Featured Writer

Benita Alioth

While Benita Alioth has lived in Portland since 1968, she spent the first 15 years of her life in northern Wyoming. She was married and has four children, but has since divorced. Her children and seven grandchildren all live in Portland.

Benita was a corporate accountant and later spent time working for a limousine service and the Portland Housing Authority. After working at a variety of places, Benita was laid off and became the primary caretaker of her mother. Benita participated in a Write Around Portland workshop through Legacy Health's Oregon Burn Center after she survived a fire on October 22, 2008.

Benita's writing, which inspired the title of our anthology More Than a Book, and an interview about her experience writing in community follow.

Courage

by Benita Alioth

When he passed around the duffle bag with miscellaneous items to write about in the writing class, I pulled out a book. Hmmmmm. Imagine that: I pulled out a book called The Red Badge of Courage, you know, one of those books that most likely was an assigned English reading book in high school. Dang—wish I would have read it. Possibly it may have reflected some good thoughts. My “red badge of courage” came in physical form in high school days—softball, bowling, tennis, basketball and, yes, boys. I can tell you some good times, but I now actually wish I’d have taken the time to read, because I would have been able to use some of those big words, like some of my co-writers, when I write.

As life progresses and I go through my own badge of courage, I can tell you it takes more than a book to stand up and be strong and courageous.

© Benita Alioth and Write Around Portland

Interview with featured writer Benita Alioth

Biography writer and interviewer: Brittany Griffith, volunteer, pictured above with Benita

How was your overall experience in a Write Around Portland workshop? Were you nervous to start writing?

The first thing that dazzled me about the workshop was my workshop facilitator, Stacy. He challenged me and kept me on my toes. I was excited to start the workshop. I’ve been through a lot of changes, and I’ve always thought change was good. Before I began, I thought it would be more like a school where there would be someone teaching us how to write. I wasn’t really sure about the writing prompts, but once I put my pen down, it just flowed.

What did you get out of the workshop?

What I got out of it was that everyone has different ideas and ways of writing and everyone needs to express themselves in the way they want to be read. I really wanted to say something to somebody and hopefully they’ll learn from it. You know how a person will paint a really beautiful painting and someone will buy it and put it in a nice frame and always admire it? I want to learn to write a book like that, something that has the same inspiration that somebody will read and remember for always.

I enjoyed sharing my stories, I felt like I had something to share and I gave it my best. Whether it was a good story or not I just shared. It was a wonderful experience and I’d do it again.

How have your life experiences influenced your writing?

I felt like my stories were all very different and they sometimes even surprised people in the group because they were so outlandish. When I was young, I only thought about getting married and having a family…but when I divorced the struggle began. I had to use my head and think on my feet. But then I also had more choices. I started writing when the divorce came.

Since I’ve been a burn survivor, I feel like I am flying like an eagle, that I am flying as hard as I can. I’m doing what I need to do, and that is to write.

The title of the fall 2009 Write Around Portland anthology came from a line in your piece, Courage [above]. How did you feel about that?

I was overwhelmed. I was really proud because it was my first accomplishment that made me feel, Wow, I did it all on my own! It was great. When they told me it was the title, I got on Facebook and told the world!

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? Is there anything you would like to tell people about your writing?

The workshop gave me more confidence in my writing and being able to express myself in front of people.

My writing comes from the heart. It’s to be enjoyed by all. Right now, my emphasis is a lot on abuse, the way people are treated by others, and how to conquer it. Also, the fact that I’m a minority makes me want to tell stories about being a minority. And since I was a single mother at an early age, I write about learning how to survive and all of the obstacles that come with that.

How did you feel sharing your piece in front of so many people at the Write Around Portland reading?

I was OK until the night of the release party. Then I was nervous. I was told I did a good job but I was so frightened I didn’t even remember reading it! Before I read my piece, I had to thank Write Around Portland and also Jennifer Allen from Oregon Humanities’ Humanity in Perspective program for believing in me.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people?

