Featured Writer

Joseph Jacobus

To Joseph Jacobus, No Matter What is more than a mere combination of words, simple phrase or title. It’s a way of life. The mantra can be found tattooed across his chest, emblazoned in white letters on the back of a red T-shirt his girlfriend made him. It’s the title of his poem featured in the Write Around Portland anthology, More Than a Book.

The 26-year-old father-to-be was born and raised in Portland. His dad, mom, older sister, younger brother and girlfriend call the Rose City home. Joseph, a Portland Community College student, says, “Eventually, I want to do auto body painting.” Joseph participated in the Write Around Portland workshop at the VOA Men’s Residential Treatment Center. He says his experience in drug and alcohol rehabilitation shapes not only his writing but every element of his life, from school to work to preparing for the birth of his child.

Joseph's writing, which was published in our anthology, and an interview about his experience writing in community follow.

No Matter What

by Joseph Jacobus

Early morning fog covers the surroundings. I pay attention, one foot in front of the other. Leaves flying off my soles. Music loud, but I’m unable to pay attention.

My head is my only concern.

Cars and trucks speed by, but all I see is pictures in my mind.

I see myself as who I was: a strung-out dope fiend, with pipe dreams clouded by concrete walls and prison bars.

I see myself alone on a mission to lose myself. But that was then. I always reminisce, for it keeps me strong.

I get to the bus stop soaked from head to toe, looking up to see that the bus already passed...

READ THE FULL PIECE

Interview with featured writer Joseph Jacobus

Biography writer and interviewer: Bob Albrecht, volunteer

How was your overall experience with Write Around Portland? How did it challenge you?

When I started doing the workshop, they said “writing,” and I was intrigued. It was tough because I’m used to writing what I want. I liked having feedback; it was all positive.

What did you get out of the workshop?

I learned how to write when I was prison. The only way to meet new women was to intrigue them into writing back to me. ‘Hey, what’s up?’ didn’t cut it. It meant more to entertain through the letter than bore them through it.

I feel real confident about my stuff. I enjoyed getting feedback. I enjoyed being able to give 'em feedback. It helped me learn that I was good at writing. With the feedback, it helped me get better.

I invited my mom to the Write Around Portland reading. I mean, I told my mom she needed to come, but I didn’t tell her what it was about. She had no idea. I got up there and was able to read my poem [above]. She was really happy.

What did you learn about building community; other people in the group?

A lot of people get vulnerable when they write. You learn more about them when they share, when you listen to the writing rather than just read it. In rehab, I could see when someone was getting vulnerable, when they wanted to get high and I’m going to drop everything to help them.

With the writing, I was able to see when they were getting vulnerable. I was able to learn some of their strong points. I smiled when I saw growth. When someone who started out writing scattered, and a couple weeks later they made sense, that was awesome.

How do your experiences influence you writing? What inspires you to write?

No Matter What is my recovery. I live it every day. That’s what recovery is about, coming from a life of addiction to recovery. I’ve got to take serious my job, school, everything. That’s what I write about. It’s inspirational to be in recovery.

No Matter What is about coming from nothing, and not making it to the top, but struggling through the process to succeed. It’s the journey, more than the accomplishment. No Matter What is what I live by. I gotta stay focused, move forward. It gives me hope. Write Around Portland, through the experience, can give people a voice. It can give hope.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland to other people?

I would recommend it to people who want to try something different. It’s helped me in school, tapping into my creativity. I recommend it to people all the time.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Joseph Jacobus To Joseph Jacobus, No Matter What is more than a mere combination of words, simple phrase or title. It’s a way of life. The mantra can be found tattooed across his chest, emblazoned in white letters on the back of a red T-shirt his girlfriend made him. It’s the title of his poem featured in the Write Around Portland anthology, More Than a Book. The 26-year-old father-to-be was born and raised in Portland. His dad, mom, older sister, younger brother and girlfriend call the Rose City home. Joseph, a Portland Community College student, says, “Eventually, I want to do auto body painting.” Joseph participated in the Write Around Portland workshop at the VOA Men’s Residential Treatment Center. He says his experience in drug and alcohol rehabilitation shapes not only his writing but every element of his life, from school to work to preparing for the birth of his child. Joseph's writing, which was published in our anthology, and an interview about his experience writing in community follow. No Matter What by Joseph Jacobus Early morning fog covers the surroundings. I pay attention, one foot in front of the other. Leaves flying off my soles. Music loud, but I’m unable to pay attention. My head is my only concern. Cars and trucks speed by, but all I see is pictures in my mind. I see myself as who I was: a strung-out dope fiend, with pipe dreams clouded by concrete walls and prison bars. I see myself alone on a mission to lose myself. But that was then. I always reminisce, for it keeps me strong. I get to the bus stop soaked from head to toe, looking up to see that the bus already passed... READ THE FULL PIECE Interview with featured writer Joseph Jacobus Biography writer and interviewer: Bob Albrecht, volunteer How was your overall experience with Write Around Portland? How did it challenge you? When I started doing the workshop, they said “writing,” and I was intrigued. It was tough because I’m used to writing what I want. I liked having feedback; it was all positive. What did you get out of the workshop? I learned how to write when I was prison. The only way to meet new women was to intrigue them into writing back to me. ‘Hey, what’s up?’ didn’t cut it. It meant more to entertain through the letter than bore them through it. I feel real confident about my stuff. I enjoyed getting feedback. I enjoyed being able to give 'em feedback. It helped me learn that I was good at writing. With the feedback, it helped me get better. I invited my mom to the Write Around Portland reading. I mean, I told my mom she needed to come, but I didn’t tell her what it was about. She had no idea. I got up there and was able to read my poem [above]. She was really happy. What did you learn about building community; other people in the group? A lot of people get vulnerable when they write. You learn more about them when they share, when you listen to the writing rather than just read it. In rehab, I could see when someone was getting vulnerable, when they wanted to get high and I’m going to drop everything to help them. With the writing, I was able to see when they were getting vulnerable. I was able to learn some of their strong points. I smiled when I saw growth. When someone who started out writing scattered, and a couple weeks later they made sense, that was awesome. How do your experiences influence you writing? What inspires you to write? No Matter What is my recovery. I live it every day. That’s what recovery is about, coming from a life of addiction to recovery. I’ve got to take serious my job, school, everything. That’s what I write about. It’s inspirational to be in recovery. No Matter What is about coming from nothing, and not making it to the top, but struggling through the process to succeed. It’s the journey, more than the accomplishment. No Matter What is what I live by. I gotta stay focused, move forward. It gives me hope. Write Around Portland, through the experience, can give people a voice. It can give hope. Would you recommend Write Around Portland to other people? I would recommend it to people who want to try something different. It’s helped me in school, tapping into my creativity. I recommend it to people all the time.	"Coming from a life of addiction to recovery...I’ve got to take serious my job, school, everything. That’s what I write about. It’s inspirational to be in recovery." --Joseph Jacobus, Workshop Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Joseph Jacobus Click here to read about previous featured writers.
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