Featured Writer

Helena Silberstein

Writing workshop participant at The Maybelle Clark MacDonald Center for adults living on a low income or with a disability.

Born in wonderful Paris, France, Helena now 72 years old is a content and delighted citizen of Southeast Portland. Helena has been in the United States since 1955 and part of the Portland community since 1995. The friendliness of the people, the old and new buildings, the coalescence of nature and the city life, and the public transportation system are just a few of the top reasons Helena loves Portland so much. As she says, “It’s the best move I’ve ever made in my entire life. I came to house sit for a friend and I fell in love… with the city.”

For most of her life, Helena was a homemaker and an avid volunteer, including the PTA, nursery school, the 1984 Olympics, theater auditions at the Los Angeles Theater, and most recently with the Ledding Library in Milwaukie, knitting and crocheting to help raise money for various funds. She also spent some time as a bookkeeper. At the age of fifty, Helena enrolled at UCLA and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in French Literature and Psychology; she loved the learning process and found it very stimulating. Helena has two daughters, Amy and Brigitte, who are both currently living in California. In her free time, Helena loves knitting, crocheting, reading British murder mysteries and volunteering with Write Around Portland.

You can read more about Helena and her writing, which will be featured in our upcoming fall 2008 anthology, Now/Past/Future, and below.

The Candle

By Helena Silberstein

The air has suddenly become a bit nippy. Shivering slightly, I am looking at the thick, white candle keeping company with the bric-a-brac on display behind the dusty window of the thrift shop I sometimes patronize.

Today is my birthday, so I suppose noticing the candle is appropriate, but I do not want this candle. What I really want are seventy-two thin multicolored candles on a chocolate cake smothered in almond flavored whipped cream, and I want a few good friends to help me blow out the candles. I want them to sing happy birthday to me.

I do not want any gifts, or do I? Oh, maybe one or two. I want laughter to surround me like a protective cloak. I want my friends’ affection to help me feel safe. I want to hear joyful conversations so that the pleasant noise of the voices dissipates my sadness, chases my loneliness, puts a smile on my face and, best of all, makes me feel happy, warm and loved.

Well, I believe I will buy that thick white candle. After all, today is my birthday, and I can treat myself to a present, right?

[First draft was written on my birthday.]

Interview with featured writer Helena Silberstein

Biography writer and interviewer: Erin Ellickson, Write Around Portland fall intern

Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop.

It was sort of accidentally that I found myself in a workshop. My friend Rachel suggested that I might be interested. So I went. This was the 2007 summer program. It was the most amazing experience! The workshop format has been a revelation! I was absolutely flabbergasted. It was so amazing and so encouraging.

I am currently in the MacDonald Center workshop. I had to cancel my spring enrollment [in another Write Around Portland workshop] because of open heart surgery, but am happy to be back.

What did you get out of the workshop?

I am more hopeful and positive about human nature. We tend to know ourselves more. I have realized that I’m mortal. Sometimes I think too much, but when there is a time frame and I am encouraged to write, I can put aside my thoughts and be spontaneous.

I was also published [in the Write Around Portland anthology]. After my first public reading, my friend Elizabeth, a writer for The Sellwood Bee newspaper, heard me read. She liked my writing so much that she decided to write an article about Write Around Portland and feature a reprint of my piece “The Mirror.”

Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop?

Yes and no. In Junior College and at the University, I spent a great deal of time writing, but besides this [workshop], not really. I had a very poor opinion of myself and the motivation wasn’t there.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories?

Being with lots of diverse people has shown me that people are basically good human beings, deserving of respect. When people are kind and there is a safe environment people can express their inner-selves. Some participants have quite a sense of humor, so there is often much laughter, especially in our group.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

150%! By all means, I would be happy to shout it. For anyone who is at all interested in writing, I would absolutely recommend joining a Write Around Portland workshop.

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer?

It indicated that I can write. I can safely express. And to my pleasant surprise, others can identify with my writing. I am still surprised at what I am able to write during the workshops. By being spontaneous and not thinking too much, I am able to write freely. Even after two workshops, I still ask myself, “Is it me writing, or someone else?”

Is there anything you want to tell your readers about your writing or writing in general?

I write about feelings and experiences, the dark and the hopeful.

As for writing in general, give yourself permission to write. Know that what you write is beneficial for yourself and for other people as well.

Allow yourself to let go of self-imposed restrictions. Feel that it’s okay to express. Do not be afraid! No matter how many problems there might be, there is also a lot of goodness. We just have to keep our eyes open. Look and hear; it’s a matter of paying attention.


