Featured Writer

Richard Lynn

Writing Workshop Participant at Homestreet Banyan Tree for adults living with mental illness.

Richard has been a man of many occupations and hobbies throughout his life. Not only does he work part-time at an auto business he also devotes time as a drop-in center employee at a mental health facility in Hillsboro where he provides security, janitorial and kitchen services. He also spent 7 years as a mail clerk, which is something he hopes to get back into soon.

Richard takes a strong interest in the idea of questions and the way our lives are infused with them, and is currently writing a paper on these topics in his spare time. Richard considers himself a man of faith and attends church every Sunday. He loves kids and has many young nieces and nephews.

You can read Richard's writing, which is featured in our most recent anthology, See the Water Rise/Ver Las Aguas Subir, below. An interview with Richard about his experience writing in community follows.

Passage Into Eternity

by Richard Lynn

If I had only one month to live…The thoughts of the end of living in this present state bumble around in my mind like ping-pong balls in a transparent glass jar. Why has my life been as good as it has? Living in a free land where we can worship, work, and shop where we choose. Humans were made for loving one another and having a care for their surroundings, being resourceful and innovative if not creative.

If I had only a short while left in this mortal body, I would propose to the woman that I was most attracted to and find a two bedroom, two bath ranch house in the country with a big yard for our yellow lab to play in. I would write about all the ideas that I have been pondering over the years and try to eat well every day, savoring every breath until my heart stops beating.

Interview with featured writer Richard Lynn

Biography Writer and Interviewer: Kasey Stewart

Write Around Portland Volunteer, pictured below with Richard

Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop.

My counselor was the one who put me in touch with Write Around Portland. It was interesting to write creatively. I’d written in college, written letters to my family members, and even written a grant, but it was a joy to have the chance to write creatively. It was really mind-opening to write with prompts and the [workshop facilitators] were wonderful to work with.

What did you get out of the workshop?

I was able to express myself and appreciate others’ writing. It was nice to get feedback from others on the things that I wrote.

Had you written much before you joined the workshop?

I wrote a paper in 2005 that was five pages long, and I’ve also written letters to my aunts. One thing I liked about writing in the group is that it really gets the ink flowing and gets the ideas out on paper—I can write faster than I can talk.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories?

It was so uplifting and energizing. We all generated interest amongst each other. It helped that the workshops were segmented—we’d spend a few minutes writing on a prompt, then a few minutes giving and getting feedback. I don’t think I could sit down and write long enough to write a book.

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer?

That I can write creatively. Except for a few short stories in school, I didn’t do much creative writing. I would like to keep going with this since I am now eligible for the [Write On] returning writers workshop.

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

That I enjoy doing it. I like to write about things that make me think and sensational things that grab my attention.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Richard Lynn Writing Workshop Participant at Homestreet Banyan Tree for adults living with mental illness. Richard has been a man of many occupations and hobbies throughout his life. Not only does he work part-time at an auto business he also devotes time as a drop-in center employee at a mental health facility in Hillsboro where he provides security, janitorial and kitchen services. He also spent 7 years as a mail clerk, which is something he hopes to get back into soon. Richard takes a strong interest in the idea of questions and the way our lives are infused with them, and is currently writing a paper on these topics in his spare time. Richard considers himself a man of faith and attends church every Sunday. He loves kids and has many young nieces and nephews. You can read Richard's writing, which is featured in our most recent anthology, See the Water Rise/Ver Las Aguas Subir, below. An interview with Richard about his experience writing in community follows. Passage Into Eternity by Richard Lynn If I had only one month to live…The thoughts of the end of living in this present state bumble around in my mind like ping-pong balls in a transparent glass jar. Why has my life been as good as it has? Living in a free land where we can worship, work, and shop where we choose. Humans were made for loving one another and having a care for their surroundings, being resourceful and innovative if not creative. If I had only a short while left in this mortal body, I would propose to the woman that I was most attracted to and find a two bedroom, two bath ranch house in the country with a big yard for our yellow lab to play in. I would write about all the ideas that I have been pondering over the years and try to eat well every day, savoring every breath until my heart stops beating. © Richard Lynn and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Richard Lynn Biography Writer and Interviewer: Kasey Stewart Write Around Portland Volunteer, pictured below with Richard Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop. My counselor was the one who put me in touch with Write Around Portland. It was interesting to write creatively. I’d written in college, written letters to my family members, and even written a grant, but it was a joy to have the chance to write creatively. It was really mind-opening to write with prompts and the [workshop facilitators] were wonderful to work with. What did you get out of the workshop? I was able to express myself and appreciate others’ writing. It was nice to get feedback from others on the things that I wrote. Had you written much before you joined the workshop? I wrote a paper in 2005 that was five pages long, and I’ve also written letters to my aunts. One thing I liked about writing in the group is that it really gets the ink flowing and gets the ideas out on paper—I can write faster than I can talk. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories? It was so uplifting and energizing. We all generated interest amongst each other. It helped that the workshops were segmented—we’d spend a few minutes writing on a prompt, then a few minutes giving and getting feedback. I don’t think I could sit down and write long enough to write a book. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? That I can write creatively. Except for a few short stories in school, I didn’t do much creative writing. I would like to keep going with this since I am now eligible for the [Write On] returning writers workshop. Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing? That I enjoy doing it. I like to write about things that make me think and sensational things that grab my attention.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer Richard Lynn Click here to read about past featured writers.
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