Writers on Writing: Video Interviews with P.E.N. Prize Recipient, Ron Koertge

Are you having trouble establishing a regular writing practice?  Check out this video interview with award-winning young adult author and poet, Ron Koertge and find out how he overcame his writing hurdles.  Ron says, Writing "one page a day gets you over 300 pages in a year. Get off your butt and do your page a day!"


You can watch this other short video on Writing Pad's Youtube channel to find out why Ron likes to have "the hands of dead writers" on him while he writes and how he developed his special writing style.

Ron has won multiple ALA awards for YA fiction, 2 P.E.N. Prizes (one for his book Stoner and Spaz, which Publishers Weekly calls a "sharp and emotionally moving YA novel”), an N.E.A. Fellowship for poetry and has twice been included in The Best American Poetry. Ron's next YA novel Stoner and Spaz II (Candlewick Press) will be released on August 9, 2011.


Also, you can meet Ron and ask him questions at the Pad on Friday, July 29th at From the In Crowd to the Down and Loud: Exploring the Young Adult Experience.  Email marilyn@writingpad.com to sign up for the event before it is full!

Writing Prompt: Carmageddon

By Marilyn Friedman

The closing of the 405 this weekend will suck, but Writing Pad's classes can take the pain out of being stuck at home this weekend! Sign up for http://www.writingpad.com/classesbydate.htm#CHARACTER, our fantastic online class that will help you develop the most amazing characters you have ever written. Pour yourself some iced tea, grab a cookie, fire up your laptop, and it's almost as fun as being at the Pad! Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com to enroll in this class or one of our in-person classes later in the month before they fill up!

Events

• Fictitious Fiction: Navigating The Literary Unknown with Antoine Wilson, Grace Krilanovich, Melissa Clark (Fri., July 22)

• From The In Crowd To The Down And Loud: Exploring The Young Adult Experience with Ron Koertge, Jessica Brody, Derek Taylor Kent (Fri., July 29)

Multi-Week Classes

• Heart of Darkness: Navigating the Second Act (Mon. p.m.'s)
• Treasure Hunt: Find The Hidden Gems Inside Your Script (Tues. nights)
• So You Want To Be A Writer? (Tues. p.m.'s online, Wed. p.m.'s, Sat a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat a.m.'s)
• From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show (Thurs. nights)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)
• From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing for Kids and Young Adults (Sun. a.m.'s)
• You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay (Mon. p.m.'s)

One Day Classes

• http://www.writingpad.com/classesbydate.htm#CHARACTER (Online--July 16-24)
• Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop (Sun., July 24)
• Let Your Pilot Take Off: Crafting A Compelling TV Show (Sun., July 24 & 31)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (Online--July 25-31)
• Imagination Vacation: A Fiction Writing Workshop (Sun., July 31)
• Get Your Book Published (Sun., July 31)

Writing Prompt: Make a list of 5 memories or story ideas that you associate with the word "car." Pick one and add a sensory detail to it (smell, taste, sound, touch). Then write a story, a poem, or a scene about this car related item, including the sensory detail. You could write about your first car or a story that includes traffic or a car accident. Write for 10 minutes, then post your write on the comments of this blog!

Comment on this blog! What do you think of when I say, car or first car? If you post your 10 minute write in the comments, you could win a free class.

Writing Prompt: 4th of July

By Marilyn Friedman

Happy Early Independence Day! As you get ready for your weekend excursions and BBQ's, don't forget to sign up for a Writing Pad July class. We have some terrific, new classes on the schedule! Call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com before they are full!

Events

• Fictitious Fiction: Navigating The Literary Unknown with Antoine Wilson, Grace Krilanovich, Melissa Clark (Fri., July 22)

• From The In Crowd To The Down And Loud: Exploring The Young Adult Experience with Ron Koertge, Jessica Brody, Derek Taylor Kent (Fri., July 29)

Multi-Week Classes

• Heart of Darkness: Navigating the Second Act (Mon. p.m.'s)
• Treasure Hunt: Find The Hidden Gems Inside Your Script (Tues. nights)
• So You Want To Be A Writer? (Tues. p.m.'s online, Wed. p.m.'s, Sat a.m.'s)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat a.m.'s)
• From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show (Thurs. nights)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)
• From Bedtime Stories To Tales of Teenage Woe: Writing for Kids and Young Adults (Sun. a.m.'s)
• You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay (Mon. p.m.'s)

