Writing Prompt 12/31/2010: New Year's Writing Prompt

By Marilyn Friedman

Happy New Year! I just returned from the winter wonderland of Idyllwild for a mini writing retreat of my own so I am finally posting your last prompt of the year. Comments received after Sunday, January 2nd will qualify for the January/February comment contest. Also, make sure to start 2011 off right with these fantastic classes and events. Call 323-333-2954 to RSVP before they are full!

Events:

• How To Be A Writer Who Writes (Featuring Judy Reeves - Fri. Jan. 7)
• Reading at Stories Books (Featuring Jason Flores-Williams and Marilyn Friedman - Sat. Jan. 8)
  
• Write Your Novel This Year (Featuring Ernessa T. Carter, Ron Koertge, Attica Locke and Janelle Brown - Fri., Jan. 14)

Jan. One Day Classes:

• Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Jan. 8-9)
• Flavorful Fiction and Mouth-watering Memoir (Sat., Jan. 8)
• Delicious Details, Tantalizing Truths (Sat., Jan. 8)
• Work-shopping Session (Sun., Jan. 9)
• Into The Deep: Go Below The Surface of Your Writing (Sun., Jan. 9)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--1 Day (Thurs., Jan. 13)
• And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 17)
• You--Abbreviated and Fascinating: Delicious Personal Essays (Sun., Jan. 23)

Jan. Multi Week Classes:

• So You Want To Be A Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Your Life On The Silver Screen (Tues. p.m.'s)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--4 wk (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Your Name In Print: Get Your Work Published (Sun. a.m.'s)

Writing Prompt: Make a list of five New Year's resolutions for yourself or a character from your project. Pick one the resolutions and add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch, sight). Write about it for 10 minutes and then post the results in the comments of this blog!

Comment on this blog! What are your New Year's resolutions? Post your 10 minute write in the comments, and you could win a free class!

Writing Pad 2010 Gift Guide

By Halie Rosenberg and Marilyn Friedman

Here are 5 great ideas for anyone on your list!

1. The Gift of Writing. Know someone who loves to write or who has been dreaming about writing a book or screenplay? Writing Pad offers gift certificates in many denominations and packages them in pretty envelopes. Or if your creative friends and family live far away, send them one of Writing Pad's new online or live streaming classes. Let them experience Marilyn's wonderful writing prompts and mini craft lectures from the comfort of their own sofa. Right now, there are two exciting options to choose from: And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life or Mini Writing Pad Bootcamp.

Cost: $55 per online class, $29.99 per live streaming class, gift certificates vary

2. The Gift of Dessert. It's no secret that at Writing Pad, we LOVE special desserts. Currently, we are drooling over these classic Parisian Macaroons from Saveurs, a gourmet cuisine company right here in LA! With delicious flavors like Pistachio, Chocolate, Raspberry, Cappuccino, Pecan-Caramel, and Cinnamon, they are the perfect hostess gift for holiday parties and dinners! You can freeze them until you are ready to gift them or eat them yourself.

Cost: 12 Macaroons for $18


3. The Gift of Literature. Whether you need to buy a gift for a foodie, fellow writer, or your young, angst ridden nephew, Writing Pad's new faculty bookstore has got you covered. All books are shipped by Amazon and can be expedited if necessary!

Cost: Varies by book


4. The Gift of Light. Everyone loves a good candle. It sets a mood and makes any room more peaceful and tranquil. We love these locally made soy candles from Pure Sense by Paula. How could you not be inspired to write when lighting the Red Currant or Vanilla Grapefruit candle? You can order them online or visit Paula's Studio City store.

Cost: $10.50 or $24.95


5. The Gift of You. Short on cash? Wow your loved ones with an ode, a story, or a heartfelt letter. Print it out on nice paper and use a presentation envelope if you like. It’ll be a unique gift they’ll hold dear forever.

Cost: $0


Happy Holidays from Writing Pad! We hope that Santa brings you everything that you've been wishing for!!!

Writing Prompt 12.17.2010 - Staycation

By Amy Robinson

No need to leave town to find inspiration to write, we are bringing the best teachers to you. Sign up for our Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves! Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com. Classes are filling up fast!

