fe. “Soup Kitchen
Writing helps writers find the courage and craft to create!” Her workbook, Soup Kitchen
Writing: An Easy Guide to Kitchen Table Writing available at www.AnneRandolph.com

Take a trip into History or Fantasy at Book Signing

2009-08-07T09:21:00Z

The Montblanc Boutique and Anne Randolph, founder of www.KitchenTableWriting.com present monthly Montblanc Authors Series and book signing featuring provocative writers exploring Creativity, Finance, Relationships, Writing and Fiction from
August 2009 through March 2010, followed by Writing Workshop with Anne Randolph.

Meet award-winning Women’s Fiction, Historical and Fantasy Romance authors and learn about the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers September Conference at the new Boutique Montblanc Authors Series, August 20, 5:30-7:30 at Boutique Montblanc Denver in Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Book signing is free and open to the public.

Join Janet Lane, author of historical romantic adventures, Emerald Silk and Tabors Trinket, Pamela Nowak, author of Willa Award and HOLT Medallion, Denver based Chances and Choices, and renowned futuristic Rita Award Winner Robin D. Owens, author of Heart and Summoning series. Learn about Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Sept Conference.

Special bonus: Join
Anne Randolph, creator of Kitchen Table Writing, for a workshop exploring creativity beginning at 6:15 pm, August 20. RSVP workshop info@KitchenTableWriting.com 303-758-3426. http://shop.AnneRandolph.com

Writing on Vacation

2009-08-06T14:59:00Z

Traveling in the summer? It may seem challenging to maintain an "write each day" commitment with travel or during vacation time. Go ahead, commit to write at least a sentence a day. More is even better. Try these Opening Lines:

I’m so grateful that...

I really love and support...

To do what I want to do I need to...

I really want to write about...

Remember: It is great that you are writing regularly. Congratulate yourself.

Write on and have terrific travels and vacation!
www.KitchenTableWriting.com

STRCUTURE YOUR STORY for Novel or Short Story or Flash Fiction

2009-07-31T12:57:00Z

You have pages of writing and want to shape your short story or novel. Here are some steps to look at the total work.
Are you doing what you set out to do? Do you need to discover what you set out to do?

Follow this 4 week series to construct, structure, and organize your work.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR NOVEL?
Answer each of these questions with several paragraphs of free writing.

STRUCTURE OF YOUR STORY

I AM WRITING A STORY ABOUT_______________________________

ACT ONE opens when __________________________________________

ACT ONE ends when ___________________________________________

ACT II opens in a scene called____________________________________

ACT II ends when ______________________________________________

ACT III opens when ____________________________________________

WHAT IS THE MAJOR CHARACTER CHANGE _________________________________

My story climax is a scene called_________________________________________

This is what happens___________________________________________________

My story ends with this final image_______________________________________

This image works in my novel because_____________________________________

Send me your answers for a prize. info@KitchenTableWriting.com

www.KitchenTableWriting.com www.AnneRandolph.com

Tips to Brilliant Editing

2009-06-11T18:09:00Z

Step One: Reread the entire work to glean what you are actually trying to say.

Step Two: Make index cards for each scene to sort out structure.

Step Three: Know your characters thoroughly from Karen Reddick, The Red Pen Editor, author of Grammar Done Right

Step Four: Evaluate your structure.

Are there continued high points and challenges that accelerate every 2 pages forcing the main character to change?

Got any more suggestions. www.WriteYourLifeStory.org info@SoupKitchenWriting.com

Editing Your Work

2009-06-07T17:49:00Z

Just back from teaching in Santa Fe at the Screenwriting Conference. My workshops were at 7:00 AM! I get good person credit for early hour creating. Now is time to get back into Editing. Here is the beginning of a few good 1st steps to get going again.

One step to brilliant editing is to reread the entire work to gleam what we are actually saying (or trying to say.)

Step two: make index cards for each scene to sort out structure. Got any more suggestions. www.KitchenTableWriting.com

Pitching Your Screenplay

2009-05-19T13:32:00Z

With the Screenwriters Conference in Santa Fe coming up next week, here are a few notes on how to present your script and to organize a pitch to Producers. Hope some of you can join us the end of May.