One Day Classes

• Hello World, Welcome to My Blog (Sun., July 10)
• http://www.writingpad.com/classesbydate.htm#CHARACTER (Online--July 16-24)
• Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop (Sun., July 24)
• Let Your Pilot Take Off: Crafting A Compelling TV Show (Sun., July 24 & 31)
• Mini Writing Pad Boot Camp . . . With Dessert (Online--July 25-31)
• Imagination Vacation: A Fiction Writing Workshop (Sun., July 31)
• Get Your Book Published (Sun., July 31)

Writing Prompt: Make a list of 5 things that you associate with the 4th of July: foods, vacations, parties, smells, sounds, tastes. Then write a story, a poem, or a scene that includes at least one of the items on your list. Write for 10 minutes, then post your write on the comments of this blog! 4th of July makes me think of that time I went to muggy Florida with my parents and our tour guides got drunk on the bus so that's what I'll write about. What are you going to write about?

Comment on this blog! What do you think of when I say, 4th of July? If you post your 10 minute write in the comments, you could win a free class.

Adel's July Recipe - A Healthy and Cool Treat

by Adel Aschenbrener and Amy Robinson

Writing Pad is the coolest place to be this summer! Call 323-333-2954 to RSVP before our classes are full!


Classes

• Hello World, Welcome to My Blog (Sun., July 10)
• Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop (Sun., July 24)
  
• Let Your Pilot Take Off: Crafting a Compelling TV Show (2 day) (Sun., July 24 & 31))
• Imagination Vacation: A Fiction Writing Workshop (Sun., July 31)
  
• Get Your Book Published (Sun., July 31)
• Heart of Darkness: Navigating the Second Act (Mon. p.m.'s)
• Treasure Hunt: Find The Hidden Gems Inside Your Script (Tues. p.m.'s)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)
• So You Wanna Be A Writer (Sat. a.m.'s, Wed. p.m.'s, Tues. p.m.'s online)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat. a.m.'s)
• From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• From Bedtime Stories To Tales Of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults (Sun. a.m.'s)
• You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay (Mon. p.m.'s starting Sept. 12)

Adel says:
"During the summer I find that I don't have much of an appetite for big, heavy, hot meals or a need to heat up my kitchen. Since I don't have an outdoor grill, this means finding other ways to incorporate healthy, fast protein into my diet. This classic, lemony hummus fits the bill perfectly. It's fast, easy, and won't cause you to break a sweat. Slather it on pita and top with cool slices of cucumber and tomato and some crumbled feta cheese and you have a refreshing summer meal or snack in seconds."

Adel's Hummus

1 15oz. can of garbanzo beans (I like Trader Joe's organic)
2 medium sized lemons
2 large cloves of garlic
1/4 cup greek style yogurt
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
salt to taste
paprika for garnish

Drain the garbanzo beans, reserving a few tablespoons of liquid. Rub the outer skins off the beans and discard (I dip my hands in a bowl of water to aid in this process). This step isn't absolutely necessary and to be honest it removes some of the fiber, but it also ensures a beautifully smooth puree, so you make the call. Sometimes I skin only half the beans to save time and retain some of the nutritional benefits.

Place the garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until chopped. Add beans, yogurt, tahini, and cumin, and the juice of one lemon and puree, scraping the bowl down often. Drizzle olive oil in while machine is running and puree, scraping as necessary, until smooth. This can take a few minutes. If the puree is still thicker than your liking, add more olive oil (use reserved canning liquid or more yogurt for a lower fat version) until desired consistency is achieved. Season to taste with the juice of the remaining lemon and salt. If serving this as a dip or part of an appetizer assortment, I like to drizzle a little more olive oil over the surface and add a sprinkling of paprika for color. For variety, try adding some jalapeno, a roasted pepper, or a handful of cilantro to the recipe.

Writing Prompt - Seriously Funny

By Amy Robinson

Writing Pad has a whole pile of exciting classes this summer. If you take Etch a Sketch: A Webisode and Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop, you'll learn how to write a comedy sketch so hilarious you'll want to perform it, use it for a webisode, or submit in application to Lorne Michaels for a writing job on SNL! It is taught taught by the talented and successful comedy writer, Jessie Gaskell (head writer of The Dish and Streamy award nominated Dorm Life). Call 323-333-2954 to sign up for a class before it is full!

