Featured Writer

"Mim" Mimmack

Writing Workshop Participant with the Elder Resource Alliance. We are holding another workshop with ERA in summer 2007.

Mim Mimmack is a retired middle school English teacher who took part in a Write Around Portland workshop at The Friendly House in the fall. Mim is 71 years old and has been writing seriously since about 1980. She has a brother who lives in El Paso, Texas and another in Palo Alto, California. An interview with Mim and her writing follow.

Waddling Around Portland

by "Mim" Mimmack

With thanks and apologies to William Butler Yeats for his amazing poem, "Slouching Toward Bethlehem"

spent most of my life

somewhere else

practicing life

doing my best

all the while

searching for that song

the one that plays

when about to be lovers

meet for the first time

where is the touch

that burns through me

when her soul finds me

where are those eyes

the ones that hold

the only relevant truth

so here I am

waddling around Portland

it’s not Bethlehem

but it’s a good place to wait

for that touch

those eyes

our truth

our song

Interview with featured writer Mim Mimmack

Biography writer/Interviewer: J. Peter Roth, Write Around Portland Volunteer Workshop Facilitator

What was your experience with Write Around Portland like?

For me it was a shot in the arm. [Our volunteer workshop facilitator] Adrienna was just wonderful to work with. It was a very safe place – a safe environment. Some of us enjoyed it so much we started an online [writing] group. We take turns facilitating and coming up with prompts and continue serious critiquing.

How has Write Around Portland affected you as a writer and a person?

It helped with my confidence to express myself. It gave me confidence to speak up in groups. The difference with Write Around Portland workshops and other groups is you make positive remarks. I had never read in public before. I was a bit nervous, but I read [at the anthology release party] and was comfortable.

How is your writing affected in the group setting as opposed to working alone?

I love it because [the feedback] is immediate. You can pass if you want. That’s always an option. You’re all in the same boat.

In what way do you think your Write Around Portland experience has affected others?

We formed that online group, in addition to meeting in person once a month. We still write and continue to have an influence on each other. Sometimes Adrienna visits our online site.

What do you want people to know about you and your experience?

I think it’s a fabulous organization. The more I know the more I want to know. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer "Mim" Mimmack Writing Workshop Participant with the Elder Resource Alliance. We are holding another workshop with ERA in summer 2007. Mim Mimmack is a retired middle school English teacher who took part in a Write Around Portland workshop at The Friendly House in the fall. Mim is 71 years old and has been writing seriously since about 1980. She has a brother who lives in El Paso, Texas and another in Palo Alto, California. An interview with Mim and her writing follow. Waddling Around Portland by "Mim" Mimmack With thanks and apologies to William Butler Yeats for his amazing poem, "Slouching Toward Bethlehem" spent most of my life somewhere else practicing life doing my best all the while searching for that song the one that plays when about to be lovers meet for the first time where is the touch that burns through me when her soul finds me where are those eyes the ones that hold the only relevant truth so here I am waddling around Portland it’s not Bethlehem but it’s a good place to wait for that touch those eyes our truth our song © Write Around Portland & Mim Mimmack Interview with featured writer Mim Mimmack Biography writer/Interviewer: J. Peter Roth, Write Around Portland Volunteer Workshop Facilitator What was your experience with Write Around Portland like? For me it was a shot in the arm. [Our volunteer workshop facilitator] Adrienna was just wonderful to work with. It was a very safe place – a safe environment. Some of us enjoyed it so much we started an online [writing] group. We take turns facilitating and coming up with prompts and continue serious critiquing. *How has Write Around* *Portland* *affected you as a writer and a person?* It helped with my confidence to express myself. It gave me confidence to speak up in groups. The difference with Write Around Portland workshops and other groups is you make positive remarks. I had never read in public before. I was a bit nervous, but I read [at the anthology release party] and was comfortable. *How is your writing affected in the group setting as opposed to working alone?* I love it because [the feedback] is immediate. You can pass if you want. That’s always an option. You’re all in the same boat. *In what way do you think your Write Around* *Portland* *experience has affected others?* We formed that online group, in addition to meeting in person once a month. We still write and continue to have an influence on each other. Sometimes Adrienna visits our online site. *What do you want people to know about you and your experience?* I think it’s a fabulous organization. The more I know the more I want to know. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer "Mim" Mimmack Click here to read about past featured writers.
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