Events:

• How To Be A Writer Who Writes (Featuring Judy Reeves - Fri. Jan 7)
  
• Write Your Novel This Year (Featuring Ernessa T. Carter, Ron Koertge, Attica Locke and Janelle Brown - Fri., Jan. 14)

Jan. One Day Classes:

• Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Sat., Jan. 8, Sun., Jan. 9)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--1 Day (Thurs., Jan. 13)
• And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 17)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 24)

Jan. Multi Week Classes:

• So You Want To Be A Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Your Life On The Silver Screen (Tues. p.m.'s)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--4 wk (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Your Name In Print: Get Your Work Published (Sun. a.m.'s)

Writing Prompt:

The roads and airports are stuffed with holiday travelers, so it seems like a good time to stay put! Make a list of 5 things that you would do on a "staycation." Does you visit your town's touristy attractions, do you explore the historical sites in your own town, or is a staycation your opportunity to explore how comfy your couch is? Pick one "holiday at home" idea off of your list, add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch, sight), and write for 10 minutes. Then post the results in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free class. Everyone who comments will get warm-fuzzies, in the form of free likes and remembers!

Comment on this blog! What comes to mind when I say the word, "staycation?" Post your 10 minute write in the comments, and you could win a free class!

Impossibly Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake - Adel's December Recipe

by Adel Aschenbrener and Amy Robinson

Don't get your latkes in a twist! Relax at Writing Pad with delicious literary treats. Our yummy winter classes will coax the spirits of holiday cheer out of your pen and onto the page:

Dec./Jan. One Day Classes:

• Hello World, Welcome to my Blog (Sat., Dec. 11)
• Fruitcakes and Turkeys - Write Out The Holiday Season (Thurs., Dec. 16)
  
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--1 Day (Thurs., Jan. 6)
• Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Sat., Jan. 8, Sun., Jan. 9)
• And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 17)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 24)

Jan. Multi Week Classes:

• So You Want To Be A Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Your Life On The Silver Screen (Tues. p.m.'s)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--4 wk (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Your Name In Print: Get Your Work Published (Sun. a.m.'s)

Events:

• How To Be A Writer Who Writes (Featuring Judy Reeves - Fri. Jan 7)
  
• Write Your Novel This Year (Featuring Ernessa T. Carter, Ron Koertge, Attica Locke and Janelle Brown - Fri., Jan. 14)

Sign up by calling 323-333-2954 or emailing marilyn@writingpad.com. Classes are filling up fast!

For the December recipe, Adel helps those of us in a time crunch and with pot-luck commitments. Here's her simple recipe for decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Adel says, "The holidays are upon us, and with them, the inevitable question of what to bring to the numerous parties we find ourselves obligated to attend. This cake is my go-to emergency dessert. It's rich without being heavy, elegant without being fussy, and best of all, impossibly easy to make. For an extra festive touch, try cutting some snowflakes out of paper and sifting some powdered sugar on top for a stenciled effect."

Flourless Chocolate Cake (adapted from Epicurious)
12 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate

6 ounces (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

6 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9" springform pan & line the bottom of pan with parchment paper.

Melt chocolate and butter in a bowl over a water bath; remove from heat.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat egg yolks and 6 tablespoons sugar until very thick and pale, about 3 minutes. Fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture, then stir in vanilla extract. Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until medium-firm peaks form. Fold whites into chocolate mixture in

3 additions. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake cake until top is puffed and dry and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, about 40-50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack.

Using a small knife or offset spatula, cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Remove pan sides. Place 9-inch-diameter tart pan bottom or cardboard round atop cake. Invert cake onto tart serving dish. Peel off parchment paper.

Writing Prompt - It's Contagious!

By Amy Robinson

Writing Pad has filled the calendar with amazing new classes to help get you through the winter doldrums. Join us for sweet treats and workshops to spark that hibernating writer in you. Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com. Spaces are filling up fast, so give us a call during a shopping break!

Dec./Jan. One Day Classes:

• Hello World, Welcome to my Blog (Sat., Dec. 11)
• Fruitcakes and Turkeys - Write Out The Holiday Season (Thurs., Dec. 16)
  
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--1 Day (Thurs., Jan. 6)
• Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Sat., Jan. 8, Sun., Jan. 9)
• And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 17)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 24)

Jan. Multi Week Classes:

• So You Want To Be A Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Your Life On The Silver Screen (Tues. p.m.'s)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--4 wk (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Your Name In Print: Get Your Work Published (Sun. a.m.'s)

Writing Prompt:

There is something in the air! Make a list of 5 things that you think are "contagious." It can be mob madness at Walmart on Black Friday, it can be a yawn or a snappy tune (Gloria Estefan was right about the rhythm getting you.) I seem to pick up every cold or flu that surfs around the winter air. Pick one of the contagious items off of your list, add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch, sight), and write for 10 minutes. Then post the results in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free class (and for free likes and remembers)!

