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Featured Writer
Brandon Michael Scarth
Brandon Scarth, 24, lives in Sandy, Oregon. He has two older sisters, including one who works at a medical center in southern Oregon, a brother-in-law who is a pilot in the Air Force and one niece and one nephew. Three years ago, Brandon was in a serious car accident. Because of the accident, he has difficulty remembering what he enjoys doing, but he knows that he really likes to write and to ride his bike.
Brandon participated in his first Write Around Portland workshop at Full Life Coffee Shop for adults with developmental and other disabilities. He also participated in a workshop we held in partnership with the Portland Art Museum. This fall, he is in our Write On: Returning Writers Program.
Brandon is pictured, right. His writing and an interview with him about writing in community follow.
My Past Life
by Brandon Michael Scarth
This object connects me to a past life, full of memories. It’s like being transported there through some type of magic. And, I’m not really sure when it takes place. I just know it takes place, and in thinking about the object I’m free of all that stuff they had to do to me to survive the awful car crash that should have ended my life. But, it did not end my life, no. I’m guessing that Almighty God had other plans for me. Plans to do something wonderful, something cherished and magnificent. What that thing is however, I cannot say. But whatever it’ll be, it’ll be, and that’s all that I can say about that…at this time.
© Brandon Michael Scarth & Write Around Portland
Interview with Featured Writer Brandon Scarth
Biography writer and interviewer: Nicole Rosevear, Volunteer
What is your favorite part of being involved in a Write Around Portland workshop?
The whole community, and the sense of writing in the group. The group is just so wonderful for me. I had an accident a few years ago, and that was just so horrible for me. Being able to get into a workshop that has writing prompts and things you can write about is straight up my alley.
I don't remember a lot about reading my writing at the reading, but I remember it was fun. It was awesome to be published in the book.
Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop?
Yeah. Oh, yeah. I could write full-on plays, or whatever. And I used to love writing with all my heart. And it’s so sad now because I hadn't been able to write as much as I had previous to my accident, so it’s been very good to be with Write Around Portland. Very good.
How do you like the group writing aspect of the program?
I love it. I can’t even tell you how much I love it. I love being able to share what I’ve written right after I’ve written it.
Have you learned anything about yourself or about your writing over the course of the Write Around Portland workshops you’ve participated in?
Yeah. I think I’ve learned how unexpected I can be. I’ve learned how I can take a writing prompt and turn it into a full story in such little time.
What do you enjoy most about writing?
That sense of communication or togetherness that you get when writing in groups, and I’m all for the communication and togetherness. I am all for writing around Portland!
Do you plan to participate in more Write Around Portland workshops in the future?
Yes. Certainly.
"I hadn’t been able to write as much as I had previous to my accident, so it’s been very good to be with Write Around Portland. Very good."
--Brandon Scarth
Featured Writer
Brandon Michael Scarth