List of Needs and Ceremony Script

Items needed:

*A table placed in the center of the gathering.

  

*A candle (Sometimes more than one is necessary for larger tables and larger groups.)

  

*A metal plate or bucket in which burning pages may be safely placed.

  

*A tray or platter upon which is placed  *One wine-looking bottle *One empty wine glass *One doily *One cigarette (These are to honor Stephen King, from a scene in Misery in which the character Paul Sheldon has finished his manuscript.

*One leader with a copy of the script.

*One Reader with a copy of the following quote from Henry David Thoreau, also quoted in The Dead Poets Society:

  

“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering - these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love - these are what we stay alive for.”

 *Three witches, as designated by either a pointy hat or a chronically bad attitude. (This is to honor Shakespeare, representing the three crones in Macbeth.) These should be among the writers with papers to burn.

EACH PARTICIPANT WILL NEED:

 *A glass or container of high character or sentimental value, filled with one’s beverage of preference.

 **Those writers with finished manuscripts need either a copy of their final page with the title and the words “The End” written on it, or a scrap of paper with the same information.

 CEREMONY INSTRUCTIONS:

 Writers with finished manuscripts stand in a circle around the table.

 Writers without sacrifices ;) will create an outer circle around the others.

 The ceremony begins when the candle is lit. Unnecessary talking should be avoided.

 The Reader will read the quote by Henry David Thoreau.

 YAWPS:

 All writers will turn and sound their barbaric “Yawps” toward the east, to begin the string between us and New York. (Yawping by all observers is expected.)

 ROASTING THE TOAST:

 All will then face the candle again and one by one, starting with the witch in the coolest hat (or best earrings if hats are not available), writers will announce the title of their finished ms, sending it toward New York ears. The others will repeat the title, clink glasses, and drink. Using the candle, that author will light her last page or scrap of paper and lay it on the metal plate to burn. The next participant will do the same and so on around the circle.

 INSPIRATIONAL CHANT:

 In a tribute to Uncle Walt Whitman, writers recite "That the powerful play goes on, and I may contribute a verse." Then repeat it a second time, "That the powerful play goes on, and I may contribute a verse."

 POSITIVE MOMENTUM:

 Around the inner circle again, writers announce the working title of their next project, holding up their glasses until the last participant has finished. Then all drink together.

 CLOSING:

 All participants and observers turn toward the east once more and SOUND THEIR BARBARIC 'YAWPS' OVER THE ROOFTOPS OF THE WORLD.

 The candle is blown out.