Volume IX, Issue 50
December 9, 2020
Dear ,
You might recognize the words in the subject line as those of French writer, philosopher, physicist, mathematician, inventor, and Catholic theologian (oh, and child prodigy) Blaise Pascal, born in 1623. The full quote, which I've loved since I first encountered it in one of my high school yearbooks, is: “The heart has its reasons which reason
knows nothing of . . . We know the truth not only by the reason, but by the heart."
I can't think of a better quote to introduce you to beloved WordPlayer Joan Lafleur and her new book, Spirit Songs: My Life as a Poem. Joan is one of the most inspiring, courageous people I know. I met Joan some twelve or thirteen years ago, when she took a class with me at Queens University, and she went on to become
a longtime member of a "Write from Your Heart" group I led at St. John's Baptist Church. Joan suffered a debilitating stroke some years after that, and when, after many months of rehab, she settled in at Merrywood on Park Senior Center, I gathered the core members of that group to meet there to write with Joan. Her beautiful spirit still shines bright, despite the physical effects of her stroke, and beautiful words still flow from her pen! Here she is at Merrywood,
on left, with WordPlayer Carol Fore Injaychock, author of Matters of the Heart: A Cancer Journey.
Like Carol's Matters of the Heart, a good portion of Joan's newly published Spirit Songs was written during our time together in class over the years.
Today's featured writing, a poem entitled "Reasons to Listen to Rachmaninoff's Vespers at 6:30 A.M.," is very special to me. Joan brought it to our class at St. John's in late 2008, shortly before I lost my father. She also brought a CD player, and played us a few selections from Rachmaninoff's Vespers.
It was so moving that I went home that night and ordered a copy. This was the music that accompanied me to Erie as I spent my father's last days with him, and it is very sacred to me. A good reason to share it with you, ne c'est pas? (You might have known I'd work at least a bit of French into this zine, in honor of Joan's French background, as well as Blaise
Pascal's.)
I hope you'll take a few moments to listen to Rachmaninoff, at the link provided below, as you read Joan's poem. You might ask, "For what reason?"
Because that's how Joan would like you to experience it. And because it's such beautiful music. And because you deserve to dwell in peace and beauty for a spot of time, whatever time of day you are reading this.
I also hope you'll check out Spirit Songs, which Joan is selling for only $4.10. What a bargain!
And after you do that, I hope you'll scroll down to this week's prompt and spend some time exploring reasons, especially the ones our hearts know.
Love and light,
Maureen
WordPlay
Opportunities
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: YOUR WRITING
(Fulfilling Writing Dreams & Goals; Creating New Writing; Revising & Polishing Your Writing)
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. Each week, writing prompts will generate material for new writing or further a piece in process, whatever your preferred genre. Through examples of accomplished writers, you’ll learn techniques to aid you right where you are in the process.
WHEN: Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning, or Thursday evening classes, dependent on openings available, starting in January 2021. Specific dates for the 12 sessions to be announced.
WHERE: Via Zoom, unless otherwise noted.
COST: $435 for 12 classes.
TO REGISTER: Please email here to start the registration process by filling out a short “Clarity Tool” to share your writing goals and where you are in the process. (Anywhere you are is a perfect place to begin.) Then we'll have a conversation to answer any questions and to ensure that this class is a great fit for you.
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How Do I Say
Goodbye? and Praying You Goodbye
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. Learn more here.
HERE’S WHAT YOU GET:
- 23 poetry creation tools, delivered one per day (Monday through Friday) to your inbox. 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
- 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 here 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 Joan Lafleur
In addition to writing, Joan has taught French, English, and English as a Second Language for a total of 30 years at Mars Hill College, Forsyth Country Day, Providence Day, West Charlotte, and South Meck High School. She retired from teaching in June 2013, and has enjoyed being a tutor at International
House, helping immigrants learn English and prepare for the citizenship exam, and also being a writing tutor.
What Joan says about WordPlay
“For many years I have played around with writing (poetry and nonfiction mostly), but I never thought of myself as "a writer" until I started taking WordPlay classes. I enjoyed the first class I took with Maureen through the Continuing Education program at
Queens University so much, I took an essay class and began to stretch myself even further and gain more skills to help me teach essay writing to my ESL students at South Meck High School.
I began to feel a strong kinship with Maureen and the other writers I met. The third series of classes was at St. John's Baptist Church, where we had a truly special group of writers that shared our heartfelt experiences, our love of writing, and our love for Maureen, who encouraged us all along the
way.
I was a part of this writing group for two years. During that time I wrote an essay about an inspiration I had while visiting the local Wal-Mart at Christmas that was included in an anthology called Imagining Heaven. The culmination of this opportunity to be a writer was a chance to read my essay at the literary festival at CPCC in 2011. Maureen made that thrilling experience possible for me.
Now that I have retired from teaching and have more time to devote to being a writer, which has become a "full-blown dream", I have written a book of family stories based on old photographs called Not Without Them: A Family History of the Carter, Terry, Vining, and Williams Families. And now, I've put together a book of my poetry,
Spirit Songs: My Life as a Poem. Maureen, as an editor and mentor, has helped me move forward. Her
love, dedication, and knowledge are an inspiration that I value very much."
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 “reason.”
PROMPT:
In a course I took back in 2001, the facilitator asked us to choose an important decision we'd made in our lives, and then to share with a partner the reason we made the choice we did. And then, he led us through quite a list of individuals—from our mother, to a former boss, to our best friend, to our eighth grade teacher, to a celebrity we admired, to the president of the United States, and at least a few others—asking each time, "What reason would you give this person for making this decision?"
I found it fascinating to discover that my "reason" shifted, at least for some of the people on the list. (I cared way more about appearing smart, for example, and thus came up with a more esoteric reason.) Then, after all this, the facilitator said, "Okay, now tell your partner the real reason." I burst out laughing, which I believe was part of the intent. Can we truly know the real reason for each
of our decisions? Are we able to know ourselves this well, and be this honest?
PROMPT:
Set a timer for five minutes and make a list of impactful decisions you, or one of your characters, has made.
If it would be helpful or interesting to you, jot down the reason (or reasons) for your decision that you, or your character, would give to the individuals I listed above. Is this a "reason of the heart"? Of the mind? Of the body? Of the spirit? Of a combination of these?
Then, write the story of this decision, in any genre you like, making sure to include the real reason you, or your character, made your particular choice.
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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