Volume X, Issue 9
March 3, 2021
Dear ,
In this 455th issue of the Word-zine, I am reissuing, with a bit of an update, issue 142, from February 16, 2015. I have a nice Google Sheets chart that lists every issue, along with the word of the week, author, and writing piece, so that I don't repeat myself, as I was about to do with this word of the week.
But it was such a fun synchronicity to find that this issue features Chris Daly, a writer I have had the pleasure of working with for many years! Chris has been on a hiatus and just came back in January for a new WordPlay class, so the timing is perfect! I'm adding an update, because a lot has changed in the past six years.
For one thing, I have two more grandchildren—Harry and Ellie have joined Rhys, who is mentioned in 2015 zine. And for another, Dr. Seuss, who inspired this radio commentary I wrote way back when, and who inspired me to write about
reading aloud again—is in the news. Seuss Enterprises reports, according to NBC News, that "Six Dr. Seuss books — including And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran the Zoo — will stop being published because of racist and insensitive imagery."
I'm so glad that our country, or at least many people in it, has come so far in striving to create a culture where everyone, no matter what race, religion, gender, or other difference, is treated with respect and receives the same opportunities. (And I personally think that Dr. Seuss himself became more enlightened over time, given the themes in his later books, including "The
Sneetches.") And it's wonderful that Seuss Enterprises is on this team!
But I also hope that we keep the good as we eliminate the harmful. Because Seuss's books have turned many children into avid readers over the years, including my husband, who didn't like any other children's books but Seuss's! Here are our grandsons Rhys (a few years ago) and Harry (yesterday), celebrating Richard's favorite childhood author.
Alright, onward to the original 2015 zine, and Chris Daly's heartwarming poem, and your prompt! It all begins with Rhys and Harry's mom!
This little girl grew up to become the mother of my grandson, whom I have the pleasure of reading Good Night, Moon to every other Friday, among other occasions. He loves it as much as his mother did, way back when. And I am so grateful to have another toddler in my lap—or next to me on the couch—to read aloud to.
Reading aloud is not just good for little kids, though. There's a reason I read good writing aloud in all my writing classes—and encourage all my participants to read their own work aloud. There's no better way
to tell if your writing is fully polished and ready to go—or where revising and polishing is still needed.
Reading aloud is good for everybody, no matter how young or old they are, and it's especially good for writers. Yes, that means you! You can read more about that from WordPlayer Chris Daly, who's featured in this week's zine. Chris fell in love with the hilarious poet Billy Collins in large part because of hearing him read his poems aloud. Here's one of his that made us both laugh. Those adorable children do grow up to be teenagers, don't they? Just as my daughter did. (Click here to read an essay I wrote on the pleasures of reading aloud back when she was a teenager.)
Love and light,
Maureen
WordPlay Success Story
"Maureen is a magnet for writers with tremendous hearts and I feel blessed to be part of her world."
Meet Chris Daly
Chris Daly found Maureen Ryan Griffin ten years ago and has benefited by being a part of her world in so many ways. Chris has been published both in Maureen's book Spinning Words into Gold, and also Glimmer Train. Her favorite writers are David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs, Billy Collins and Rainbow Rowell. Chris is the proud mother of Ally and James, dogs Jersey and Calvin, and wife of Gartner, who still makes her laugh after 26 years of marriage. They have lived in Mooresville, North Carolina for the past 12 years, and recently moved to Lake Norman, where lake-view
sunsets are gifts she is so grateful for every week.
What Chris says about WordPlay
As we get older, we don't often have superheroes in our lives, but for me Maureen Ryan Griffin is a superhero. I imagine her wearing a mask and cape—flying around—sharing words and her powers—rescuing us when we are in trouble and being there to offer a hand to help us stand on
our own.
Ten years ago my friend Diana gave me the gift of Maureen, a catalyst that generated groups of women creating words of art. Each week Maureen brings her classes a sampling of precious words she has searched for. We get a taste -- a savoring of poems, essays, memoirs. The truth is, no words, no superhero essay can relay what Maureen has brought to me and so many others. There is not a word big enough that
I could submit to describe what she has generously provided to me and so many. Maureen is a magnet for writers with tremendous hearts and I feel blessed to be part of her world.
Featured
Writing
Read Your Words Aloud
by
Chris
Daly
The other night I wanted to share my poem “The Kathies” with my husband Gartner He said “I'll read
it" but I said “No, I want to read it to you”
In thinking about that I realized how important it is to read your words aloud
Think of the difference— A Billy Collins poem lying there Flat, black and white, lifeless in the pages of a book Then picture Billy standing there on a stage or in a bookshop in his V neck sweater, glasses down on his nose Taking time, taking pauses for our laughter, for our tears Speaking with a wry sense of irony or wit about
the curveballs life throws us like only Billy can
To speak your language with all its pauses and inflections to caress some words and
linger over others like a cup of fresh brewed coffee
Others you pass by quickly like that person you don't want to see in the grocery store, and don't want to talk to, so you hide, spy-like, in another aisle
Still there are those groups of words roaring higher and stronger together waves rolling, crashing and pounding on to the beach, salted spray everywhere, with mountains of nature's power
So the next time you write Let your voice be heard
Speak your words, your language, your observations of life
aloud Give your audience a glimpse into the world of your mind Your country, your home, your soul, your heart Read your words aloud for others to hear
Or maybe take the time to honor your spirit— Read your words aloud just for you
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 "aloud."
PROMPT:
Write, in any genre you enjoy, about reading aloud as Chris did in her poem. (Click here to read another example besides Chris's, an essay I wrote on the pleasures of reading aloud back when she was a teenager.) If you're a fiction writer, weave a bit of reading aloud into a scene.
And if you don't edit your own work by reading it aloud, or deepen your craft by reading aloud particularly lovely passages you come across, try both of these activities this week.
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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