Volume III, Issue 42
November 17, 2014
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What a wonderful, inspiring experience it was to spend this past weekend at the lovely Sunset Inn supporting these four special women to envision and plan bringing their
books into being. Getting to do this is an answer to one of my prayers! Dear ,
I don't know about you, but I believe in the power of prayer -- whether it's a
heartfelt "Thank you" or a simple "Help," or a lifting up of others, as novelist Ellis Peters describes: “He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding in his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands, all those people who were in stress or grief," prayer provides such a sense of connection.
People of any and all faiths -- and even those who'd say they have no faith -- pray at many different times for many different reasons. As the 13th century Sufi and mystic poet Rumi said, "There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the
ground."
I thought about this as I was, of all things, watching "The Voice" last week (I confess that I am a sucker for shows that feature singers). I hadn't thought of Aretha Franklin's "I Say a Little Prayer for You" for years -- and contestant Sugar Joans did a
lovely job with it. (Not to compare with the Queen of Soul, though, in my opinion.)
As I had already planned on featuring WordPlayer Mary Killian's humorous essay about her ten-year-old son Rory's prayer life that cracked up our whole "Gift of Memoir" class, this song felt very timely. And also timely was hearing The Writer's Almanac's poem of the day, "A Child's Evening Prayer" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I could make the case that God -- or the Universe -- was affirming the WordPlay Word of the Week!
I spent a good number of hours praying for people I know -- and people I don't know -- as I walked Sunset
Beach last week. It's one of my favorite places to pray. You'll have a chance to write about praying in the prompt below. But first, you may want to check out this video I made that blends "The Lord's Prayer" with a yoga sun salutation. My prayer for you today is for the fulfillment of your best, deepest dreams for yourself -- in
writing, and in every other area of your life. Love and light,
Maureen Upcoming WordPlay
WINTER WRITING RETREAT (Writing — and More — as Renewal / Creating New Writing) Renew and delight yourself. The Winter Writing Retreat is an opportunity to create new pieces of writing and/or new possibilities for our lives. Enjoy various seasonal prompts; they have
not failed to elicit beautiful material that can be shaped into essays, poems, stories, or articles. After a communal lunch, you’ll have private time which can be used to collage, work with a piece of writing from the morning, or play with a number of other writing prompts and methods. You’ll take home new ideas, new drafts, and new possibilities. $97 includes lunch and supplies. WHERE: South Charlotte area. Details will be provided upon registration.
WINTER WRITING RETREAT: Saturday, December 20, 2014,10 am – 5 pm
TO REGISTER: Register online here. Or email info@wordplaynow.com for details on registering via mail. -------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU WISH YOUR FACE WAS SMILING OUT FROM A COASTAL RETREAT PHOTO? HERE ARE YOUR NEXT CHANCES TO ATTEND! COASTAL WRITING RETREAT (Writing — and More — as Renewal and Inspiration)
For information about this retreat, click
here. WHERE: The Sunset Inn, 9 North Shore Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
WHEN: Friday, February 20 – Sunday, February 22, 2015
TO
REGISTER: Contact the Sunset Inn at 888-575-1001 (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. --------------------------------------------------------------
THE HEALING POWER OF WORDS
RETREAT (Writing As a Healing Process) What benefits can writing provide – physically, mentally, spiritually? Are some ways of writing more healing than others? And can we create quality literary work as we heal? Note: Tears honored. Laughter likely. Inspiration guaranteed. For more information about this coastal retreat with a healing focus, click here. WHERE: The Sunset Inn, 9 North Shore Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
WHEN: Friday, February 27 – Sunday, March 1, 2015
TO REGISTER: Contact the Sunset Inn at 888-575-1001 (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. More WordPlay opportunities here. WordPlay Success Story
"Maureen has helped me focus my energy and thoughts. With useful tools and techniques, plus the loving support of my writing group, I am able to put my stories on paper and share them."
Meet Mary Killian
Mary Killian's initial motives for writing were genuine enough. She thought her children were hilarious and her story, compelling. If only she could figure out a way to explain. High Wire Girl is the circus tent that showcases each unique
performance.Check out Mary’s blog here: www.highwiregirl.blogspot.com Check out Mary’s Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/mary.killian.10
What Mary says about WordPlay I didn't realize how wonderful writing could make me feel -- about myself, my memories, my ability to learn and grow as a person. Maureen has helped me focus my energy and thoughts. With useful tools and techniques, plus the loving support of my writing group, I am able to put my stories on paper and share them. I feel capable and qualified to call
myself a writer. What an exciting time in my life! Featured Writing
Cake is Awesome
by
Mary Killian
I like to think I'm cool and modern. For the most part, that's what I see when I look in the mirror. And more importantly, when I search inside my heart for the answers to difficult questions. Given my age, experience and level of maturity, I try to extend a vibe of modern coolness across the board. At least I hope so. This position keeps the door open for growth and further development. Plus, I have this tee-shirt of a cake holding an electric guitar, with the
message being "Cake is Awesome!" I wear that occasionally. It appeals to the youth. I feel as though my relationship with God should reflect this contemporary composure. I am most peaceful when He and I are on the same page. When I go to Mass, I know I belong there. I hope the same for my sons as they begin to embark on their own spiritual journeys and get to know the kind of God who can help them have the best lives
ever.
Church is nice. I enjoy that sixty minutes devoted exclusively to guiding my thoughts through each story and song. I say my prayers. I think about the people I love. I glance over at my boys, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be their mom.
In the middle of the ceremony when the little kids are called to the altar and they file sweetly into the adjoining room for the simplified version of the gospel, I watch Rory look
them over."I had no idea they still did this anymore," he whispers into my shoulder. Perhaps he is under the impression they shut the operation down after he made his Holy Communion a few years ago.
"There's no reason to keep running this program," Father Ambrose might suggest to the Monsignor during the pancake breakfast after Mass. "Rory Killian sits with his mother these days. Clearly, he is the best of all the children ever brought before the
Lord."
My youngest is in the fifth grade now. He kills time in the pew with his older brother, Desmond, and me. There are no physical breaks in the torture of his organized religion. They've also got a new policy at St. Matthew's. You have to be eleven years old to go to the bathroom without a parent. Des can stand up and walk out whenever he wants. If you're ten, you need to use the toilet before you leave the house. That's the rule. Rory Malcolm is trapped.
"Mom,
can I look through your pocketbook?" he asks.
"What for?"
"Something to do."
"No, honey."
"How about I just tidy things up in there?"
"Not necessary."
We stand and then, we sit. Desmond and I sing. Rory attempts to braid one of his shoelaces. I give his other foot a little kick.
"Stop that," I say. "Spend some time with Jesus."
"I already did."
"When?"
Read full essay here.
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 "prayer." PROMPT: Here are two options:
1. Write a prayer from any faith perspective, of any length, in any form, for or by anyone you like. (Many examples from a number of different faiths can be found here.)
2. Consider how, when, where, and why you (or the subjects of your writing) pray. And for (or about) what.
Write a scene, essay, story, or poem that includes prayer in some manner, like Ellis Peters's novel A Morbid Taste for Bones that I quote from above. (Other examples are Mary Oliver's poem "The Summer Day and John Irving's novel A Prayer for Owen Meany.)
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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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