I have recommended Write Around Portland. I think it’s a great class. It’s not a learning class; it’s an exploring class.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Benita Alioth While Benita Alioth has lived in Portland since 1968, she spent the first 15 years of her life in northern Wyoming. She was married and has four children, but has since divorced. Her children and seven grandchildren all live in Portland. Benita was a corporate accountant and later spent time working for a limousine service and the Portland Housing Authority. After working at a variety of places, Benita was laid off and became the primary caretaker of her mother. Benita participated in a Write Around Portland workshop through Legacy Health's Oregon Burn Center after she survived a fire on October 22, 2008. Benita's writing, which inspired the title of our anthology More Than a Book, and an interview about her experience writing in community follow. Courage by Benita Alioth When he passed around the duffle bag with miscellaneous items to write about in the writing class, I pulled out a book. Hmmmmm. Imagine that: I pulled out a book called The Red Badge of Courage, you know, one of those books that most likely was an assigned English reading book in high school. Dang—wish I would have read it. Possibly it may have reflected some good thoughts. My “red badge of courage” came in physical form in high school days—softball, bowling, tennis, basketball and, yes, boys. I can tell you some good times, but I now actually wish I’d have taken the time to read, because I would have been able to use some of those big words, like some of my co-writers, when I write. As life progresses and I go through my own badge of courage, I can tell you it takes more than a book to stand up and be strong and courageous. © Benita Alioth and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Benita Alioth Biography writer and interviewer: Brittany Griffith, volunteer, pictured above with Benita How was your overall experience in a Write Around Portland workshop? Were you nervous to start writing? The first thing that dazzled me about the workshop was my workshop facilitator, Stacy. He challenged me and kept me on my toes. I was excited to start the workshop. I’ve been through a lot of changes, and I’ve always thought change was good. Before I began, I thought it would be more like a school where there would be someone teaching us how to write. I wasn’t really sure about the writing prompts, but once I put my pen down, it just flowed. What did you get out of the workshop? What I got out of it was that everyone has different ideas and ways of writing and everyone needs to express themselves in the way they want to be read. I really wanted to say something to somebody and hopefully they’ll learn from it. You know how a person will paint a really beautiful painting and someone will buy it and put it in a nice frame and always admire it? I want to learn to write a book like that, something that has the same inspiration that somebody will read and remember for always. I enjoyed sharing my stories, I felt like I had something to share and I gave it my best. Whether it was a good story or not I just shared. It was a wonderful experience and I’d do it again. How have your life experiences influenced your writing? I felt like my stories were all very different and they sometimes even surprised people in the group because they were so outlandish. When I was young, I only thought about getting married and having a family…but when I divorced the struggle began. I had to use my head and think on my feet. But then I also had more choices. I started writing when the divorce came. Since I’ve been a burn survivor, I feel like I am flying like an eagle, that I am flying as hard as I can. I’m doing what I need to do, and that is to write. *The title of the fall 2009 Write Around Portland anthology came from a line in your piece, Courage* [above]. How did you feel about that?** I was overwhelmed. I was really proud because it was my first accomplishment that made me feel, Wow, I did it all on my own! It was great. When they told me it was the title, I got on Facebook and told the world! What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? Is there anything you would like to tell people about your writing? The workshop gave me more confidence in my writing and being able to express myself in front of people. My writing comes from the heart. It’s to be enjoyed by all. Right now, my emphasis is a lot on abuse, the way people are treated by others, and how to conquer it. Also, the fact that I’m a minority makes me want to tell stories about being a minority. And since I was a single mother at an early age, I write about learning how to survive and all of the obstacles that come with that. How did you feel sharing your piece in front of so many people at the Write Around Portland reading? I was OK until the night of the release party. Then I was nervous. I was told I did a good job but I was so frightened I didn’t even remember reading it! Before I read my piece, I had to thank Write Around Portland and also Jennifer Allen from Oregon Humanities’ Humanity in Perspective program for believing in me. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people? I have recommended Write Around Portland. I think it’s a great class. It’s not a learning class; it’s an exploring class.	"Since I’ve been a burn survivor...I’m doing what I need to do, and that is to write." --Benita Alioth, Workshop Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Benita Alioth Click here to read about previous featured writers.
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