Volume IX, Issue 45
November 4, 2020
Dear ,
I knew I was going to feature Fred Zirm today—I just wasn't sure which poem from his upcoming wry, wise, warm, and often witty Object Lessons I'd pick.
What should the word of the week be?
After yesterday's long evening of watching election results tick in, and a long day of checking for updates far more often than I should, the word "maybe" jumped off its place at the bottom of a page. Perfect, I thought. A wry selection. Because that's just where we are—stuck in the land of "maybe" until all the votes are counted. There are times, to quote Fred, that "I miss maybe," but right now isn't one of them.
Meanwhile, I've got a Word-zine to get out, and I'm excited to introduce you to Fred and his poetry. He and I have been friends for a number of years, ever since I heard him read at an open mic at Chautauqua Institution. It's rare for me to beg for a copy of someone's poem at an open mic—but that's just what happened, and Fred was kind enough to oblige. The following summer, at a literary potluck dinner for which he was the master of ceremonies, he read a poem of his called, appropriately, "Potluck" and I had to have a copy of that one, too. (I helped put away a number of folding chairs before I asked this time. A poem stalker has to do something to earn
her keep, after all). Here's a photo of me and Fred after a poetry reading we gave together at Chautauqua several years ago, by which time we'd become good friends.
I've been waiting for Fred to publish a book for a good long while, and I have to wait a few months longer, but at least I know there is no maybe about it. I've already ordered several copies of Object Lessons,
which, if you're so inclined, you, too, can purchase from my favorite publisher, Main Street Rag, at a substantial pre-order discount. (In the event you are, I've attached a mail-in form if you prefer this to ordering online.) But first, you can learn more about Object Lessons here and below, and also meet Fred, read one of his poems, and, of course, do this week's writing prompt.
Because writing is a great thing to occupy your mind with when you're waiting for a maybe to turn into what you hope will be a yes.
Love and light,
Maureen
I created the process shared in these two books in June of 2002, shortly after my mother died, as a way to mindfully mourn this loss—and celebrate her life. I shared it with a beloved friend, the Reverend Rebecca Taylor, when she lost her father, and she encouraged me to make it available to others. Here it is, in two versions, both of which offer quotes, reflections, prompts, and space to write about your loved one, as well as beautiful photographs by Wendy H. Gill that enhance each part of the process. Either
version makes a thoughtful condolence gift for a friend or family member.
How Do I Say Goodbye? is for those of any faith, with quotes from many different sources to accompany the process. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
Praying You Goodbye is specifically for Christians, with accompanying quotes from Scripture chosen by Reverend Rebecca Taylor. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
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POETRY ROCKS!
Would you like your writing—prose and/or poetry—to be more
graceful, powerful, beautiful? Do you sometimes find poetry confusing or intimidating and wish you could “crack the code”? Or do you enjoy writing and reading poems, but want a more thorough understanding of what makes a poem good? Then this poetry extravaganza is for you.
Expect a good time exploring what makes a poem a poem, gaining the knowledge you need to confidently create and revise poetry, and strengthening your writing skills in all genres.
It would be a joy and an honor to share what rocks about poetry with you.
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET:
- 23 poetry creation tools, delivered one per day (Monday through Friday) to your inbox—in honor of National Poetry month. Use them as you get them, use them when you can, use them over and over to create poems. Each tool zeroes in on one aspect of poetry and provides an innovative method to approach writing a poem. Many
of them are great for creating prose, too. The tools include:
* a purpose, so you’re clear what you will learn
* background information when helpful
* “how-to” directions to create a poem
* an example that illustrates the poetry tool in action
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
* “Hone Your Craft” suggestions for further exploration
* a short reflection to solidify the concepts covered
- A PDF document of each tool that you can print or save on your computer
- An audio recording of each tool, so you can learn by listening and/or reading
- Instruction on the role of audience, reading like a writer, and the process of revision, including a handy Revision Checkpoint Chart—this information can be applied to strengthen your prose as well as poetry
- Additional poetry resources
- An e-book that contains the information and resources covered, as well as your 23 poetry creation tools for ongoing use
WHERE: From the comfort of your own home, via the web.
WHEN: Any time you want! And once you receive all 23 tools, they’re yours to keep, which means that you can keep using them for years to come.
COST: $45
TO REGISTER: To pay with a check via mail, email info@wordplaynow.com for instructions. To register for Poetry Rocks! online, click here.
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TAG, I'M IT!