• Etch a Sketch: A Webisode and Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop (Sun., Aug 21)
• Hello World, Welcome To My Blog (Sun., July 10)
  
• Let Your Pilot Take Off: Crafting A Compelling TV Show (2 DAY) (Sun., July 24 and Sun., July 31)
  
• So You Wanna Be A Writer (Sat. a.m.'s, Wed. p.m.'s, Mon. p.m.'s online, Wed lunch online)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat. a.m.'s)
• Heart of Darkness: Navigating the Second Act (Mon. p.m.'s)
• Treasure Hunt: Find The Hidden Gems Inside Your Script (Tues. p.m.'s)
• From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)

Writing Prompt: Life can be hilarious. Make a list of 5 of the funniest situations you've (or your character has) ever been a part of (intentional or unintentional). Perhaps there is something that happened to you that wasn't funny at the time, but is funny in retrospect. Pick one of those experiences and write about it for ten minutes. Make sure to include one of the less common sensory details (e.g., smell, taste, sound, touch). Then post your ten minute write in the comments of this blog! Whenever I hear bees humming, I remember hiking up a cliff and accidentally stumbling into a den of bees. That's what I'm going to write about!

Comment on this blog! Share one of your funny life stories. Write about it for ten minutes and then post your writing in this blog for the chance to win a free class!

Writing Prompt: Dear Old Dad

By Marilyn Friedman

June and July are the perfect months to bring your journal to the beach and write your own bestselling summer read or blockbuster! Writing Pad has many ways to help you do it! Check out what we have on our menu for the next few weeks below:

• Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop (Sun., June 19)
• Dialogue Doctor: Punch Up Your Scenes With Specific Speech (Tues., June 21)
• Etch a Sketch: A Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop (Tues., June 28)
• So You Wanna Be A Writer (Sat. a.m.'s, Wed. p.m.'s, Mon. p.m.'s online, Wed lunch online)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat. a.m.'s)
• Heart of Darkness: Navigating the Second Act (Mon. p.m.'s)
• Treasure Hunt: Find The Hidden Gems Inside Your Script (Tues. p.m.'s)
• From The Page To The Stage: Finish That One-Person Show (Thurs. p.m.'s)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)

Writing Prompt: Here is a writing prompt in honor of Father's Day. Make a list of 5 products that you associate with your father. Pick one and write about it for ten minutes. Make sure to include one of the less common sensory details (e.g., smell, taste, sound, touch). Then post your ten minute write in the comments of this blog! Whenever I think of my father, I think of Lava Soap, so that's what my piece will be about.

Comment on this blog! What product do you associate with your Dad? Write about it for ten minutes and then post your writing in this blog for the chance to win a free class!

Writing Prompt: It's Lunch Time!

By Marilyn Friedman

Write your award-winning book or screenplay BEFORE the next rapture! Writing Pad wants to help you. We have brand new novel writing, children's book writing, personal essay writing classes starting up this weekend. We have new rounds of Finishing School and So You Want To Be A Writer starting up, and we even have a class that will help you get a publishing deal! Check out the list below and call 323-333-2954 or email marilyn@writingpad.com before the classes are full.


Events

• Scary School Book Release Party (Sun. June 26)

Classes

• Get Your Book Published (Sun., June 12)
• Get It On The Page: A Creative Writing Workshop (Sun., June 19)
• Dialogue Doctor: Punch Up Your Scenes With Specific Speech (Tues., June 21)
• Etch a Sketch: A Sketch Comedy Writing Workshop (Tues., June 28)
• Writing The Great American Novel (Sat. afternoons)
• So You Wanna Be A Writer (Sat. a.m.'s, Wed. p.m.'s, Mon. p.m.'s online, Wed lunch online)
• Finishing School (Wed. p.m.'s, Sat. a.m.'s)
• From Bedtime Stories To Tales Of Teenage Woe: Writing For Kids and Young Adults (Sun. a.m.'s)
• You In 1200 Words: Writing and Publishing The Personal Essay (Thurs. p.m.'s)

Writing Prompt: Make a list of 5 things that come to mind when I say "childhood lunch." What was inside of your lunch? Did anything significant happen when you (or a fictional character) had lunch in the school cafeteria? Pick one (or several) of the items on your list and write about it for 10 minutes. Then post the results on this blog!

What comes to mind when I say "childhood lunch?" Write about it for 10 minutes and then post your write on this blog for the chance to win a free class!