Featured Writer

Cynthia Saetern

Writing Workshop Participant at Helensview High School - An alternative high school for "at risk" youth and teen parents, ages 12-21.

Cynthia’s goal is to graduate from high school, possibly next year. She juggles being a teen parent, having a job and going to school and works to have a routine for all of these things in order to make her life less complicated. She likes shopping, writing and staying home to play with her 19 month old son, Tye.

Cynthia's writing, featured in our fall anthology, and interview follow. She is pictured, right.

Decisions

by Cynthia Saetern

I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone. He told me it was time to tell my father. I was too afraid. I wasn’t prepared for what was going to happen next. I put my boyfriend on hold and then stepped outside of my room and into the living room. I saw my dad, he was in the kitchen boiling water to make ramen noodles. I was so afraid, but I knew I’d have to tell him anyways.

I said, “Dad, I’m pregnant.” He turned around and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were all red. I could just see all the anger pouring out of his eyes. He asked, “You’re pregnant?” At the time I was fourteen. My dad knew my boyfriend. He asked questions like, “When did you have intercourse?” and where and all the other questions he had listed in the back of his head.

My boyfriend heard some of our conversation but I had to get off the phone. I hung up and at that moment I felt so alone because my boyfriend’s voice wasn’t there to comfort me. My family wanted me to have an abortion. I decided not to. Now our son is one and he’s a good kid. His smile makes my day.

Interview with featured writer Cynthia Saetern

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

It was fun, and it was kind of like therapy. Everything we wrote and said stayed in the group so we didn’t tell people outside the group. We all felt really connected. People in the group didn’t know they were that talented, but we all found out we actually loved writing and had great imaginations.

What did you get out of the workshop?

I got to do something I liked at school. I got to meet Sara [the volunteer workshop facilitator]. She was so sweet. She was like a big sister. She baked a cake for us!

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories?

It was interesting! What they [the other participants] wrote was not what I would have expected. I got so much out of hearing their writing, even when I had known them before. I learned about everyone through their writing. We gave good feedback to each other and a lot of encouragement. No one would put you down.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

Yes! If you like snacks, you should go! [laugh.] It may not sound fun for people who haven’t done it, but it is totally fun and better than class. [laugh]

How did you decide to submit your piece "Decisions" for publication in the anthology?

[Having a baby] had a big impact on my life. It changed me forever. So I thought that story should be the one in the book. Other students and teachers who have read it have commented that they hadn’t realized how hard it was for me until they read that piece.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Cynthia Saetern Writing Workshop Participant at Helensview High School - An alternative high school for "at risk" youth and teen parents, ages 12-21. Cynthia’s goal is to graduate from high school, possibly next year. She juggles being a teen parent, having a job and going to school and works to have a routine for all of these things in order to make her life less complicated. She likes shopping, writing and staying home to play with her 19 month old son, Tye. Cynthia's writing, featured in our fall anthology, and interview follow. She is pictured, right. Decisions by Cynthia Saetern I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone. He told me it was time to tell my father. I was too afraid. I wasn’t prepared for what was going to happen next. I put my boyfriend on hold and then stepped outside of my room and into the living room. I saw my dad, he was in the kitchen boiling water to make ramen noodles. I was so afraid, but I knew I’d have to tell him anyways. I said, “Dad, I’m pregnant.” He turned around and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were all red. I could just see all the anger pouring out of his eyes. He asked, “You’re pregnant?” At the time I was fourteen. My dad knew my boyfriend. He asked questions like, “When did you have intercourse?” and where and all the other questions he had listed in the back of his head. My boyfriend heard some of our conversation but I had to get off the phone. I hung up and at that moment I felt so alone because my boyfriend’s voice wasn’t there to comfort me. My family wanted me to have an abortion. I decided not to. Now our son is one and he’s a good kid. His smile makes my day. Interview with featured writer Cynthia Saetern Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop. It was fun, and it was kind of like therapy. Everything we wrote and said stayed in the group so we didn’t tell people outside the group. We all felt really connected. People in the group didn’t know they were that talented, but we all found out we actually loved writing and had great imaginations. What did you get out of the workshop? I got to do something I liked at school. I got to meet Sara [the volunteer workshop facilitator]. She was so sweet. She was like a big sister. She baked a cake for us! How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories? It was interesting! What they [the other participants] wrote was not what I would have expected. I got so much out of hearing their writing, even when I had known them before. I learned about everyone through their writing. We gave good feedback to each other and a lot of encouragement. No one would put you down. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? Yes! If you like snacks, you should go! [laugh.] It may not sound fun for people who haven’t done it, but it is totally fun and better than class. [laugh] How did you decide to submit your piece "Decisions" for publication in the anthology? [Having a baby] had a big impact on my life. It changed me forever. So I thought that story should be the one in the book. Other students and teachers who have read it have commented that they hadn’t realized how hard it was for me until they read that piece.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer Cynthia Saetern
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