Featured Writer

Steven Banard

Writing Workshop Participant at New Columbia and in our workshop for veterans, including those living with PTSD.

Steven is a 56-year-old Vietnam Veteran and former barber of 12 years. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Steven grew up in Southern California and has been living in Vancouver, Washington since he got out of the US Marine Corps in 1970. Currently retired, Steven spends his time reading, writing, and doing abstract art. He aspires to someday show his art publicly, as well as publish a book about his experience in Vietnam.

Steven is pictured, right. His poem, published in our Fall 2006 anthology, Echoes, and interview follow:

Fall

by Steven Banard

Swirling, twirling, a dancing frenzy, signals the call.

Colors surround, quietly exalt, beauty of their meaning.

Littering the scape, before the rains, heralding end of fall.

A celebration to mark the return of a new beginning.

Once glorious trees, now leafless frames, pondering winter’s mount.

Like no other, these days of fall, alert me to why I’m so grateful

As are the stars above, these special days I do count,

Leaves with fall colors I do count, as beautiful.

Soon these dazzling displays, commanded by shouts of wind,

Soon all will stand bare.

All year, waiting to appear, fall leaves come out from hiding in the mix.

Sweet living colors, reflecting another year of Mother’s care.

Bringing cool from summer’s tempest, preparing for winter’s risks.

Soothing warm, bright, comforting to behold,

Each with certain dignity, red, orange, golden-yellows filter down.

By these delights of season, our lives unfold.

These diminished remains cast a renewable strength, where once again,

These glorious colors can always be found.

Interview with featured writer Steven Banard

Interviewer: Jennifer Sherowski, Write Around Portland volunteer

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

I found it really great. They have so many different ways to bring out your ideas, like prompts, sounds, or words. It’s very motivating—I even try to continue using those prompts for my writing outside of the workshops.

Had you written much before joining the Write Around Portland workshop?

I did a series of poems, maybe about 30 of them, and a short story. But it’s been a lot of fun to have a workshop facilitator to help come up with the ideas. It really brings out your individual way of expressing things. Like, a story isn’t very interesting unless it’s told in an interesting way. I found it really motivational—you tend to surprise yourself with what you’re capable of in these workshops.

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

That was really great, too. It gives you a level to see where you’re at and how you can improve or utilize someone else’s techniques. One person might use a lot of dialogue, and another might use a lot of descriptive words, or be blunt and to the point, or too imaginative. I didn't have a lot of experience in those groups, so I was pretty keyed up trying to read at first. But sharing is really gratifying because it’s not a competition—it’s supportive. You want to bolster people’s confidence.

You’ve read your work at two Write Around Portland community readings so far. Tell us about that experience.

The first time was very overwhelming. I was lucky I was able to read what I did and not really stutter. The second time I read a poem called “Fall” [see above] which I’m really quite proud of. I was able to collect my thoughts and look out at the crowd afterwards to address them and thank Write Around Portland for all the opportunities.

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

Well, I know now that I do have a flair for writing and an ability to put words together—maybe not that much different from anybody else—but I really enjoy it. It has inspired me to put together a book on my Vietnam experience—that’s my goal right now. And I really look forward to keeping up with the workshops.

What did you get out of the workshops?

I love the reaction of people when they connect with my writing. It’s very encouraging—not just for future writing, but for the social aspect and for self esteem. It helps a person in many different aspects of their life.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops for others?

Absolutely. If you’ve never even written a stitch before, it’s absolutely beneficial. [Write Around Portland] selects a workshop facilitator who makes it fun, and a beginning, slow process—a progressive thing. It’s non-intimidating and really easy to be imaginative.

Is there anything you want to tell readers about your writing?

Just that it’s very pleasant to put down something in words in a way that conveys meaning to someone else. I really enjoy my writing a lot.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Steven Banard Writing Workshop Participant at New Columbia and in our workshop for veterans, including those living with PTSD. Steven is a 56-year-old Vietnam Veteran and former barber of 12 years. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Steven grew up in Southern California and has been living in Vancouver, Washington since he got out of the US Marine Corps in 1970. Currently retired, Steven spends his time reading, writing, and doing abstract art. He aspires to someday show his art publicly, as well as publish a book about his experience in Vietnam. Steven is pictured, right. His poem, published in our Fall 2006 anthology, Echoes, and interview follow: Fall by Steven Banard Swirling, twirling, a dancing frenzy, signals the call. Colors surround, quietly exalt, beauty of their meaning. Littering the scape, before the rains, heralding end of fall. A celebration to mark the return of a new beginning. Once glorious trees, now leafless frames, pondering winter’s mount. Like no other, these days of fall, alert me to why I’m so grateful As are the stars above, these special days I do count, Leaves with fall colors I do count, as beautiful. Soon these dazzling displays, commanded by shouts of wind, Soon all will stand bare. All year, waiting to appear, fall leaves come out from hiding in the mix. Sweet living colors, reflecting another year of Mother’s care. Bringing cool from summer’s tempest, preparing for winter’s risks. Soothing warm, bright, comforting to behold, Each with certain dignity, red, orange, golden-yellows filter down. By these delights of season, our lives unfold. These diminished remains cast a renewable strength, where once again, These glorious colors can always be found. Interview with featured writer Steven Banard Interviewer: Jennifer Sherowski, Write Around Portland volunteer *Tell us about your experience in a Write Around* *Portland* *Workshop.* I found it really great. They have so many different ways to bring out your ideas, like prompts, sounds, or words. It’s very motivating—I even try to continue using those prompts for my writing outside of the workshops. Had you written much before joining the Write Around Portland workshop? I did a series of poems, maybe about 30 of them, and a short story. But it’s been a lot of fun to have a workshop facilitator to help come up with the ideas. It really brings out your individual way of expressing things. Like, a story isn’t very interesting unless it’s told in an interesting way. I found it really motivational—you tend to surprise yourself with what you’re capable of in these workshops. How was your experience working in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories? That was really great, too. It gives you a level to see where you’re at and how you can improve or utilize someone else’s techniques. One person might use a lot of dialogue, and another might use a lot of descriptive words, or be blunt and to the point, or too imaginative. I didn't have a lot of experience in those groups, so I was pretty keyed up trying to read at first. But sharing is really gratifying because it’s not a competition—it’s supportive. You want to bolster people’s confidence. You’ve read your work at two Write Around Portland community readings so far. Tell us about that experience. The first time was very overwhelming. I was lucky I was able to read what I did and not really stutter. The second time I read a poem called “Fall” [see above] which I’m really quite proud of. I was able to collect my thoughts and look out at the crowd afterwards to address them and thank Write Around Portland for all the opportunities. What did the workshops help you learn about yourself as a writer? Well, I know now that I do have a flair for writing and an ability to put words together—maybe not that much different from anybody else—but I really enjoy it. It has inspired me to put together a book on my Vietnam experience—that’s my goal right now. And I really look forward to keeping up with the workshops. What did you get out of the workshops? I love the reaction of people when they connect with my writing. It’s very encouraging—not just for future writing, but for the social aspect and for self esteem. It helps a person in many different aspects of their life. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops for others? Absolutely. If you’ve never even written a stitch before, it’s absolutely beneficial. [Write Around Portland] selects a workshop facilitator who makes it fun, and a beginning, slow process—a progressive thing. It’s non-intimidating and really easy to be imaginative. Is there anything you want to tell readers about your writing? Just that it’s very pleasant to put down something in words in a way that conveys meaning to someone else. I really enjoy my writing a lot.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer Steven Banard Click here to read about past featured writers.
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