Featured Writer

Maggie Oesting

Maggie Oesting is about to turn 21. She moved to Portland last August and has been sober for 9 months. In that time she has been published, moved into an apartment, started working at Voodoo Doughnut, and is in her 4th month of the Circus Project's Intensive Training Company, where she is specializing in Lyra. She recently participated in Write Around Portland’s Downtown Group for adults living on a very low income and/or with a disability.

The title of our spring anthology, Still the Days Grow Longer, comes from a line in Maggie’s writing. You can read that piece and an interview with her below.

A Contraction of Heat

by Maggie Oesting

The days grew longer while I was slumped in the corner by the front door; cool-ugly linoleum sticking to the backs of my bare legs, sweat pooling in the creases behind my knees. How much longer? was the question dancing inside with an increasing pressure. Burnt out on bikes and popsicles, were these the days I had waited for? The sun was growing as an increasing burden, the sun I had waited for patiently as my body melted into the hard orange classroom chair.

As blue sky washed black into twilight, my wish for the fiery orb to fall away into new dimensions came true and I felt my fate as an elementary prophet. Walking into dream states with the same close sound of the freeway I have always known. Now eight hundred miles from that home the cars still drone past my window and still the days grow longer; the asphalt pushing and pulling in a contraction of heat.

Interview with Featured Writer Maggie Oesting

Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Amanda Miller and photo by Bonnie Caton

How did you find out about Write Around Portland?

When I moved here, I got involved with Outside/In and the Homeless Youth Continuum. I got access to art and opportunities that let me take charge of my life. Guerrilla Theater referred me over to Write Around Portland. Now there's so much involvement with the organization. I honestly wasn't surprised when I was asked to be the featured writer. They maintained contact and everyone is really nice.

Have you always been a writer?

I've always been a performer, and I've always been a writer. It's a constant in my life. But when I was in a bad place, I was paralyzed with my words and neglected my writing.

What did you get out of the workshop?

It was great to have that space to write. The workshop was the best catapult for me, it was a confidence booster. Now I can say, "I'm a published writer!" I love reading my stuff to other people, hearing other people's work. That type of sharing is great as a performer.

How do you feel about writing in community?

It's inspiring! Writing is usually alone and solitary. The noise of other people writing is so calm. If you get lost, you have the backlog of conversations in the room to draw from. I was glad to get bits of other people here who I'd never know otherwise. And doing all of these activities I love has helped me to bounce back. I'm glad to have reasons to get out of bed.

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself?

The past year has been a whirlwind. At the time it didn't seem as exciting or worthwhile, but everything has been informative and shaped who I am now. I want to share my story, just to get it out. I don't care if people like it, but I think they would.

I'm a fan of young adult fiction. I believe a lot of young people could learn from the lessons I've taught myself. I like the idea of coming full circle, seeing all the coincidences and things overlapping. I've chosen to be guided by that. Choosing the Lyra, which is a circle, getting a job with doughnuts (circles). I feel safe in the hoop.

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

Oh, yes! Everyone is a writer and has something they need to get out. There's so much stuff and anxiety, the weight we carry on our shoulders. You've gotta share that. And the workshop is a safe and positive space. I've love to take another workshop, but I don't know if I'll have the time.

Can you tell us a little about your piece A Contraction of Heat in the Write Around Portland anthology?

I have this vivid memory of one day in elementary school. My parents are making dinner. I remember thinking, “when does life start to pick up and when do I become my own person?" It's my earliest memory of depression, but the memory's not in the summer. Summer has always been a magical and gnawing time. There's so much beauty in the weather and in nature, a time of options and decisions and mysteries.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Maggie Oesting Maggie Oesting is about to turn 21. She moved to Portland last August and has been sober for 9 months. In that time she has been published, moved into an apartment, started working at Voodoo Doughnut, and is in her 4th month of the Circus Project's Intensive Training Company, where she is specializing in Lyra. She recently participated in Write Around Portland’s Downtown Group for adults living on a very low income and/or with a disability. The title of our spring anthology, Still the Days Grow Longer, comes from a line in Maggie’s writing. You can read that piece and an interview with her below. A Contraction of Heat by Maggie Oesting The days grew longer while I was slumped in the corner by the front door; cool-ugly linoleum sticking to the backs of my bare legs, sweat pooling in the creases behind my knees. How much longer? was the question dancing inside with an increasing pressure. Burnt out on bikes and popsicles, were these the days I had waited for? The sun was growing as an increasing burden, the sun I had waited for patiently as my body melted into the hard orange classroom chair. As blue sky washed black into twilight, my wish for the fiery orb to fall away into new dimensions came true and I felt my fate as an elementary prophet. Walking into dream states with the same close sound of the freeway I have always known. Now eight hundred miles from that home the cars still drone past my window and still the days grow longer; the asphalt pushing and pulling in a contraction of heat. © 2011 Maggie Oesting & Write Around Portland Interview with Featured Writer Maggie Oesting Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Amanda Miller and photo by Bonnie Caton How did you find out about Write Around Portland? When I moved here, I got involved with Outside/In and the Homeless Youth Continuum. I got access to art and opportunities that let me take charge of my life. Guerrilla Theater referred me over to Write Around Portland. Now there's so much involvement with the organization. I honestly wasn't surprised when I was asked to be the featured writer. They maintained contact and everyone is really nice. Have you always been a writer? I've always been a performer, and I've always been a writer. It's a constant in my life. But when I was in a bad place, I was paralyzed with my words and neglected my writing. What did you get out of the workshop? It was great to have that space to write. The workshop was the best catapult for me, it was a confidence booster. Now I can say, "I'm a published writer!" I love reading my stuff to other people, hearing other people's work. That type of sharing is great as a performer. How do you feel about writing in community? It's inspiring! Writing is usually alone and solitary. The noise of other people writing is so calm. If you get lost, you have the backlog of conversations in the room to draw from. I was glad to get bits of other people here who I'd never know otherwise. And doing all of these activities I love has helped me to bounce back. I'm glad to have reasons to get out of bed. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself? The past year has been a whirlwind. At the time it didn't seem as exciting or worthwhile, but everything has been informative and shaped who I am now. I want to share my story, just to get it out. I don't care if people like it, but I think they would. I'm a fan of young adult fiction. I believe a lot of young people could learn from the lessons I've taught myself. I like the idea of coming full circle, seeing all the coincidences and things overlapping. I've chosen to be guided by that. Choosing the Lyra, which is a circle, getting a job with doughnuts (circles). I feel safe in the hoop. Would you recommend a Write Around Portland workshop to other people? Oh, yes! Everyone is a writer and has something they need to get out. There's so much stuff and anxiety, the weight we carry on our shoulders. You've gotta share that. And the workshop is a safe and positive space. I've love to take another workshop, but I don't know if I'll have the time. *Can you tell us a little about your piece A Contraction of Heat* in the Write Around Portland anthology?** I have this vivid memory of one day in elementary school. My parents are making dinner. I remember thinking, “when does life start to pick up and when do I become my own person?" It's my earliest memory of depression, but the memory's not in the summer. Summer has always been a magical and gnawing time. There's so much beauty in the weather and in nature, a time of options and decisions and mysteries.	"Now I can say, I'm a published writer!" --Maggie Oesting Workshop Participant Donate Now Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Maggie Oesting Click here for archive of past featured writers
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