Paul Donovan , writer and poet, and my good friend

I am very sad today. My good friend, Paul Donovan, has  passed away. To those who received my email last night, there will not be a gathering at Parson's Pub  in Murphy today.

Paul was one of the most loyal members of our writing community and NCWN-West. He held a writing contest for many years for high school students in Cherokee County, NC. He served as our Cherokee County Representative and brought us  all together at ShoeBooties for readings each month. Like our present Writers Night Out, those were social gatherings as well.

Mary Ricketson, present Cherokee County Rep, told Paul about Reiki and how it might help him with his back pain, etc. That changed his life. He studied Reiki and became a Reiki Master. Soon he was teaching others, including my sister Gay. When Barry, my husband, was sick, Paul came out to our house and gave Barry Reiki treatments. He would not charge me for them.

He published his poetry in journals and in a book. I will post some of his poetry  here later. Paul took a couple of my memoir classes and wrote delightful stories of growing up in an Irish neighborhood in Pennsylvania. He made  some trips to Ireland and told me he would like to  live there. His stories about that country made me think I would like to live there also.,

He adored his beautiful wife, Ann, and my heart hurts for her today. Once again, I feel that life is too short and ends too suddenly. 

Gandi  said, "My life is my message." 

Paul has left us a good message by the way he lived his life. Be kind and generous, enjoy life and  love others. Persevere even when life is  difficult. And love dogs. He and I had great conversations about our dogs.

If only we all could live such a life.

Paul Donovan class, Saturday, May 7

Paul Donovan will be teaching at Writers Circle on May 7. See the Schedule Page above or click on this link to read more about Donovan and his class.
http://profilesandpedigrees.blogspot.com/

Paul Donovan teaches Writing with Spirit

Lucy, Peg, Estelle behind Paul Donovan who instructed a class today at Writers Circle. Writing with Spirit, a class that some say resembles a therapy class but creates conversation that surprises us as we study how meditation can help unleash our creativity. We discuss the ancient enneagrams to learn about ourselves, our characters in stories and poems, and methods to uncover memories of our youth.
Through what we learn we hope to delve deeper into ourselves, our writing and produce work that touches the deepest emotions of our readers.

Paul Donovan is a regular instructor for Writers Circle. He has published a poetry book, Ramblings of an Idiot. He is a Reiki Master and teacher of Reiki. He lives in Murphy, NC.

Paul Donovan's Class enlightened us

We met in my studio today, Saturday, and students came through the rain to learn and listen and laugh during Paul Donovan's class on Spiritual Writing. Not knowing what to expect, I was delighted that the seven of us seemed on the save wave length.

I have decided to get back on a routine of meditating again. I believe that meditation will help me to be more open to deeper thoughts and feelings that will enhance my writing.

We had a good time discussing Enneagrams and our position on the chart. We hope to have another class with Paul soon. If you can, you might want to join us.

Writing and Poetry is Alive and Well in Cherokee County

Paul Donovan, founder of the Poetry and Essay Contests in Cherokee County

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the award ceremony for Poetry and Essay Contest winners in middle schools in Cherokee County. Mary Jo Dyer, principal of The Learning Center!, a charter school in Murphy, NC facilitated this contest, part of the original contest begun by Paul Donovan who, with support of the Cherokee Scout Newspaper, organized the Poetry and Essay contests for high school students eight years ago.

Below: Two essay winners for Cherokee County High Schools.

Poetry and Essay Contest Winners - Cherokee County Middle Schools

Essay Contest Winner for Cherokee County High Schools Contest

In a culture beset with admiration for athletics, it is wonderful to see young poets and writers rewarded for their excellence. As always, when I attend these ceremonies, I am amazed when I read or hear the work by these young people.

***Poetry winners for the Cherokee County High Schools were stranded in Europe at the time of the award ceremony so we have no photos of them.

I read a good post by Jackie Lee Miles on A Good Blog is Hard To Find
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
BRING YOUR CHARACTERS TO LIFE



Jackie gives great advice about characterization. I have saved this to refer to when I attempt my next piece of fiction. I enjoy taking a prompt like the ones I receive in my Inbox almost every day from Peggy Millan.

When I don't have time to work on that prompt that day, I save it in an e-mail folder so I can always find something handy to prick my sensitivities and provoke me to write. Whether I write fiction or non-fiction or poetry, the prompts in my arsenal help me overcome my writer's block.

Our classes at my studio in Hayesville, NC - Writers' Circle - is prompting writers and those who want to be writers to get out their pens and keyboards.

Mary Michelle Keller's class at Writers' Circle beginning Wednesday, May 19 and continuing for the next two weeks, involves a bit of genealogy and a bit of writing. The class is filling and space is limited. Anyone who plans to take the class needs to contact Mary Mike now to give her time to do the research needed before the day of class. mmkeller@brmemc.net

Soon we will add Paul Donovan as one of our instructors. Look for more on his classes in July or August.

2011 Looks Good at Writers Circle

WRITERS CIRCLE IN SPRING

Writers Circle will start classes in March of 2011. I am happy to note that instructors from last year will be back. Estelle Rice, Rosemary Royston, Michelle Keller, Paul Donovan, Karen Holmes and I will teach from March through September.

Rosemary Royston, Poet, teacher, and Program Coordinator for NCWN West.

Add to those talented writers and teachers, Scott Owens, Maureen Ryan Griffin and Joann Dropp who are from Hickory NC, Charlotte NC, and Kennesaw, GA.

We promise you some great writing classes.

Estelle Rice kicks off the season on Saturday March 12 with Polish Your Prose and Poetry. Register now. Call 828-389-4441 or email glendabeall@msn.com

The three hour class fee is $30. Coffee, tea and pastries will be served.