Featured Writer

Glen Ham

Glen Ham, age 20, is a student at Timber Lake Job Corps, a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor in Estacada, Oregon. The program helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career, technical and academic training. When he's not writing or welding, Glen enjoys playing video games, swimming and bike riding. He is pictured, right, reading his writing at our anthology release party.

Glen took a break from vertical groove welding in the metal shop to talk about his writing and his experience in a Write Around Portland workshop (see interview below). His piece, Did You Hear That?, was published in our newest anthology, Still the Days Grow Longer.

Did You Hear That?

by Glen Ham

Across the sky, in every direction, rain was falling, pummeling the surrounding masses around me. You could hear the spattering as it collided upon surfaces, some seen, some obscure, in the thick darkness of the stormy night. Lightening and thunder crashed through the sky, as if the gods Zeus and Thor were raging against each other, echoing an unknown rage on the battleground above. The powerful display of force and light zipped through the billowing hills.

The wondrous display could last for minutes or hours. None would truly know the victor, for we are not in their realm. Did you hear that? Across the sky they are marching, bringing this significant scene for others to witness as well.

Interview with Featured Writer Glen Ham

Photo: Glen Ham (front row, left, in black t-shirt) with his fellow Timber Lake Job Corps writers at the Write Around Portland reading

Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Kevin Fann and photo by Bonnie Caton

Would you recommend a Write Around Portland workshop to other people?

I’d say, “Go for it,” shy or not. I feel the workshops are very beneficial. You’ll learn a lot of new things and meet people, without even talking, actually. You just listen to their writings. It gives insight into people’s opinions, how they feel, and the things they’ve been through. And then you just kind of connect.

Something about writing connects on a whole deeper level than just conversing with people, anyway. It was an awesome experience. I loved it. I bet a lot of people get more than they expect from the workshops. It helps you listen and open your mind.

Creative writing is amazing.

How was sharing your writing in a group setting? Had you done that before?

Not willingly. School book reports and stuff, but other than that, I hadn’t really shared too many of my personal pieces before that. That was definitely something new about the workshop.

And how did that work out for you?

Pretty good. My first piece I wrote in the workshop, I didn’t personally feel like reading it, so I had somebody else read it. But almost every one after that I read, which I felt was a good experience.

What changed? Did you take yourself more seriously? Less seriously?

I guess I didn’t criticize my writing as much, because other people agreed that it was good in a sense and gave their input. When it got closer to time submit a piece [for publication, at the end of the 10-week workshop], we’d read over our work with somebody else in the workshop, and they would reflect upon how we could do it better.

The main feedback I remember were the positive ones, where I had a lot of description so that people could step into my writing more.

Were you nervous about attending the first workshop?

I personally liked it. A little bit nervous to read in a group, but other than that, I signed up [for the workshop] because I’ve always known I liked writing.

Do you have a set schedule or do you write whenever you want to?

Whenever I can. Whenever it’s quiet enough that I can maintain some of the focus. Here at Job Corp, I’m stuck between trade, recreation, keeping my life organized, sign-in schedules, meetings, everything.

What’s the best thing about writing to you?

The escape. You get to forget about your worries and stresses and relax and write about whatever you want.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Glen Ham Glen Ham, age 20, is a student at Timber Lake Job Corps, a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor in Estacada, Oregon. The program helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career, technical and academic training. When he's not writing or welding, Glen enjoys playing video games, swimming and bike riding. He is pictured, right, reading his writing at our anthology release party. Glen took a break from vertical groove welding in the metal shop to talk about his writing and his experience in a Write Around Portland workshop (see interview below). His piece, Did You Hear That?, was published in our newest anthology, Still the Days Grow Longer. Did You Hear That? by Glen Ham Across the sky, in every direction, rain was falling, pummeling the surrounding masses around me. You could hear the spattering as it collided upon surfaces, some seen, some obscure, in the thick darkness of the stormy night. Lightening and thunder crashed through the sky, as if the gods Zeus and Thor were raging against each other, echoing an unknown rage on the battleground above. The powerful display of force and light zipped through the billowing hills. The wondrous display could last for minutes or hours. None would truly know the victor, for we are not in their realm. Did you hear that? Across the sky they are marching, bringing this significant scene for others to witness as well. © 2011 Glen Ham & Write Around Portland Interview with Featured Writer Glen Ham Photo: Glen Ham (front row, left, in black t-shirt) with his fellow Timber Lake Job Corps writers at the Write Around Portland reading Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Kevin Fann and photo by Bonnie Caton Would you recommend a Write Around Portland workshop to other people? I’d say, “Go for it,” shy or not. I feel the workshops are very beneficial. You’ll learn a lot of new things and meet people, without even talking, actually. You just listen to their writings. It gives insight into people’s opinions, how they feel, and the things they’ve been through. And then you just kind of connect. Something about writing connects on a whole deeper level than just conversing with people, anyway. It was an awesome experience. I loved it. I bet a lot of people get more than they expect from the workshops. It helps you listen and open your mind. Creative writing is amazing. How was sharing your writing in a group setting? Had you done that before? Not willingly. School book reports and stuff, but other than that, I hadn’t really shared too many of my personal pieces before that. That was definitely something new about the workshop. And how did that work out for you? Pretty good. My first piece I wrote in the workshop, I didn’t personally feel like reading it, so I had somebody else read it. But almost every one after that I read, which I felt was a good experience. What changed? Did you take yourself more seriously? Less seriously? I guess I didn’t criticize my writing as much, because other people agreed that it was good in a sense and gave their input. When it got closer to time submit a piece [for publication, at the end of the 10-week workshop], we’d read over our work with somebody else in the workshop, and they would reflect upon how we could do it better. The main feedback I remember were the positive ones, where I had a lot of description so that people could step into my writing more. Were you nervous about attending the first workshop? I personally liked it. A little bit nervous to read in a group, but other than that, I signed up [for the workshop] because I’ve always known I liked writing. Do you have a set schedule or do you write whenever you want to? Whenever I can. Whenever it’s quiet enough that I can maintain some of the focus. Here at Job Corp, I’m stuck between trade, recreation, keeping my life organized, sign-in schedules, meetings, everything. What’s the best thing about writing to you? The escape. You get to forget about your worries and stresses and relax and write about whatever you want.	"Something about writing connects on a whole deeper level than just conversing with people. Creative writing is amazing." --Glen Ham Workshop Participant Donate Now Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Glen Ham Click here for archive of past featured writers
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