This online version of Shine is different to the PDF that you can download and copy. This is an exciting collection of the responses to many of the exercises and activities that are showcased within The Soul Food Café.

Soul Food reaches far and wide. It was originally created as a resource for students at LaTrobe Secondary College but these days it is accessed by artists and writers from all over the world. These days Soul Food is a vibrant community where the cross pollination that comes with sharing has resulted in a rich harvest.

The Red Death is just one example of a prompt that captured the imagination of many people. Students in the primary schools I visited loved the whole Red Death concept and I found that they were making connections to it long after we had published our stories. Similarly the Pitbull prompt drew out vivid memories of school yard bullies who lived like giants in the memories of people whether they be eight or eighty.

The wonderful thing about the prompts at Soul Food is that they are never watered down to 'suit' younger students. Working with people from eight to eighty has proven, beyond all doubt, that it is only what we do with an idea that varies. Younger students may not have the same skill as a professional writer but be in no doubt, they have fabulous ideas that the professional writer would kill for. I am regularly in awe of just where an auto suggestion takes them.

Enjoy this very special collection.
Heather Blakey