For example. Here's my write: "Cold, gloppy and stinging all the dry cracks in my cuticles, hand sanitizer eases my whirring mind. This little bottle of gooey alcohol is my only comfort after grabbing the sticky plastic handrail on the mall escalator. Thousands of germs wriggling their imaginary way from my palms into my blood system, creeping into my sinuses until I'm miserable."

Comment on this blog! What comes to mind when I say the word, "contagious?" Post your 10 minute write in the comments, and you could win a free class!

October/November Comment Contest Winner

By Amy Robinson

We have so many great classes coming up. Choose one and give yourself a holiday treat! Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com. Classes are filling up faster than your plate at a holiday party, so reserve your place now!

Dec./Jan. One Day Classes:

• Hello World, Welcome to my Blog (Sat., Dec. 11)
• Fruitcakes and Turkeys - Write Out The Holiday Season (Thurs., Dec. 16)
  
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--1 Day (Thurs., Jan. 6)
• Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Sat., Jan. 8, Sun., Jan. 9)
• And You Thought Your Family Was F@&ked Up: Developing Compelling Characters From Real Life (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 17)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (ONLINE--Wk of Jan. 24)

Jan. Multi Week Classes:

• So You Want To Be A Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat. a.m.'s)
• Your Life On The Silver Screen (Tues. p.m.'s)
• It's All About You: One-Person Solo Show Workshop--4 wk (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Your Name In Print: Get Your Work Published (Sun. a.m.'s)

Our comment contest winner for October/November is Todd Yeager! Congratulations Todd!

Todd's favorite place to write is, “a cabana on a small, private beach in Monte Carlo on a warm summer morning, looking out over the French Riviera with a glass of beaujolais and an order of steak frites by my side. The fact that I have never been to this place may explain why I don’t seem to get much writing done. My second favorite place to write is at the desk in my bedroom. There is no French Riviera, there is no beaujolais, and there are no steak frites, but I do have unlimited access to the internet.”

After hearing the good news about the contest, Todd also said, “Thanks to Marilyn and everyone at Writing Pad for doing what you do. You guys have a great thing going, I can't wait to take more classes!”

Yay! You can read Todd's great mini story about an overheard conversation here:

http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2010/10/writing-prompt-overheard-conversations.html

And you can read all the other fantastic stories from October/November here:

http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2010/10/your-vote-counts-pick-next-writing-pad.html#comments

http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2010/09/writing-prompt-111010-favorite-color.html#comments

http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2010/11/writing-prompt-111910-procrastination.html#comments

http://wellfedmuse.blogspot.com/2010/11/writing-prompt-112710-thanks-writing.html#comments

I love reading these amazing stories, so keep on commenting folks! There is another comment contest on for the month of December. Please note: the more times you comment, the better chance you have of winning!

Writing Prompt: Feeling Cool

By Amy Robinson

Baby, it's cold outside! Now is the perfect time to cozy up in front of the fire place at a Writing Pad class. Warm up your writing practice this December with these great classes. Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com. There are only a few spots left in these delicious classes!

--So You Wanna Be a Writer (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat a.m. sections)

--Finishing School (Wed. p.m., Fri. a.m., Sat a.m. sections available)
--Your Life As A Movie (Tues., Dec. 7)
--Mini Writing Staycation with Judy Reeves (Jan. 8 & 9)

Writing Prompt:

Make a list of 5 things that come to mind when I say the word, "cold." You could write about your favorite ice cream or a rude ex-girlfriend, or passing out cold, or giving up smoking cold turkey, etc. Pick one of the items off of your list, add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch, sight), and write for 10 minutes. Then post the results in the comments of this blog for the chance to win a free class (and for free likes and remembers)!

I used to live in Chicago, so I know what cold is all about. It came in many forms during a Midwestern winter, radiating from a tile basement floor, sucking all the feeling out of my toes, or freezing my eyelashes to my scarf on a short walk from the El to the office. That's what I'll write about. Write about the last time you felt the chill!

Comment on this blog! What comes to mind when I say the word, "cold?" Post your 10 minute write in the comments, and you could win a free class!