Featured Writer

Reuben Alvarez-Paris

Writing Workshop Participant at Quest Center for Integrative Health and Reflections Coffeehouse.

Born in El Salvador, Reuben was the youngest of nine children. His mother died when he was two years old and he spent the next four years in an orphanage, until he was adopted and moved to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, he was raised by his adopted mother and grandmother. Reuben is currently working a full-time job in Portland while also getting a degree in Business Management. In addition to reading and writing, Reuben also loves playing tennis.

You can read Reuben's writing, which will be featured in our upcoming anthology, A Rare and Necessary Time, and below. An interview with Reuben about his experience writing in community follows.

Second Chances Are Rare

by Reuben Alvarez-Paris

I feel this truth growing inside me. Not what others want me to be, but becoming the man I want to be. Even better becoming the man I was meant to be.

My promise to myself, my creator and to my father is to ultimately become the man I was destined to be, no matter what!

My father was a simple man, in a good way. He worked hard picking coffee beans to support his nine children. The qualities I imagined he had were honesty, integrity, self-respect, and abundance of unconditional love.

Today, the truths that I strive for are honesty, respect, integrity and maturity. To heal, to love, to cherish, to give and always walking tall, without looking at the ground ever again. I wonder if my father was alive today, would be proud. The answer is “No!” However, in life second chances are rare, but I have been given a second chance.

Interview with featured writer Reuben Alvarez-Paris

Biography Writer and Interviewer: Yuvi Zalkow

Write Around Portland Volunteer, pictured below with Reuben

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

Since I was a kid, I wanted to write. But I worried – Am I good enough? Am I saying it right? Is my grammar correct? As an adult, I wrote in my journal and I’d use my day planner to write observations about the world. I have a couple of poems published on the internet.

How have the Write Around Portland workshops affected you?

It’s been life changing for me. This workshop opened up my passion for writing. It’s freed me from worrying about the results. I can enjoy writing without that voice in my head saying I can’t do it. I finally feel that I’ve shed that. It propelled me into another world. Now I write every day. I write a poem a week. Write Around Portland helped me find my passion for writing again.

How do you like writing with a group of people?

It’s great. Whether there are two or five or fifteen people in the workshop, each person has a different perspective or tone or rhythm. Even with the same subject, it’s so varied. With five people, you get five stories. That blows me away. And there is no right or wrong with writing – it is what it is.

How was it adjusting to life in this country?

It was hard. The other kids teased me a lot. My mom worked in a surfing company and I’d wear surfing clothes to school. “We’ve never seen a Latino surfer!” they would say. I used to be embarrassed for who I was. But I’ve let all that stuff go. I’ve learned to embrace my culture and who am I because of my differences. I’ve always felt in the middle of two worlds. But this has made me spiritually rich.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

Absolutely. No matter what you’re going through it is so therapeutic just to write – the process of letting it out. Anybody can do it. I want to see more people involved with Write Around Portland. I’m so glad I’m a part of it. It’s the best.

What does it feel like when you’re writing a story or poem?

When writing a poem or story, it comes to me like someone is whispering in my ear. The words come in a rhythm – but not in order. I just put it on the paper. When writing, it feels like I go into a trance. Then when I am done, I go back and edit. I rearrange the words, phrases, and sometimes whole sentences or paragraphs.

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

It may sound cheesy, but here is my theme for this year: to succeed at doing the ordinary things, so that it can support my ability to do extraordinary things.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Reuben Alvarez-Paris Writing Workshop Participant at Quest Center for Integrative Health and Reflections Coffeehouse. Born in El Salvador, Reuben was the youngest of nine children. His mother died when he was two years old and he spent the next four years in an orphanage, until he was adopted and moved to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, he was raised by his adopted mother and grandmother. Reuben is currently working a full-time job in Portland while also getting a degree in Business Management. In addition to reading and writing, Reuben also loves playing tennis. You can read Reuben's writing, which will be featured in our upcoming anthology, A Rare and Necessary Time, and below. An interview with Reuben about his experience writing in community follows. Second Chances Are Rare by Reuben Alvarez-Paris I feel this truth growing inside me. Not what others want me to be, but becoming the man I want to be. Even better becoming the man I was meant to be. My promise to myself, my creator and to my father is to ultimately become the man I was destined to be, no matter what! My father was a simple man, in a good way. He worked hard picking coffee beans to support his nine children. The qualities I imagined he had were honesty, integrity, self-respect, and abundance of unconditional love. Today, the truths that I strive for are honesty, respect, integrity and maturity. To heal, to love, to cherish, to give and always walking tall, without looking at the ground ever again. I wonder if my father was alive today, would be proud. The answer is “No!” However, in life second chances are rare, but I have been given a second chance. © Reuben Alvarez-Paris and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Reuben Alvarez-Paris Biography Writer and Interviewer: Yuvi Zalkow Write Around Portland Volunteer, pictured below with Reuben Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? Since I was a kid, I wanted to write. But I worried – Am I good enough? Am I saying it right? Is my grammar correct? As an adult, I wrote in my journal and I’d use my day planner to write observations about the world. I have a couple of poems published on the internet. How have the Write Around Portland workshops affected you? It’s been life changing for me. This workshop opened up my passion for writing. It’s freed me from worrying about the results. I can enjoy writing without that voice in my head saying I can’t do it. I finally feel that I’ve shed that. It propelled me into another world. Now I write every day. I write a poem a week. Write Around Portland helped me find my passion for writing again. How do you like writing with a group of people? It’s great. Whether there are two or five or fifteen people in the workshop, each person has a different perspective or tone or rhythm. Even with the same subject, it’s so varied. With five people, you get five stories. That blows me away. And there is no right or wrong with writing – it is what it is. How was it adjusting to life in this country? It was hard. The other kids teased me a lot. My mom worked in a surfing company and I’d wear surfing clothes to school. “We’ve never seen a Latino surfer!” they would say. I used to be embarrassed for who I was. But I’ve let all that stuff go. I’ve learned to embrace my culture and who am I because of my differences. I’ve always felt in the middle of two worlds. But this has made me spiritually rich. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? Absolutely. No matter what you’re going through it is so therapeutic just to write – the process of letting it out. Anybody can do it. I want to see more people involved with Write Around Portland. I’m so glad I’m a part of it. It’s the best. What does it feel like when you’re writing a story or poem? When writing a poem or story, it comes to me like someone is whispering in my ear. The words come in a rhythm – but not in order. I just put it on the paper. When writing, it feels like I go into a trance. Then when I am done, I go back and edit. I rearrange the words, phrases, and sometimes whole sentences or paragraphs. Is there anything you would like to tell your readers? It may sound cheesy, but here is my theme for this year: to succeed at doing the ordinary things, so that it can support my ability to do extraordinary things.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Reuben Alvarez-Paris Click here to read about past featured writers.
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