To present a Pitch you need 3-4 Presentation Materials. Each takes a good amount of time to put together. Present the Logline, Leave Behind, Synopsis or Treatment of your story idea.

1.    Logline: One (or two) sentence description of the story (Think blurb in TV Guide or film poster)

2.    Leave Behind: One page sheet with your logline with all your contact information. You can include bulleted information about yourself—awards, publications

3.    One Page synopsis: Introduce time, place, characters, the dilemma of the story, and the basic conflicts.

4.    In addition to this, you can write a Treatment of the story, which is a 3-4 page synopsis of the actual conflict and action of the story.

Even if your story idea is interesting and has potential, the manuscript must be ready to present. If it is filled with basic errors such as first letter capitalizations of character names, omitted punctuation, periods and commas, make all these corrections before anyone reads it.

The material has to be perfect to be presented.

Basic formatting rules must be followed. Novice errors often hasbasic film script violations. The greatest is telling the actor how to deliver a line. The second is saying that someone is going to say something, example “Brodwick goes on to say, excitedly.”

A 50 min TV film has a 5 Act Structure which therefore allows for commercial breaks. To catch a producer and audience imagination, create a title that gives a colorful image for the story.

All drama is based on conflict. There must be conflict on every page and a major conflict and resolution in every scene. Study Sid Fields’ Screenplay and The Screenwriter’s Workbook. For formatting and basic screenwriting techniques study The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier. Also Linda Segar’s Make a Good Script Great.

Contact me at info@SoupKitchenWriting for more tips. Anne

Best Screenwriting Training in the Country!

2009-05-05T12:22:00Z

SAVE $300!
ScreenWriters Conference in Santa Fe
May 26-31 at The Lodge in Santa Fe
Screenwriting workshops with Mentors
plus Hollywood Connection Weekend to pitch your story!
Join Anne Randolph for Writer's Warm-Up! each morning

"Stands out from other conferences by focusing on craft."

Christopher Vogler - The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers

Muse Management or Ten Ideas for Kicking Your Psyche to the Curb

2009-04-20T03:40:00Z

Check out this blog for Happy Endlings which mentioned Soup Kitchen Table Writing as a way to jump start your work. Look at #9. Thanks folks for the endorsement. We write on Tues and Wed mornings and Thursday evenings in April. Join us. www.SoupKitchenWriting.com   Anne

9. Janet Lane from my Kaizen Support Group started participating in a process this year called Soup Writing. She swears by it now and I admit I'm intrigued by the idea. Essentially, you meet with other writers, make soup (or a meal) then a inspiration thought or writing prompt is shared and you spend the evening writing new material. The creator of Soup Kitchen Writing is Anne Randolph. She has a book out called Soup Kitchen Writing and a website: www.annerandolph.com/SOUP_KITCHEN_WRITING.html

Muse Management or Ten Ideas for Kicking Your Psyche to the Curb
Posted by pattiann colt Apr 15th, 2009 | 7 Comments

Pearl Buck once said: "I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work."

Apparently, mine frequently doesn't know how to get down to work. Because I'm still striving to beat Stephen King's 2000 word a day habit and not even coming close. Just out of curiousity sake, please take the quiz below and identify your muse management style:

When I can't get the words to flow:

A. I bang my head on the keyboard and pray the words will fall out.

B. I plug into my IPOD and go for a walk, hoping to sweat the words out.

C. I do my nails and hope inspiration will strike the words out.

D. All of the above.

I'm embarassed to admit that I'm a "D". The other day, frustrated by a lack of progress, I made a list of all the techniques I had in my arsenal for fighting a "no words" day and was surprised that I actually have something better in my toolkit than banging my head on my keyboard. Go figure.

Guess who benefits from that? You do, because of course I was smart enough to realize that this was great blog material and wrote them up for you. After all, walking around with bruises on our foreheads just ruins a good hair day.

I don't know about yours, but my psyche, muse, creative genius - whatever you want to call it - is just damn temperamental. "Sophie" - yes, she has a name - likes to do things her way and in her own time. She has to her credit one month with almost 20,000 words written. Unfortunately, on her demerits list is also one six month period without one single word written, in a snit or some such nonsense. Hence, this is why my file of ideas for managing "Sophie" is an inch thick. I've bought all the best books on the subject, surfed the net, and experimented with the ideas so you don't have to — and be thankful - one author suggested the bright idea of just sitting at your desk and not doing anything else and pretty soon you'd get bored and work. Really? This person does not know Sophie. So check out this list and see how many are in your bag of tricks. And please . . . if you have one I don't have listed . . . well, hand it over!

