Volume VIII, Issue 2
January 14, 2019
Dear ,
Some years ago, an online program I took—perhaps one led by Oprah and Deepak Chopra's or Louise Hays—we were given the assignment to stop at every mirror we passed, look ourselves in the eyes, and repeat the words, "I see you, I accept you, I
love you."
I found this a difficult, sometimes excruciating practice, but definitely worthwhile. [For one thing, I don't criticize myself (or my writing!) nearly as much as I used to.]
One day, I realized that taking this practice of "I see you, I accept you, I love you" from my mirror out into the world would make a big difference to me and everyone I encountered in a day. After all, isn't that really what we all want down
deep—to be seen, accepted, and loved just as we are?
There's an extra gift here for us writers—this deep seeing, grounded in acceptance and love, offers us rich subject matter.
One of the things that grew out of this process for me is a practice that I call, "TAG, I'M IT" (more on that later). Every (well, almost every) day, I actively look for what my hours hold that I have to be thankful for, what I can acknowledge myself and others for, and what gifts come to me, like a
phone call from a friend I haven't talked to for a long while, a compliment from someone about my writing, the spark or a writing idea, a synchronicity that makes me smile, etc.
I adore this practice. This year, I've taken on actively thanking people who have brightened my days—recently or long ago—so I can be on the giving as well as the receiving end of this abundance.
Yesterday, Diane Haldane, a student of mine whose writing touched my heart deeply, came to mind. Though she moved to Virginia a number of years ago, I still think of her often. She's not only a fine write, she's hilarious, smart as a whip, and amazingly kind and generous. (In my writing guide, Spinning Words into Gold, I tell about the time I mentioned in passing that I wished
I had a laptop to take on a retreat with me, and she immediately offered to lend me one. And then she did.)
I decided to reach out to Diane and say hi, and ended up spending a wonderful 30 minutes or so reading her Facebook posts. I smiled, I "liked," I "loved," and I laughed, especially when I saw this photo of Diane taken by her daughter. (I have an orange kitty, too.)
Diane with her dog Finn curled beside her and her cat, Pip, plopped on top
One of Diane's posts was a very serendipitous synchronicity, given my current emphasis on seeing, accepting, and loving AND on noticing "gifts" that arrive in unexpected places, including inspirations for writing.
Reading her tale about her encounter with a waitress made me want to scrap my zine plans and feature Diane and this story instead. Diane, still as generous as ever, messaged back ta quick "yes."
Yay! "Princess Apostrophe" herself appears in the Word-zine today! (Read on and you'll see what I'm talking about. I hope you're inspired by Diane's story, too.)
Two notes before I go:
- Both my January Under Construction class, which starts this Wednesday, January 16th, in Charlotte, and the WordPlay Coastal Writing Retreat at Sunset Beach, NC from February 22 to 24, have just one spot left, so
nab your seat now if you want to take part!
- I'm hosting a Groundhog Day Open House the afternoon of February 2nd! I'll be celebrating the publication of TAG, I’M IT, A Daily Practice of Thanks-giving, Act-knowledge-ment, and Gratitude. But I'm even more excited to hang out in person with as many WordPlayers as I can and "act-knowledge" and celebrate YOUR accomplishments. Details below.
Love and light,
Maureen
Upcoming WordPlay
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: YOUR WRITING
(Fulfilling Writing Dreams & Goals; Creating New Writing; Revising & Polishing Your Writing)
1 spot left! Starts this Wednesday!
This class is designed to fulfill your writing dreams and projects. You’ll set goals and support structures and watch your writing flow! You’ll also get feedback on your work (any genre) and learn revision tools and methods. Through examples of accomplished writers, you’ll learn techniques to aid you right where you are in the
process.
WHERE: Covenant Presbyterian Recreation Center, 1000 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, 28204. Click here for map.
WHEN: 12 Wednesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. – noon, starting
January 16.
COST: $435
TO REGISTER: Please email us at info@wordplaynow.com for details. Questions? I'll be glad to talk with you!
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YOU'RE INVITED TO THE WORDPLAY
GROUNDHOG DAY OPEN HOUSE!
DROP IN BETWEEN 1 AND 5 P.M.
ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND
AT THE WORDPLAY STUDIO
NEAR STONECREST SHOPPING CENTER
IN SOUTH CHARLOTTE.
