No Wasted Ink Newsletter & Ramblecast - March 2026

Welcome to the monthly No Wasted Ink Newsletter. My name is Wendy Van Camp and I’m Poet Laureate Emerita from the City of Anaheim, California. This newsletter is not affiliated with the city. All views stated here are my own.

March felt like a month where I kept moving forward, even when my body tried to slow me down.

I spent most of the month dealing with a lingering cough that just would not quit. Even after I felt better, the coughing stayed, and it made everything more complicated than it needed to be. I had interviews to conduct for an assignment with Indie Author Magazine, my first interview assignment with them.

Those interviews were done over Zoom, which helped. I could mute myself when the coughing hit, and let my interviewee take the stage without ruining the audio. It was not glamorous, and I went through more cough drops than I care to admit, but I got it done. The article is now submitted, and I am proud of it.

At the start of the month, I had a featured reading at Sonder Books, a virtual bookstore in Second Life. That experience deserves its own story. I logged in early because I was unsure how daylight savings would affect the platform. It turned out I was right to do so. While Second Life did follow daylight savings, since they are based in San Francisco, I was caught by their gradual voice update. Because I was using an older version of my viewer interface, my voice would not play in the sim I was scheduled to speak in. I had to install the newest version on the spot, which took several attempts before my avatar even loaded properly. The store owner even rebooted the sim for my sake, to get my voice to activate. By the time everything was working, I arrived just in time to begin my reading.

Despite the preparation chaos, the reading itself went beautifully. I treated it as a soft launch for my new digital release, Quiet Places, Loud Thoughts. I read the beginning of the book, shared poems from my upcoming collection Pages She Will Carry, and closed with two speculative pieces, including “Rockets Over Anaheim.” The audience was warm and engaged, and their response meant a great deal to me. It reminded me why I love doing these readings, even when the path to get there is a little messy.

Behind the scenes, I have been busy with my writing life in a more consistent way. My coworking sessions in Second Life continue to grow, and I value that quiet sense of shared focus. There is something about gathering in that seaside village setting, even virtually, that helps creativity spark.

One of my biggest milestones this month was finishing the draft of my poetry collection, Time and Space. Now comes the careful work of revision, both for individual poems and for the collection as a whole, before I format them into a book. I’m still on track for an October release, but no promises.

For now, I am balancing what I can do with what I need. March was difficult, but it was full. And in its own way, it reminded me that progress does not have to be perfect to matter.

yours in poetry,

Wendy

Writers often reach a point where they must decide whether to focus on one genre or explore several. This choice is not always simple. It affects how readers find your work, how you build your career, and how you grow as a writer. Some advice encourages writers to stay in one lane to build a clear brand. Other advice suggests that creative work should not be limited by categories. Both views have value, and both come with trade-offs.

This essay looks at the benefits and challenges of each approach. It also considers how writers can make a thoughtful decision based on their goals, their stage of career, and their need for creative growth.

Focusing on a single genre offers clarity. When a writer produces work within one category, readers know what to expect. This expectation is important. It builds trust. A reader who enjoys one piece is more likely to return for another if the experience feels familiar in tone, theme, or structure.

This consistency helps with visibility. Marketing becomes more focused. It is easier to describe your work in a sentence or two. This matters when writing queries or promoting work on social media.

There is also a craft advantage. Writing within one genre allows for deeper study. Each genre has its own conventions and reader expectations. By staying in one space, a writer can learn these patterns. You understand not only how to meet expectations but also how to shape them in effective ways.

For example, a speculative poet who focuses only on that form can refine their use of imagery, symbolism, and structure. A romance writer can develop a strong sense of pacing and emotional payoff. This kind of focused practice leads to mastery.

However, staying niche can also create pressure. When a writer becomes known for one type of work, there may be an expectation to continue producing that same content. This can limit creative risks. It may also lead to fatigue if the writer feels that they are repeating themselves.

Exploring different genres offers a fresh set of advantages. It allows for creative flexibility. Writers are not confined to a single set of expectations. This can make the writing process feel more engaging.

There is also a creative benefit in stepping outside familiar patterns. Trying a new genre can refresh your approach to writing. It encourages experimentation and reduces the risk of burnout. When a writer feels stuck, a change in form or genre can provide a new way forward.