1. Kitchen Timer. Remember timed multiplication tests? Do they still do those or am I dating myself? This technique is a variation and you don't even have to do math. 15 minutes. Starting now. Go. Only one rule. No editing what you're writing in your head. 15 words, write as many words as you can in that time. Write those words in your work log and count it as your goal for the day. You're done. Go do your nails. I heard that huge sigh of relief.

2. Move. Away from your usual work place. Clear the dining room table. Go to the library.   Yeah, yeah, I know. "But I have an office." Yeah, me too. Move. Find a clean surface with only the notes you need to continue your story. Must be somewhere that you usually don't write. Trust me. This clears the brain and improves the focus.

3. Brainstorm. 30-40 minutes per day. Blank pad in front of you. Scribble. Some of this you may never use, but my muse likes to come out and play and many a time, this technique punches through the wall, and has rolled over into productive ideas for the current work in progress without any pain.

4. Just write. This is what I call a three hour block, one day a week where I sit and write a story that doesn't have to have a dynamite plot, or rich, friendly characters, or any brilliant writing. It's Sophie - aka my brain — putting down any words to any story I dream up. Only rule – I've promised myself no one will read this content. Ever. This last part is important. No one will read it, so it doesn't matter if the facts don't match up or in one chapter the dog is brown and now he's black, or if you just don't have any idea what you're talking about. Just write and enjoy the moment.

5. Back up the truck. You know that six months I went without writing? Took a misstep in the prior scene and it trapped me in story hell. If you find yourself avoiding your desk, avoiding this crackerjack of a story and any hint of being responsible to it, back up. Read what you wrote. Copy and paste it to a blank document, then delete it and write something else. Amazingly, it's not uncommon for many of us to paint ourselves into a corner, just don't let your muse trap you there.

6. Mental issues, er.. messages. My six months again? Yes, that's going to keep haunting me. I also noted during this time period, ummm, yeah, I was chanting 'this sucks, this sucks, this sucks' for every sentence, every paragraph, every idea. Guess what happened? Sophie took a vacation and wasn't speaking to me AT ALL. Then I realized what I was saying and changed it to 'fix it later, fix it later, fix it later'. Did she come back over night? No, but within a few days . . . check your mental messages. What are you saying to yourself as you're writing. If "fix it later" doesn't work, try "this is brilliant." Say it. Believe it. It makes a difference.

7. Clear the guilt. I have all these great goals. Then the reality of my life gets in the way, but somehow the goals never get adjusted to adapt to that reality and then I feel guilt, guilt, guilt. Makes me feel so bad that the words won't come - what's the use, I've screwed up, this isn't where I want to be. If any of that sounds familiar, try this out instead: I'm not going to feel guilty today. I'm just going to work and see where that takes me and when I get to the end of the day I will celebrate and move to the next day. Sounds hokie, but again, it works.

8. Friends. Family. Colleagues. Don't lose your connections with those who support you. I have a critique group and a support group - both of which are filled with fabulous writers who understand when things go wrong, who will chat with me and kick my . . . well, you know . . . when they think I'm slacking off, or falling into a comfort zone, or giving out too many excuses or need some hugs and support. My family nags, rewards, and hugs, too. All around, I have a support network that works for me if I only use it.

9. Janet Lane from my Kaizen Support Group started participating in a process this year called Soup Writing. She swears by it now and I admit I'm intrigued by the idea. Essentially, you meet with other writers, make soup (or a meal) then a inspiration thought or writing prompt is shared and you spend the evening writing new material. The creator of Soup Kitchen Writing is Anne Randolph. She has a book out called Soup Kitchen Writing and a website: www.annerandolph.com/SOUP_KITCHEN_WRITING.html

10. Rewards. Back a few years ago, I took Margie Lawson's Defeat Self-Defeating Behavior course. Margie's big on rewards. When things go your way, reward yourself. When things don't go your way, reward yourself for trying. Took me awhile to get on board with this, because well, most of the things I want are books and reading time and I buy my books and take my reading time no matter what. Encouraged by my friends in my Kaizen Support Group, I've shamelessly borrowed things they use as rewards - pedicures, movie nights, glass of wine, and use them lavishly. Sometimes I even reward myself BEFORE I meet my objectives. Hmm. . . that was the month I hit 20,000 words.