Home \| Events \| What We Do \| Donate Now \| Get Involved \| About Us
TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Helena Silberstein Writing workshop participant at The Maybelle Clark MacDonald Center for adults living on a low income or with a disability. Born in wonderful Paris, France, Helena now 72 years old is a content and delighted citizen of Southeast Portland. Helena has been in the United States since 1955 and part of the Portland community since 1995. The friendliness of the people, the old and new buildings, the coalescence of nature and the city life, and the public transportation system are just a few of the top reasons Helena loves Portland so much. As she says, “It’s the best move I’ve ever made in my entire life. I came to house sit for a friend and I fell in love… with the city.” For most of her life, Helena was a homemaker and an avid volunteer, including the PTA, nursery school, the 1984 Olympics, theater auditions at the Los Angeles Theater, and most recently with the Ledding Library in Milwaukie, knitting and crocheting to help raise money for various funds. She also spent some time as a bookkeeper. At the age of fifty, Helena enrolled at UCLA and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in French Literature and Psychology; she loved the learning process and found it very stimulating. Helena has two daughters, Amy and Brigitte, who are both currently living in California. In her free time, Helena loves knitting, crocheting, reading British murder mysteries and volunteering with Write Around Portland. You can read more about Helena and her writing, which will be featured in our upcoming fall 2008 anthology, Now/Past/Future, and below. The Candle By Helena Silberstein The air has suddenly become a bit nippy. Shivering slightly, I am looking at the thick, white candle keeping company with the bric-a-brac on display behind the dusty window of the thrift shop I sometimes patronize. Today is my birthday, so I suppose noticing the candle is appropriate, but I do not want this candle. What I really want are seventy-two thin multicolored candles on a chocolate cake smothered in almond flavored whipped cream, and I want a few good friends to help me blow out the candles. I want them to sing happy birthday to me. I do not want any gifts, or do I? Oh, maybe one or two. I want laughter to surround me like a protective cloak. I want my friends’ affection to help me feel safe. I want to hear joyful conversations so that the pleasant noise of the voices dissipates my sadness, chases my loneliness, puts a smile on my face and, best of all, makes me feel happy, warm and loved. Well, I believe I will buy that thick white candle. After all, today is my birthday, and I can treat myself to a present, right? [First draft was written on my birthday.] © Helena Silberstein and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Helena Silberstein Biography writer and interviewer: Erin Ellickson, Write Around Portland fall intern Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop. It was sort of accidentally that I found myself in a workshop. My friend Rachel suggested that I might be interested. So I went. This was the 2007 summer program. It was the most amazing experience! The workshop format has been a revelation! I was absolutely flabbergasted. It was so amazing and so encouraging. I am currently in the MacDonald Center workshop. I had to cancel my spring enrollment [in another Write Around Portland workshop] because of open heart surgery, but am happy to be back. What did you get out of the workshop? I am more hopeful and positive about human nature. We tend to know ourselves more. I have realized that I’m mortal. Sometimes I think too much, but when there is a time frame and I am encouraged to write, I can put aside my thoughts and be spontaneous. I was also published [in the Write Around Portland anthology]. After my first public reading, my friend Elizabeth, a writer for The Sellwood Bee newspaper, heard me read. She liked my writing so much that she decided to write an article about Write Around Portland and feature a reprint of my piece “The Mirror.” Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? Yes and no. In Junior College and at the University, I spent a great deal of time writing, but besides this [workshop], not really. I had a very poor opinion of myself and the motivation wasn’t there. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories? Being with lots of diverse people has shown me that people are basically good human beings, deserving of respect. When people are kind and there is a safe environment people can express their inner-selves. Some participants have quite a sense of humor, so there is often much laughter, especially in our group. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? 150%! By all means, I would be happy to shout it. For anyone who is at all interested in writing, I would absolutely recommend joining a Write Around Portland workshop. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? It indicated that I can write. I can safely express. And to my pleasant surprise, others can identify with my writing. I am still surprised at what I am able to write during the workshops. By being spontaneous and not thinking too much, I am able to write freely. Even after two workshops, I still ask myself, “Is it me writing, or someone else?” Is there anything you want to tell your readers about your writing or writing in general? I write about feelings and experiences, the dark and the hopeful. As for writing in general, give yourself permission to write. Know that what you write is beneficial for yourself and for other people as well. Allow yourself to let go of self-imposed restrictions. Feel that it’s okay to express. Do not be afraid! No matter how many problems there might be, there is also a lot of goodness. We just have to keep our eyes open. Look and hear; it’s a matter of paying attention.	"Write Around Portland has expanded my abilities, expanded my ideas and most of all, expanded my circle of friends. " Paula Nielson, Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Helena Silberstein Click here to read about past featured writers.
Home \| Events \| What We Do \| Donate Now \| Get Involved \| About Us