Featured Writers

Rebecca Ann Rouillard

Writing workshop participant in our workshop in partnership with the First Unitarian Church of Portland's Mental Health Action Group for adults living with or affected by mental illness.

Rebecca Ann Rouillard, 52, was born and raised in California, though she has lived on the East Coast as well. After a bad accident in 2006, Rebecca moved to Oregon to be with her family. Prior to that, she was working as a library coordinator for a correctional facility in Idaho.

Rebecca Ann is a reader as well as a writer, and enjoys talking on the phone and listening to classical music and songs from musicals. Most recently, she has been devoting her reading time to the subjects of spirituality and self-improvement.

She feels any biography of her would be incomplete without mentioning two things. First, a big part of her life has involved doctors. She was born with a congenital heart defect and Turner syndrome. She is very grateful to her doctors, without whom she would not be alive. Second, she is a proud third generation member of the Episcopal Church. Both her father and grandfather were Episcopalian priests. She is currently involved with the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Northwest Portland.

Rebecca Ann Rouillard is pictured, right. Her piece and an interview about her experience in the workshop follow.

In the Distance

by Rebecca Ann Rouillard

In the distance, through the sheer window shade, the photograph showed the Twin Towers. The Twin Towers in New York that blew up on September 11, 2001.

Do you remember where you were?

It is one of those events in history—if you were alive, you will always remember where you were at the time you heard the news. Like the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. Or the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Or the day Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Or, for some who were alive, D-Day, V-E Day, and V-J Day from World War II. The day a man walked on the moon. For some, it will be the day Barak Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States and the first African-American to hold that position.

Although the sheer shade muted the picture of the Twin Towers, I gasp as I see them again. I remember that awful day and night. Feeling the need to reach out to my family and to hear their voices—to be reassured that they were all right. They, my family, lived either on the West Coast or in Florida, far away from the tragedy. Yet I felt the same pain and grief as those who were there.

Interview with featured writer Rebecca Ann Rouillard

Biography writer and interviewer: Ed Kline, Write Around Portland volunteer, pictured above with Rebecca Ann

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

I really enjoyed listening as well as reading. The memories and situations that came to mind. It was a real bonding experience. It was really – the connection I feel … the writing really resonated.

I hadn’t heard from any members of my writing group until just this week. We’re going to meet again on our own at a coffee shop. I am looking forward to seeing them again.

What did you get out of the workshop?

Self-confidence, mostly. And the experience of reading and getting feedback. The experience of meeting other people.

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

I’ve always been a reader, but the writing only started after my accident. It started when a friend of the family passed away. I never knew him myself, but I felt close to him because my parents spoke about him so often. I wrote a prayer for him.

I write when the spirit moves me. I write mostly for myself. I’ve never made a conscious decision to write for others, but it was so cool seeing my writing in print.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Sharing your own work at the reading?

I’ve been in lots of support groups, so it wasn’t difficult to write or share.

At the Write Around Portland reading, I was not as nervous as I thought I was going to be. At church, I’ve been a lay reader so I’m used to being in front of people. I had taken acting classes as a child. I’ve always been a ham. I wanted to be an actress when I was younger.

How did the workshops help you as a writer?

Mostly what comes to mind is the writing prompts. I find myself starting to write as if there’s been a prompt because beginning is the hardest thing to do. Getting over the hump, so to speak, lets the sentences flow.

Do you remember the prompt for your piece that was published in North by North?

The prompt was “In the distance...” Our workshop facilitator, Tom, gave us all a photograph and the phrase “In the distance.” My photograph was of a window in New York City looking at the Twin Towers. I immediately thought of 9/11.

When I lived on the East Coast, I never lived in New York City, but I visited. I have family that live in New York.

Your piece mentions a number of other “big events” like 9/11. Do you have any strong memories of those days?

Mostly Robert Kennedy. I was in elementary school, in California. I remember listening to the news on a transistor radio on the playground.

And of course Obama. I was at home, listening to the news. I was startled because by the time the West Coast was starting to vote, it was all over. I sort of felt cheated. But I was delighted Obama won. I’m still delighted.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

In a heartbeat. Absolutely! Without a doubt. No question!

Is that enough?

Are you interested in taking another workshop yourself?

Most definitely.

Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers?

I consider what I write mostly reflections, not really stories and not really poems.

As least for me, the writing comes literally as the spirit moves me. Take a pencil and paper with you wherever you are. When it comes, just write!