Finally, I'd like to share something that author/editor Kelly McCrady — my friend and crit/writing partner — said to me when I was getting angsty one day: "Don't allow the pressure of writing twist in your gut and steal your joy of telling stories. Your role is to tell those stories. The possibility that you could earn money from selling these stories is a fringe benefit, a reward, a bonus. Let the joy of writing them come first."

So there you have it — my initial list. Now go get to kicking.

http://www.AnneRandolph.com/SOUP_KITCHEN_WRITING.html    www.KitchenTableWriting.com

Write Words "Fresh and Unfamiliar"

2009-04-02T19:01:00Z

I had the opportunity to offer a Write Hot! workshop for the CIPA (Colorado Independent Publishers Association) College last weekend, a stunning event despite the blizzard!
In fact, the sun shone bright the whole weekend.

An illustrious group of participants attended, including Eric Kampmann, President of Midpoint Trade Books and Beaufort Books. To my great surprise, as a keynote speaker on Saturday, Eric began his presentation with glorious praise of this Write Hot! Kitchen Table Writing workshop. Here is the entry that he wrote during our session.

Thank you, Eric for the words of praise at CIPA College.

Apparitions by Eric Kampmann

I spent last weekend in Denver at an independent publisher conference. Though I was a speaker, I had an opportunity to sit in on a two hour writing seminar lead by Anne Randolph, an excellent writing coach. Anne led us through three exercises and the first was to write for five minutes starting with the word “unfamiliar.” Here is what I came up with:

Unfamiliar faces crowd the confined space of the stalled car. No one speaks. We are strangers, riding toward our individual destinations. We have unexpectedly paused and the sudden silence causes unease. The faces are impenetrable masks, revealing nothing of the complicated stories lying below the surface. Eyes avoid eyes and some peer out the darkened windows toward grey, soot packed walls that encase us here. Then relief: The train jolts into action and moves forward, slowly resuming speed and carrying each one of us on our singular journey toward an assignation that will add yet another chapter to each of our fragmentary books.

Ezra Pound is the father of this short piece of writing. In college I had memorized a two line poem he had written early in the 20th Century. It goes like this: “The apparition of these faces in a crowd/pedals on a wet black bough.”

His blog: www.EricKampmann.blogspot.com

Eric M. Kampmann
President
Midpoint Trade Books, Inc
27 West 20th Street
New York, New York 10011

www.MidpointTrade.Com

Eric Kampmann is the president of Midpoint Trade Books. Previously, he served as Vice President and Director of Sales for Simon & Schuster, and held similar positions at St. Martin's Press and Viking Press. Over the past twenty-five years, Eric has taught at several prominent universities, including Harvard, Columbia, New York University and Hofstra. The main focus of his teaching has been in the areas of book publishing, but he has also taught courses in English Literature. He has also taught and participated in innumerable bible studies at local churches in and around Fairfield County, Connecticut. He holds an undergraduate degree from Brown University and a graduate degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is the author of three books: The Tree of Life, The Book Publisher's Handbook: The Seven Keys to Publishing Success with Six Case Studies, and trail thoughts.

STEPS TO DRAMATIZE AND REWRITE A SCENE

2009-03-20T01:13:00Z

Now you have written your scene. What are the steps to bring tension to your scene. Here is the first process.

To begin to a clarify specific scene and define what is needed to make the scene work, go through 10 to 25 pages of your work. Make a large index card for each scene.

On each card write the following:

Name of the scene
Characters in this scene
Next to character name, write what this person wants at this specific moment
Define the conflict between these characters at this time
Create and magnify an obstacle in the scene
Now, rewrite this scene. Have one character want something and have the other character go to any level to keep them from getting their want.

Thinking of rewriting what we have already written is a challenging thought, but starting with a blank page, now that you know what needs to happen in a scene, is the best way to improve the writing.

Send me the notes you have on your card for one scene. info@SoupKitchenWriting.com