blog.SoupKitchenWriting

Trust Your Instincts

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:11:43 GMT

And he sailed off through night and day

and in and out of weeks

and almost over a year

to where the wild things are.

- Maurice Sendak

The passing of Maurice Sendak this week gave me fresh inspiration to always be true to myself as an artist. As writers, we must always be willing to take chances and write what we want to write - not what others think we should. We simply must be honest in order to truly succeed in our craft. Although some critics didn’t know what to do with Sendak’s unconventional style of storytelling and his deliciously dark children’s tales, he most certainly struck a nerve with kids. And as we know, kids are very good at detecting insincerity. So, as you write this week - and beyond - remember to trust your instincts. I promise you won’t regret it.

Storytime

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:03:19 GMT

It is widely held that one of the best ways to teach children to read and instill a love of reading in them, is by reading to them. For almost 50 years Judy Volc was with the Boulder Public Library - first as a librarian, but when her position was cut almost 10 years ago she continued as a volunteer story reader. Yet Volc was dismissed as a volunteer earlier this year by Boulder’s Library Director. Even the Library Commission was blindsided by this decision and urged the Director to reconsider, to no avail. I have a friend who grew up listening to Ms. Volc read stories, and who credits her love of reading - and writing – to this important part of her childhood. Needless to say, this decision has been wildly unpopular. One Boulder resident who opposed the decision compared it to “dismissing Santa from Christmas.”

Think of your childhood and those adults who read to you. What kind of impact did it have? If you wrote a letter to the Library Director, what would you say to get her to change her mind?

Make Time For Your Writing!

Soup Kitchen Writing — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:50:28 GMT

“I wanted those hours, I’d really, really try to be consistent about it.” – Charlotte Rogan

Carving out time to write is critical to the creative process. I cannot stress this enough. Scheduling time for it gives it relevance and importance in your day. This process was taken to heart by the author of “The Lifeboat,” a critically-acclaimed new novel. Charlotte Rogan wrote in secret for many years, often passing up lunch invitations so she had time to write while her triplets were at school. Have you booked time for your writing this week, this month?

A Whole New World

Soup Kitchen Writing — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 06:06:43 GMT

Many of us have great memories of reading books as a child. Our love of reading is part of why we chose to be writers! The books that we read as kids had a huge impact on who we became as adults. So imagine that, as a child, your world goes from one workbook, to an entire universe of books through the power of electronic readers! That is what happened for the kids at Ntimigom.

Check out this inspiring story and its powerful images, and imagine that the kids are reading something that you wrote. You do have the power to transform lives with your words - so start writing! The kids are waiting.

In Celebration of the Irish

Soup Kitchen Writing — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:14:36 GMT

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the time is right to pay tribute to a much-maligned art form – the limerick. While limericks didn’t originate in Ireland, we have the town of Limerick for putting them on the map, so to speak.

Although bawdy humor or bad taste may come to mind when you hear the term, many great writers – including Shakespeare – have composed them. For this week’s writing exercise, try composing a limerick about your favorite person, place, pet, book - anything! There are not many “rules” – in general, limericks have five lines - Lines 1, 2 and 5 have 7-10 syllables and rhyme with one another; the same goes for Lines 3 and 4. It’s a great way to warm up as you prepare for your next writing session. Please share your best limerick (keeping in mind that this is a family-friendly website!) in the comments section.

May the luck o’ the Irish be with you!

- Anne

Birth of a Bookstore

Soup Kitchen Writing — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:19:07 GMT

Acclaimed novelist Ann Patchett was facing a cultural void in her hometown of Nashville after a popular independent bookstore closed. But rather than spend time wringing her hands about it, she decided to do something about it. The result is Parnassus Books, a new independent bookstore opened by Patchett and business partner Karen Hayes late last year. The rise of e-books and online sales has caused a steady decline in the number of independent booksellers in this country, so this new bookstore represents a small beacon of hope that the trend could be reversed. Do you believe that e-books are the wave of the future, with nothing to be done, or will bookstores survive? After all, you can’t meet your favorite author on a website, or be in the same room with him or her as they share their newest pages with you. If you haven’t visited the Tattered Cover or Powell’s lately, what are you waiting for?

The Plot Thickens

Soup Kitchen Writing — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:04:35 GMT

It is said that there is nothing new under the sun, and American author William Wallace Clark really put that notion to the test. His book "Plotto: The Master Book of All Plots", written in 1928 and recently re-released, showcases his system for creating plots for his many books. In fact, he created 1,462 plot outlines using his method. Check out this recent NPR story about the book, along with an excerpt. Do you think something as important as the plot for your book can be derived from a formula? Share your thoughts!

Sit In On a Workshop!

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:14:50 GMT

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...

Soup Kitchen Writing — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:58:16 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:52:52 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:43:25 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:59:36 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:21:41 GMT

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?

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:19:39 GMT

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!

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:51:12 GMT

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?

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:02:38 GMT

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!

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:09:31 GMT

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?

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:28:23 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:54:38 GMT

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

Soup Kitchen Writing — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:44:08 GMT

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!