There’ll be take-home writing prompts,
book giveaways, mingling with fellow writers,
and other fun. Everyone attending will have
(if desired) the opportunity to practice his or her
"elevator speech" for a published book or one in progress
and to put out copies of one of their own books for sale
(with prior approval).
Hope you can drop by. I’d love to visit and talk writing with you!
I'll also be unveiling my new book,
TAG, I’M IT,A Daily Practice of Thanks-giving,
Act-knowledge-ment, and Gratitude,
so that, if you'd like to try out this process,
you'll have detailed directions
and a dedicated place to record your own daily
thanks-giving, "act-knowledge-ments"
(A bit of "WordPlay I'll explain in a future zine),
and gifts that you're grateful for—
that's the "TAG" part. The "I'm It?"
That's about choosing three most-important-to-you
"acts" (actions, accomplishments, etc.)
you'll do the next day. (Bill Murray, in the movie,
Groundhog Day, sure did this in style!)
WANT TO COME?
RSVP to info@wordplaynow.com
for directions & details.
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COASTAL WRITING RETREAT
AT THE SUNSET INN
Connect with Your Creativity at the Sunset Inn (Writing—and more—as Renewal and Inspiration)
1 spot left!
Renew yourself and reconnect with your own creativity, 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. $418 + room tax for the weekend
beginning Friday, February 22nd through Sunday, February 24th. The Coastal Writing Retreat includes writing sessions, two nights’ lodging, two breakfasts and Saturday lunch (hotel tax and Saturday dinner at a local restaurant not included).
Want to extend your retreat? If you’d like to stay another day to write, or to just enjoy the beach, the Inn is offering Coastal Writing Retreat participants the opportunity to stay Sunday night at half price.
(Extra writing retreat sessions are a possibility too. Email info@wordplaynow.com if you’re interested.)
WHERE: The Sunset Inn, 9 North Shore Dr., Sunset Beach, NC 28468
WHEN: Friday, February 22nd – Sunday, February 24th, 2019
COST: $458 + room tax for the weekend
TO REGISTER: Please contact the Sunset Inn directly at 888.575.1001 or 910.575.1000. If you would like to handpick your room, view your choices here first, then call.
More WordPlay opportunities here.
Maureen's mentorship—and friendship—changed my life.
Diane, who lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia, describes herself as "Single mom with a newly-emptied nest, figuring out how to navigate life alone... and on the front burner."
Though most of her writing is showcased in Facebook statuses these days, she still has grand dreams of making the New York Times Best Seller list!
What Diane says about WordPlay
I remain forever grateful to Maureen, who, nearly two decades ago, helped me to find my voice, which had been buried under a big pile of grief. Maureen's mentorship—and friendship—changed my life. I'd give anything to still live near enough to take advantage of her WordPlay offerings; her classes are one of the things I miss most about Charlotte.
I took a client to dinner tonight and after coming to our table several times, our waitress asked me if I was any good at grammar (she’d already asked the man one table
over, who looked at her like she was nuts and shook his head ‘no’).
I told her I was once known to my friends as Princess Apostrophe (😂) and asked why she was asking. She said she’d written something and was stuck on what punctuation to use. I said I’d help if I could.
She returned a few minutes later, settled down in the booth next to me, and proceeded to show me a poem—a poem she was clearly very proud of. It had a 4th grade feel
to it but it was obvious it had come from her heart. I helped her to work out what punctuation would be best and made a fuss over her words and rhymes. She beamed... and she thanked me by giving me a laminated version of said poem (sans suggested punctuation).
I’m going to use that laminated poem as a bookmark and I’m going to try to remember that people need to be seen—not just for what they might be in the moment, but for what they want to be in their heart of
hearts, especially if they’re willing to show you. There’s a poet in each of us... but many of us aren’t brave enough to show the world. Bless those of us who are. 💛
~ Diane Haldane
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 "seen."
PROMPT: This week, as often as you
can, keep your eyes open to the world around you and "see, accept, and love" the people, places, and situations you encounter. Choose one experience and capture it in writing in any way you like, including fiction or poetry.
It's fun to play with prompts in community with fellow writers, and to be able to share the results when you're done. You can find out about WordPlay classes, workshops, and retreats here.
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 three collections of poetry, Ten Thousand Cicadas Can't Be Wrong, 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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