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writers Rebecca Ann Rouillard Writing workshop participant in our workshop in partnership with the First Unitarian Church of Portland's Mental Health Action Group for adults living with or affected by mental illness. Rebecca Ann Rouillard, 52, was born and raised in California, though she has lived on the East Coast as well. After a bad accident in 2006, Rebecca moved to Oregon to be with her family. Prior to that, she was working as a library coordinator for a correctional facility in Idaho. Rebecca Ann is a reader as well as a writer, and enjoys talking on the phone and listening to classical music and songs from musicals. Most recently, she has been devoting her reading time to the subjects of spirituality and self-improvement. She feels any biography of her would be incomplete without mentioning two things. First, a big part of her life has involved doctors. She was born with a congenital heart defect and Turner syndrome. She is very grateful to her doctors, without whom she would not be alive. Second, she is a proud third generation member of the Episcopal Church. Both her father and grandfather were Episcopalian priests. She is currently involved with the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Northwest Portland. Rebecca Ann Rouillard is pictured, right. Her piece and an interview about her experience in the workshop follow. In the Distance by Rebecca Ann Rouillard In the distance, through the sheer window shade, the photograph showed the Twin Towers. The Twin Towers in New York that blew up on September 11, 2001. Do you remember where you were? It is one of those events in history—if you were alive, you will always remember where you were at the time you heard the news. Like the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. Or the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Or the day Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Or, for some who were alive, D-Day, V-E Day, and V-J Day from World War II. The day a man walked on the moon. For some, it will be the day Barak Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States and the first African-American to hold that position. Although the sheer shade muted the picture of the Twin Towers, I gasp as I see them again. I remember that awful day and night. Feeling the need to reach out to my family and to hear their voices—to be reassured that they were all right. They, my family, lived either on the West Coast or in Florida, far away from the tragedy. Yet I felt the same pain and grief as those who were there. © Rebecca Ann Rouillard and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Rebecca Ann Rouillard Biography writer and interviewer: Ed Kline, Write Around Portland volunteer, pictured above with Rebecca Ann Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop. I really enjoyed listening as well as reading. The memories and situations that came to mind. It was a real bonding experience. It was really – the connection I feel … the writing really resonated. I hadn’t heard from any members of my writing group until just this week. We’re going to meet again on our own at a coffee shop. I am looking forward to seeing them again. What did you get out of the workshop? Self-confidence, mostly. And the experience of reading and getting feedback. The experience of meeting other people. Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? I’ve always been a reader, but the writing only started after my accident. It started when a friend of the family passed away. I never knew him myself, but I felt close to him because my parents spoke about him so often. I wrote a prayer for him. I write when the spirit moves me. I write mostly for myself. I’ve never made a conscious decision to write for others, but it was so cool seeing my writing in print. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Sharing your own work at the reading? I’ve been in lots of support groups, so it wasn’t difficult to write or share. At the Write Around Portland reading, I was not as nervous as I thought I was going to be. At church, I’ve been a lay reader so I’m used to being in front of people. I had taken acting classes as a child. I’ve always been a ham. I wanted to be an actress when I was younger. How did the workshops help you as a writer? Mostly what comes to mind is the writing prompts. I find myself starting to write as if there’s been a prompt because beginning is the hardest thing to do. Getting over the hump, so to speak, lets the sentences flow. Do you remember the prompt for your piece that was published in North by North? The prompt was “In the distance...” Our workshop facilitator, Tom, gave us all a photograph and the phrase “In the distance.” My photograph was of a window in New York City looking at the Twin Towers. I immediately thought of 9/11. When I lived on the East Coast, I never lived in New York City, but I visited. I have family that live in New York. Your piece mentions a number of other “big events” like 9/11. Do you have any strong memories of those days? Mostly Robert Kennedy. I was in elementary school, in California. I remember listening to the news on a transistor radio on the playground. And of course Obama. I was at home, listening to the news. I was startled because by the time the West Coast was starting to vote, it was all over. I sort of felt cheated. But I was delighted Obama won. I’m still delighted. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? In a heartbeat. Absolutely! Without a doubt. No question! Is that enough? Are you interested in taking another workshop yourself? Most definitely. Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? I consider what I write mostly reflections, not really stories and not really poems. As least for me, the writing comes literally as the spirit moves me. Take a pencil and paper with you wherever you are. When it comes, just write!	"Write Around Portland was a real bonding experience...the writing really resonated." Rebecca Ann Rouillard, Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Rebecca Ann Rouillard Click here to read about past featured writers.
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