Home | Events | What We Do | Donate Now | Get Involved | About Us
Featured Writers
Laura Echtinaw & Mariah Williams
Writing Workshop Participants at The Dougy Center - for grieving children and families. This workshop was held for an intergenerational group of Dougy Center clients and volunteers, ages 13 - 72.
Laura Echtinaw has been practicing physical therapy for 23 years and is close to getting certified as a Pilates instructor. Raised in the East Bay of San Francisco, she moved to Portland in the early eighties. She loves to do art and her drawing, entitled Right Hemisphere, is in the latest Write Around Portland anthology.
Mariah Williams is 13 years old and loves hanging out with friends and riding horses. An active equestrian, she loves gaming events and barrel racing. This summer, she’s looking forward to going white water rafting. She never knew she could write before participating in the workshop but now has plans to take creative writing classes in high school.
Their writing, featured in our spring anthology, and interview follow. Mariah and Laura, mother and daughter writers, are pictured at right.
Craig's Flight by Laura Echtinaw:
In anticipation of my husband’s one year anniversary of his death… well, I’ve had this idea… A push… A voice… Like this is what I need to do… What… Why? It didn’t become clear until this past Saturday... Click here to read the full piece.
Soy un Sonador (I am a Dreamer) by Mariah Williams:
...I am a canvas
A canvas who sits alone
Waiting for color
And a chance to be amazing...
Click here to read the full poem.
Interview with featured writers Laura Echtinaw & Mariah Williams
Biography writer and interviewer: Peter Young, Write Around Portland intern
Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop.
Laura: It was awesome. It was especially nice that it helped me connect more with my two children [Mariah is Laura's daughter, and her son also participated in the workshop]. It was a great opportunity for communication. I got a glimpse into their souls and got to know that personal side of them. It opened up a part of me.
Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop?
Laura: I have always loved to write but haven’t done much. I’ve been very busy with raising a family. But I realize that it’s important not to lose myself in the mundane. The workshop definitely helped spark my creative side.
How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories?
Mariah: I liked it a lot. It was a great release. I feel like I was allowed to express myself without any fear of judgment. I never knew I could write.
How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories?
Laura: It was nice. There was a vastness in ages [of the workshop participants], teenagers on up. The kids were refreshing – very wise young souls. Among the whole group I felt safe and supported. Very respectful.
Would you two recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?
Laura: Of course!
Mariah: Yes!
What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer?
Laura: Two things: First, it opened my eyes to my painful tragedy over my husband – It had been stifling my creativity and I still have healing to do. Secondly, writing is a powerful tool to understand myself.
Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing?
Laura: Good things come out of bad things. We are stronger than we think. Life is precious. Writing helps you get back to where you need to be.
Mariah: My writing is about what I feel, exactly what I’m thinking. I think it surprised me that something cool could just come out of that. I wrote this poem [Soy un Sonador (I am a Dreamer)] and everyone loved it.
"I just believe in myself more."
Write Around Portland Participant
Featured Writers
Mariah Williams &
Laura Echtinaw
Home | Events | What We Do | Donate Now | Get Involved | About Us