Writing across genres can expand your reach. Different audiences may discover your work through different formats. This can lead to new opportunities, such as speaking engagements or collaborations in a wider range of venues.

There are challenges. A writer who works in multiple genres may find it harder to build a clear identity. Readers may not understand what to expect. Marketing becomes more complex because the work does not fit into a single category. This can slow audience growth, especially in the early stages of a career.

Many writers benefit from a balanced approach. This does not require a strict division between staying in a niche or exploring. Instead, it allows for a primary focus with room for experimentation.

One common strategy is to establish a core genre. This becomes the foundation of your professional identity. It is the area where you build the most consistent body of work. You allow space for other projects that fall outside that core.

A writer might focus on speculative poetry as their primary form, while also writing essays or short fiction that explore related themes. Here, the genres are different, but the voice and subject create a sense of continuity. Readers who connect with one piece may still find value in the others.

Another approach is to separate work by audience or purpose. Some writers use pen names to publish in different genres. This allows them to maintain a clear identity within each space while still exploring multiple interests. Others choose to keep all their work under one name, relying on their voice and perspective to connect the pieces.

There is no single correct method. The best approach depends on your goals. If your priority is to build a strong and recognizable brand, focusing on one genre may be the most effective choice. If your priority is creative growth, exploring multiple genres may be more important.

Career stage also plays a role. Writers who are just beginning may benefit from a clear focus. It helps them develop their skills and build an initial audience. More established writers may have greater flexibility. They can experiment without losing the trust they have already built with readers.

It is also useful to think about how your work is presented. Clear communication can reduce confusion. If you write in multiple genres, make it easy for readers to understand what you offer. This can be done through your website, your author bio, or the way you organize your publications.

One concern many writers have is how readers will respond to a shift in genre. This is a valid concern. Readers often come to a writer with certain expectations. When those expectations change, the response may be mixed.

Readers are not only attached to genres. They are also attached to voice, perspective, and emotional tone. If these elements remain consistent, readers may be more willing to follow a writer into new areas.

Communication is key. When introducing work in a new genre, it helps to provide context. Let readers know what to expect and why you are exploring this direction. This does not require a formal announcement. It can be as simple as a brief note or a thoughtful introduction.

It is also important to accept that not all readers will follow every shift. This is a normal part of a writing career. Audiences grow and change. New readers may discover your work through one genre, while others may prefer another. This does not mean that one choice is better than the other. It reflects the range of interests within your audience.

The choice between staying niche and writing across genres is about sustainability. A writing practice needs to support both professional goals and creative well-being.

If a writer feels restricted by their genre, their work may lose energy. Their work could feel scattered across too many directions and lack focus. The goal is to find a balance that allows for both clarity and growth.

Regular reflection can help. Consider what is working in your current approach. Are you still engaged with your projects? Do you feel challenged? Are your professional goals being met? These questions can guide adjustments.

It is also helpful to view your writing career as a long-term process. A writer may begin with a strong niche focus, then expand into other genres once they have established a foundation. Another writer may start with wide exploration, then narrow their focus as they discover where their work fits best.

The decision to stay within a single genre or explore multiple genres does not have a fixed answer. It is shaped by your goals and creative needs. The two approaches offer real benefits. Both also require careful thought.

What matters most is that your approach supports meaningful work. Readers respond to writing that feels engaged and purposeful. This is true regardless of genre.

Over time, a writer’s body of work becomes a record of both focus and change. Some pieces may sit within a single tradition. Others may reach beyond it. Together, they reflect a career that is both intentional and alive.

Genre is a tool, not a boundary. It helps shape how work is received, but it does not define the full scope of what a writer can do. When used with intention, it can support both connection and discovery, allowing writers to build a career that is both stable and open to change.

[on long train ride home]
A tanka poem
by Wendy Van Camp
on long train ride home
leaving behind his despair
afraid to wake her
tilting to find her shoulder
memory still in moment

I have always been a fan of scifaiku poetry, but this past year, I decided to stretch myself a little and have been experimenting with the tanka poem form. This particular one published in Rez Magazine back in January of 2026. The inspiration of this poem came from a prompt book with random emotions and settings to get your mind working.

