Volume II, Issue 38 October 30, 2013 |
Dear
,
Boo! I got a good laugh out of this photo my friend Monica showed me when she was visiting from California with her new fiance, Nick. It was taken the day her two cats, Hanai (Hawaiian for "adopted child") and Firefly first met her new rescue dog, Piper. Have you felt like these scaredy cats yet today? Did you yesterday?
The day before? No? Then maybe it's time to start taking Eleanor Roosevelt's advice: "Do one thing every day that scares you." Just like me, Monica, and Nick, it didn't take long for Hanai, Firefly, and Piper to become good friends.
That's how it is much of the time, right? The things we think are so scary turn out to not be so scary after all. And in the process of taking action in the face of our fears, we grow -- more confident, more accomplished, more joyful.
I have to tell you, the first time I sent a poem out to a contest, I was scared. The first, second, and third time I did a radio commentary -- yep, scared, scared, scared. The day I walked into Covenant Presbyterian's Recreation Center, where I now host most of my classes, to ask if they'd be willing to let me teach there -- terrified. I now find that laughable.
What I don't find laughable, still, is how scared I was after I agreed to write a book called
Spinning Words into Gold in time to share it at CPCC's upcoming Literary Festival. Because I remember so well how hard it was to put myself on the line, and risk proving to myself what I was so afraid was true -- that I didn't have it in me.
Well, guess what? I did ;). And you do, too. So go ahead and puff your fur all up like Hanai and Firefly if you must, but do the thing that scares you anyway. Start today with one tiny step.
(Like maybe coming to one of the two coastal writing retreats -- this weekend or next? I find packing very scary myself!) Scroll on down for details -- there are three open spaces this weekend, and one the next. And below that is this week's writing prompt. Have a happy Halloween tomorrow, and I hope you had a happy National Cat Day yesterday. (If you didn't know yesterday was National Cat Day, no worries. I just found out today myself. Isn't it great that my cat photo was all ready to share?) Here's to the other side of a worthwhile scare, Maureen
Upcoming WordPlay THE COASTAL WRITING RETREAT: Connect with Your Creativity at the Sunset Inn
Renew yourself, whether you are a practicing writer, closet writer, or as-yet-to-pick-up-the-pen writer.The techniques and prompts we'll use will spur your imagination, and can be used to create nonfiction, fiction, and/or poetry -- the choice is yours. There will be ample free time to savor your private room with king-sized bed, private bath and balcony, the large porches with rocking chairs and swings, and the coastal setting. The Sunset Inn is a five-minute walk from Sunset Beach and is next to a peaceful marsh where herons and cranes live. You'll have your choice of rooms, each with its own distinctive style and color scheme. You'll return home refreshed, with new ideas and energy for your writing. $438 includes writing sessions, two nights' lodging, two breakfasts and Saturday lunch (hotel tax and Saturday dinner at a local restaurant not included).
WHERE: The Sunset Inn, 9 North Shore Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
WHEN: Friday, November 1 - Sunday, November 3, 2013*
OR Friday, November 8 - Sunday, November 10, 2013*
(*Two separate retreats.Please note that Friday, November 8- Sunday, November 10 will be a PROJECT BOOK Retreat with additional focus on the process of bringing a book into being.)
TO REGISTER: Contact the Sunset Inn at 888.575.1001 or 910.575.1000 (if you would like to handpick your room, view your choices here first, then call). Because the Inn is holding rooms for you, our participants, they are blocked off as unavailable online. Register soon by phone -- this is a popular event and there are only 8 spaces available each weekend. The Inn will hold your reservation with a credit card.
EVERY PICTURE HOLDS A STORY (Writing Inspired by Visual Images)
Would you enjoy using pictures, post cards, and other visual art as writing inspiration? Are you interested in preserving the stories your photographs could tell, for yourself or future generations? Come explore the use of visual images as a means to create powerful fiction, non-fiction, and/or poetry and learn foolproof methods for capturing treasured family stories. Participants are encouraged to bring images of their own they would like to work with, especailly photographs. A wide variety of images will be provided as well. Also needed: a notebook and pen. All levels welcome. $49 /1 session. WHERE:
Queens University Sports Complex, Tyvola Road
WHEN: Monday, November 18, 9:30am-12:30pm
TO REGISTER:
http://lifelong.queens.edu/CourseStatus.awp?&course=13FPEPHS
See http://wordplaynow.com/current.htm for more details and more WordPlay opportunities.
WordPlay Now! Writing Prompt
This is WordPlay -- so why not revel in the power and potential of one good word after another? This week, it's "scare." Each day this week, do one thing that scares you to further your writing dreams. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. Write something scary. As one of my writing heroes, Natalie Goldberg, puts it:
"Go for the jugular. If something scary comes up, go for it. That's where the energy is. Otherwise, you'll spend all your time writing around whatever makes you nervous. It will probably be abstract, bland writing because you're avoiding the truth. Hemingway said, "Write hard and clear about what hurts." Don't avoid it. It has all the energy. Don't worry, no one ever died of it. You might cry or laugh, but not die." 2. Share your writing with someone. If it's the first time you've ever done this, choose a kind someone. (Hint: your mother may or may not be a good choice. Mine fell asleep while she was reading writing of mine. Okay, it may have been the medication, but still...)
3. Put your writing out there. Risk rejection. If you get rejected, you'll discover that you can live through it. And if you don't, then you will be very happy you tried. |
MAUREEN RYAN GRIFFIN, an award-winning poetry and nonfiction writer, is the author of Spinning Words into Gold, a Hands-On Guide to the Craft of Writing, a grief workbook entitled I Will Never Forget You
, and two collections of poetry, This Scatter of Blossoms and When the Leaves Are in the Water. She believes, as author Julia Cameron says, "We are meant to midwife dreams for one another."
Maureen also believes that serious "word work" requires serious WordPlay, as play is how we humans best learn -- and perform. What she loves best is witnessing all the other dreams that come true for her clients along the way. Language, when used with intentionality and focus, is, after all, serious fuel for joy. Here's to yours! |
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