Wendy Van Camp
Bio
Poet Laureate of Anaheim, CA. I'm a speculative poet, scifi author, essayist, and poetry editor. A Pushcart Prize, Elgin Award, and Dwarf Star Nominee. Member of SFWA, SFPA, IBPA.
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Stories (7)
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Crafting Memorable Settings
As writers, we are the creators of worlds where we invite readers to join us on epic adventures, to travel uncharted territories, and to explore both the real world or ones of pure imagination. But what transforms these words into a vibrant tapestry to captivate a reader’s senses? How do we transport him into a world of our design? It is a matter of detailed worldbuilding, engaging the senses, and being consistent with the internal logic within our created spaces.
By Wendy Van Camp2 years ago in Writers
Building Tension and Conflict
As authors, we are the puppet masters of emotions in our novels. It is our job to keep readers on the edge of their seats, turning pages, eager to uncover the next revelation. But how do we achieve this? What are the methods to weave a web of tension and conflict that enthralls our readers?
By Wendy Van Camp2 years ago in Writers
A 2023 Poet Laureate’s Retrospective
In April of 2022, I became Anaheim’s Poet Laureate. I am at the tail end of my two-year term which will end in April of 2024. I am often asked what a poet laureate is and what I do on the job. I thought I’d write about my year for those poets who might consider applying for a poet laureate position in their own city. While being a poet laureate is an unpaid position, it can have its rewards due to the title carrying some weight in literary communities.
By Wendy Van Camp2 years ago in Journal
Ink, Sweat, and Tears: A Writer’s Tale of NaNoWriMo
Embarking on the journey of creating a novel is like setting sail on an uncharted sea, armed with nothing but a pen, paper, and one’s imagination. Well over thirteen years ago, I attempted Nanowrimo for the first time with nothing more than an idea and a used Alphasmart typewriter I purchased off of eBay. Since the book was recommended on the website, I also purchased Chris Baty’s book “No Plot, No Problem.” It’s the book that started the entire Nano craze. As we begin another November and National Novel Writing Month, I think about the steps that transformed the daunting task of novel creation into a reality.
By Wendy Van Camp2 years ago in Writers
Show, Don’t Tell
As authors, we are the sorcerers who weave tales, the architects of imaginary worlds. Our mission is to transport readers to distant lands, to make them see and experience the story as if they were living it. But how do we accomplish this feat? How do we bring our stories to life in vivid technicolor?
By Wendy Van Camp2 years ago in Writers