San Diego Poetry Annual
2026 Issue
by Wendy Van Camp
Free PDF of the Anthology - https://sandiegopoetryannual.com/order/free-pdf/

My nonet poem “Sight Without Mercy” can be found on page 359. It is a poem based on a greek myth.

Sonder Books Presents: The Open Page
A Second Life Bookstore
March 14th @ Noon

Indigo Starling (aka Wendy Van Camp) was the featured guest at the bookstore, the inaugural speaker for this new reading series at Sonder Books, a virtual bookstore set in a Pacific Northwest USA Region where the rain falls and creates a cozy vibe perfect for reading.

During this special event, I read a curated selection of my literary and speculative poems, along with the introduction of my newest release “Quiet Places, Loud Thoughts”. As a bonus for attendees, all guests received a 50% off coupon toward my new digital edition release!

Quiet Places, Loud Thoughts is an non-fiction ebook about the pros and cons of attending writing retreats. It is a companion ebook for my conference presentation by the same name at Writer’s Workout Conference. At the event, you can gain a coupon to purchase the book from Indigoskye Press at 50% off.

🌿 Sonder Books
Location in Second Life:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cerulean%20Sea/28/53/24

Writers Workout Conference
March 23 - 29th
Free to Attend and Virtual
Details: https://www.writersworkout.net/conference

This free, virtual conference is designed to help you make the most of your time with short videos from presenters around the world. Videos are available on YouTube and some presenters are available to chat in Discord. These authors, editors, and industry professionals are donating their time to help you be a better writer.

Wendy Van Camp will give a presentation about attending writing retreats as a writer or poet. She offers a free “cliffnotes” version of her presentation and a 50% off coupon for her digital edition releases of Quiet Places, Loud Thoughts: The Pros and Cons of Writing Retreats for Poets & Writers and Every Word Matters found only at Indigoskye Press, to all attendees. Look for her official file folder for offered downloads at the conference.

Wendy’s “Writers Retreat Presentation” drops on March 28th at 5pm EST.

Ontario Book Fair
March 28th (11 AM - 5 PM)
Ontario Museum of History & Art
225 Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762

I will be part of the Southern California Haiku Study Group table at the book fair. I will be selling and autographing my haiku style poetry books and helping to “woman” the table. I hope to see you there!

with Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp

Are you a writer who struggles with accountability? Do you write short stories or poetry and would love monthly critiques via a professional? Perhaps you need guidance in creating your writing career.

Join Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp via her coaching service at Indigoskye Press. I offer single hour coaching via Google Meet or a discounted block of 3 sessions you would use once a month for a longer term project.

Ideas of how to use a writing coach:

• Help to organize a poetry chapbook or short story collection

• Help with indie publishing your novel

• How to onboard as a speaker at conventions and conferences

• Professional critiques of your short stories or novel chapters each month

Please visit my shop via the link at the top of my portfolio website or go there directly: https://indigoskye.com

Portfolio - http://wendyvancamp.com
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/wendyvancamp
Medium - https://medium.com/@wvancamp
Indigoskye Press - https://indigoskye.com
X (Twitter) - https://x.com/wvancamp
Instagram - https://instagram.com/nowastedink
Mastodon - https://me.dm/@wvancamp
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/indigoskye.bsky.social

The Planets: a scifaiku poetry collection
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z8HMPF2

Letters From The Sea Series
#1 - The Curate’s Brother: A Jane Austen Variation of Persuasion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OU1V45A

The Planets Companion: an astropoetry chapbook
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNKMXNJD

Every Word Matters
https://indigoskye.com/index.php/product/every-word-matters/

Quiet Places, Loud Thoughts: The Pros and Cons of Attending Writing Retreats for Poets and Writers
https://indigoskye.com/index.php/product/quiet-places-loud-thoughts/

Eccentric Orbits: An Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry 2021-2024
Volumes 2 - 5
Editor
Available for purchase: https://dimensionfold.com

Anaheim Poetry Review 2022-2023
Volumes 1 - 2
Inaugural Editor
Free to Read: https://anaheimpoetry.com

Eye To The Telescope: Quests #46 - Fall 2022
Guest Editor
Free to Read: https://eyetothetelescope.com/archives/046issue.html

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