Featured Writers

Glenda Payne

Participant in our workshops for adults living on a low income and/or with a disability.

Glenda Payne grew up in Portland and currently lives in Troutdale. She is a stay-at-home mother of 8 children, ranging from 14 to 42 years old. In the 1970s, she studied graphic design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) before eventually switching to drawing. She admits that she was never as good at either of those as she was at writing, her passion.

Writing and the creative arts are ever-present in her large family. Glenda has made it a tradition that every year for her birthday her children write a poem for her, and she writes for each of them in return. Then they gather together for a family reading. “I love having family around,” says Glenda, “and love seeing them realize how creative they all are.”

Glenda became involved with Write Around Portland after seeing a piece about the organization in The Oregonian over a year ago. She has since participated in four workshops, including Write On for Returning Writers. An interview with Glenda and her writing follow.

Sentries

by Glenda Payne

I don’t know the names of all the trees that tower over us stately and majestic. They line up behind our house and protect us from the violent winds that threaten to beat us down. They reach out and fan us in the heat when cool breezes blow through them. They’ve been patient with the children who live high up in them in nice weather. They never retaliate, though careless overzealous climbers break off their branches. They allow their leaves to be ripped off by small soldiers and used as currency to purchase whatever is offered for sale in the little forts that grow out of the floor of the green space they live on. The squirrels, a raccoon, and all sorts of birds make homes in their mighty boughs. By these things I know they must be friendly. Our many families have learned to trust in them.

Interview with featured writer Glenda Payne

Biography writer and interviewer: Caitlin Kirkley, Write Around Portland intern, pictured above with Glenda

You’re a Write Around veteran with four workshops under your belt. How has your experience been overall?

It’s been very exciting, and I’ve enjoyed it very much. I tend to be shy and luckily had the same workshop facilitator for the first few times, which really allowed me the feel comfortable. Everyone at Write Around is so encouraging. Each group had a different personality, very diverse.

Had you written much before you became involved with Write Around Portland?

I’ve mainly written fiction in the past. And I would occasionally write poetry when something would happen in my life that was really emotional. I began my first novel a few months before attending my first workshop last year. I hoped the workshops would help me hone my skills as a writer, which they have done.

How have you grown personally as a result of participating in a workshop?

I’ve had all these opportunities but never finished anything. I studied full time at PCNA while working full time and trying to raise three children alone. It was overwhelming. It was a time in my life when there wasn't much in the way of encouragement. I didn't have the courage to do my thesis because I was afraid the work wouldn't be received favorably.

I didn't want to face another disappointment so I turned my back on that four years during which I'd actually gain a lot of knowledge and skill. Previously I'd pursued a degree in fashion. I lacked the courage to take the final steps to complete it. It was a pattern in my life: beginning something yet fearing to take the final steps needed to fulfill the dream: afraid of failing.

Participating in the Write Around Portland workshops, I learned that people appreciated my work, and valued it. It was much more valuable than I had realized. And this validated what I was doing. That’s where my courage came from. I learned to take risks.

How was your experience writing in a group?

I sharpened my skills as a writer. Listening the others, as far as word choice, descriptions, has influenced me a lot. I learned how to be able to receive feedback and use it to become a better writer. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. It was good to have both a female and a male point of view, also.

What did the workshop help you learn about others? About building community through writing?

There are so many writers willing to share their experiences, share their lives. There are many ways of telling these stories, and many different words to use. In the Write Around Portland workshops diverse people meet as strangers and by the end of the workshops they've learned to respect and value one another through shared words and encouragement. I really bonded with my third workshop group and we still write together!

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people?

Absolutely! And I do. For anyone that is on the fence about writing, it’s very freeing.

Is there anything you would like to tell people about your writing?

