As a tribute to my Writing Class and Julaina Kleist-Corwin, our exceptional teacher and mentor, I performed my personal rendition of the old Leonard Cohen song “Hallelujah” today. When I decided to take up writing 18 months ago and discovered this insightful class of accomplished novelists, essayists, poets and yes, even musicians (that’s fellow writer Carl Gamez backing me up), I knew I had a lot to learn about the craft of writing. In the last year-and-a-half, the most important thing I’ve learned, my true “Aha Moment” or “Hallelujah,” is that writing is just plain hard work – and it is best to surround yourself with talented, supportive and disciplined masters of the craft. Today was my last class with these amazing writers since I’m moving out-of-state, but I will never forget my time well spent with Julaina and her Monday Morning Muses.
Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics revised by Carole MacLean
They say there was a secret chord
That we can play and please the Lord
That sounds just like the craft we all call writing
Sign up for class and what a gift
For minor cost but major lift with
Julaina and her Monday Morning Muses
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
If your faith is strong and you want the proof
Just come to class and she’ll give to you
All you need to keep your pen aflowin’
Through hero’s journey and archetypes
Hand in the homework and you’ll be psyched
To move past fear and face your dream of writing
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Well now I know that writing’s tough
And to come to class when it gets rough
It’s here I find support in fellow writers
Don’t walk the dog and make it fresh
Build the tension but don’t digress
Julaina shares her wisdom and her passion
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Baby we’ve been here before
We’ve seen this room, we’ve walked this floor
With POVs, antagonists, and mentors
Critiquing where the plot should arc
But writing’s not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Well maybe there’s a God above
But what I’ve learned is you gotta love
The craft of writing so the work goes through ya
It’s not a cry you hear at night
It’s not someone who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
And now it’s time to say good-bye
I hope that I won’t start to cry
As I thank you all for that which you have taught me.
You made me better in many ways
I’m so grateful for the many days
With Julaina and her Monday Morning Muses.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
For more info about Julaina Kleist go to http://timetowritenow.com/