Both the year-long TAG, I'M IT! AND three-month TAG, I'M IT! journals offer—in no more than five to fifteen minutes—a simple way to recap and celebrate
the very best of each day of your life. The practice of writing out your “T’s” (things you’re thankful for), “A’s” (actions you can acknowledge yourself for), and “G’s” (gifts you’re grateful for) is a transformative one, especially combined with the final step, I’M IT!, in which you intentionally choose three do-able, most-important-to-you actions you’ll take the next day.
The TAG, I'M IT! journal grounds you in two important habits: keeping your focus on appreciating and celebrating the good in your life and intentionally accomplishing what matters most to you. You’ll also create a record of
your most meaningful, happiest events and experiences.
Start your journal—or restart, if needed—whenever you like. (Though a new year is a perfect time!)
An introduction with tips and ideas will help you make this practice your own. Soon, you’ll notice that you’re living your days with more joy, presence, purpose, and intention.
Thank you to Maureen Ryan Griffin for creating TAG I’M IT.
TAG, I’M IT is my new best friend. It’s a guided writing journal that helps me sort through the mental travels of my day. And it helps me zero in on the special moments by reflecting, acknowledging, and saying thank you for the invisible gifts collected in my daily journey.
“TAG” gives me joy. And it gives me a sense of peace. It helps me discover the small and large wonders around me.
“TAG” sits on my nightstand – it’s my last conversation of the day. And I feel satisfied when I turn off the light. When I write in my TAG, I’M IT journal, I’m giving myself a gift.
What a treasure!
~ T. D. Taegel
More WordPlay opportunities coming soon.
Stay posted!
Featured Writer
Meet Fred Zirm
After earning a B.A. and M.A. in English from Michigan State and an M.F.A. from the Playwrights Workshop at the University of Iowa, Fred Zirm spent nearly 40 years teaching English and drama at the Landon School in Bethesda, MD. Since his retirement, he has continued to direct plays but has also focused on writing poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. His work has been
published in about a dozen small literary magazines and anthologies, including Still Crazy, cahoodadoodaling, NEAT, Voices de la Luna, Greek Fire, and Objects in the Rearview Mirror. He lives with his wife and younger daughter in Rockville, MD.
What Fred Says about WordPlay
I first met Maureen through an open mic event at the Chautauqua Institution. We admired each other's poetry, and that admiration has grown into a friendship between us as people as well as writers. We have appeared together twice as part of the Authors' Hour series at Chautauqua, and I have been struck not only by the high quality of her poems but also by her warmth and openness
with the audience at such events. Whether she is the featured author or an audience member, her enthusiasm lights up the real or virtual room.
Maureen also showed her generous support when she offered to help me get Object Lessons published. She worked tirelessly at reading my poems and then making astute suggestions about phrasing, sequencing, formatting, etc. She even connected me with the eventual publisher, M. Scott Douglass at Main Street Rag.
I have never taken a class from Maureen, but she has taught me a lot about being a writer and about being a friend. My experience with her fully supports all the rave reviews I have heard or read about her classes. I also strongly recommend her as an editor. When you work, study, or just converse with Maureen, you get her undivided attention and her considerable wisdom.
An Elegy for Analog: June 12, 2009
On this day, analog TV gave up
the ghosts – and the snow and the tin foil
on the antenna and the test pattern at night
and the national anthem at dawn
and “this is a test” and horizontal hold
and the slap on the side before you phoned
the repairman who wore a uniform
and tubes that glowed like embers
and tube testers at the local hardware
and the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
and Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show
and opera singers and jugglers
on The Ed Sullivan Show
and families huddled around that black and white
campfire, eating Swanson’s TV dinners
before the sets became behemoths
carted off on gurneys
to make way for the flat screens, as slim
as trophy wives, to be put on a pedestal
and admired, picture perfect as only
a paint-by-number picture can be.
O101.OffOnOffOn.NoYesNoYes.
the supermodels say.
Digital is so decisive,
but sometimes I miss maybe.
from Object Lessons, which you can purchase at a substantial
pre-order discount here. (Click on "add to cart.")
I've attached a mail-in form if you prefer this to ordering online.
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 “maybe.”
PROMPT:
Write about a time when you (or one of your characters, if you are writing fiction) was living for a while with a big "maybe," either through your own choice, someone else's choice, or because of a particular situation. How did this feel? Would a definitive yes or no been more desirable? How long did this "maybe" go on?
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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