I read a lot: fiction non-fiction, I read it all. I'm always trying to educate my self in new ways of saying and describing things, people and situations. I'm also a careful observer of people and a listener of language; how people communicate with each other both by words and body language.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writers Glenda Payne Participant in our workshops for adults living on a low income and/or with a disability. Glenda Payne grew up in Portland and currently lives in Troutdale. She is a stay-at-home mother of 8 children, ranging from 14 to 42 years old. In the 1970s, she studied graphic design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) before eventually switching to drawing. She admits that she was never as good at either of those as she was at writing, her passion. Writing and the creative arts are ever-present in her large family. Glenda has made it a tradition that every year for her birthday her children write a poem for her, and she writes for each of them in return. Then they gather together for a family reading. “I love having family around,” says Glenda, “and love seeing them realize how creative they all are.” Glenda became involved with Write Around Portland after seeing a piece about the organization in The Oregonian over a year ago. She has since participated in four workshops, including Write On for Returning Writers. An interview with Glenda and her writing follow. Sentries by Glenda Payne I don’t know the names of all the trees that tower over us stately and majestic. They line up behind our house and protect us from the violent winds that threaten to beat us down. They reach out and fan us in the heat when cool breezes blow through them. They’ve been patient with the children who live high up in them in nice weather. They never retaliate, though careless overzealous climbers break off their branches. They allow their leaves to be ripped off by small soldiers and used as currency to purchase whatever is offered for sale in the little forts that grow out of the floor of the green space they live on. The squirrels, a raccoon, and all sorts of birds make homes in their mighty boughs. By these things I know they must be friendly. Our many families have learned to trust in them. © Glenda Payne and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Glenda Payne Biography writer and interviewer: Caitlin Kirkley, Write Around Portland intern, pictured above with Glenda You’re a Write Around veteran with four workshops under your belt. How has your experience been overall? It’s been very exciting, and I’ve enjoyed it very much. I tend to be shy and luckily had the same workshop facilitator for the first few times, which really allowed me the feel comfortable. Everyone at Write Around is so encouraging. Each group had a different personality, very diverse. Had you written much before you became involved with Write Around Portland? I’ve mainly written fiction in the past. And I would occasionally write poetry when something would happen in my life that was really emotional. I began my first novel a few months before attending my first workshop last year. I hoped the workshops would help me hone my skills as a writer, which they have done. How have you grown personally as a result of participating in a workshop? I’ve had all these opportunities but never finished anything. I studied full time at PCNA while working full time and trying to raise three children alone. It was overwhelming. It was a time in my life when there wasn't much in the way of encouragement. I didn't have the courage to do my thesis because I was afraid the work wouldn't be received favorably. I didn't want to face another disappointment so I turned my back on that four years during which I'd actually gain a lot of knowledge and skill. Previously I'd pursued a degree in fashion. I lacked the courage to take the final steps to complete it. It was a pattern in my life: beginning something yet fearing to take the final steps needed to fulfill the dream: afraid of failing. Participating in the Write Around Portland workshops, I learned that people appreciated my work, and valued it. It was much more valuable than I had realized. And this validated what I was doing. That’s where my courage came from. I learned to take risks. How was your experience writing in a group? I sharpened my skills as a writer. Listening the others, as far as word choice, descriptions, has influenced me a lot. I learned how to be able to receive feedback and use it to become a better writer. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. It was good to have both a female and a male point of view, also. What did the workshop help you learn about others? About building community through writing? There are so many writers willing to share their experiences, share their lives. There are many ways of telling these stories, and many different words to use. In the Write Around Portland workshops diverse people meet as strangers and by the end of the workshops they've learned to respect and value one another through shared words and encouragement. I really bonded with my third workshop group and we still write together! Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people? Absolutely! And I do. For anyone that is on the fence about writing, it’s very freeing. Is there anything you would like to tell people about your writing? I read a lot: fiction non-fiction, I read it all. I'm always trying to educate my self in new ways of saying and describing things, people and situations. I'm also a careful observer of people and a listener of language; how people communicate with each other both by words and body language.	"Participating in the Write Around Portland workshops, I learned that people appreciated my work, and valued it...That’s where my courage came from. I learned to take risks." Glenda Payne, Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Glenda Payne Click here to read about past featured writers.
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