Featured Writers

Shirley

Participant in our writing workshop with Rahab's Sisters and Lifeworks NW New Options Program for women who are exiting the sex industry, who are affected by addiction or homelessness.

Shirley, 48, is from Portland. She is a grandmother of seven and mother of a son and four daughters, three of whom share her love of writing. Shirley says that she was “wild in her younger years.” She has done a lot of traveling, including to Florida, California, Alaska and Seattle, and she loves to write, draw and read. Currently, she is in recovery and she is actively looking for a job and housing.

An interview with Shirley and her poem from our anthology More Than a Book follow.

Choices

by Shirley

Choices, choosing, chosen, choices.
I did have…
I didn't have…
I didn't have to…
I didn't have to what?
What?
I didn't have to pick, though I must've picked
I didn't have to pick…
Pick what?
The worst…and…

I didn't have to be…
But then I did have to be…
Because I did become what I am…
and, so…
I inevitably grew into that
Which I was meant to be…
Me!
You see?
Choices.

Interview with featured writer Shirley

How was your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop?

My writing comes from living a hard life and being backed into corners. I had to write in order to keep from going crazy. The workshop showed me that I can press a button – using writing prompts – and make the writing come out on my own. Writing can be on my terms.

What did you get out of the workshop?

It gave me a look at different people’s styles of writing. I came to find out that there are some wonderful writers out there!

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

I always got A’s in English and art classes, but in 2006, I started actually considering myself a writer. I wrote poetry about addiction, depression, how people use each other, co-dependency, faith.

I even wrote a Dr. Seuss-type poem about something really deep. It was childish writing but it was about something really difficult. I even remember writing a letter to my higher power to take away my addiction cravings.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others and hearing their writing?

It added some pressure to it – but not necessarily good or bad. It was an outside sort of pressure to write, to produce, a whole different dynamic. It made me create things that were rough, but that I could go back over and refine.

I liked getting the feedback from the other women in the workshop. I got to learn what other people were thinking about my writing, what stood out. It was helpful.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people?

Yes, if they had it in their heart and they wanted to write. It’s a really nice experience. Devon, the volunteer workshop facilitator, was my buddy.

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

That it doesn’t have to be perfect. The piece I wrote that was picked for the Write Around Portland anthology ["Choices," above] was just a conversation with myself. I never thought I’d have my thought patterns published!

What did the workshop help you about building community through writing?

People coming together can be a power to help enhance each other.

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

I’m in recovery now. Before I got clean and sober, it made me lose everything. I’m just focused on getting housing and trying to find an office job, so I’m not writing right now, but stay tuned. I’ll be back!


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writers Shirley Participant in our writing workshop with Rahab's Sisters and Lifeworks NW New Options Program for women who are exiting the sex industry, who are affected by addiction or homelessness. Shirley, 48, is from Portland. She is a grandmother of seven and mother of a son and four daughters, three of whom share her love of writing. Shirley says that she was “wild in her younger years.” She has done a lot of traveling, including to Florida, California, Alaska and Seattle, and she loves to write, draw and read. Currently, she is in recovery and she is actively looking for a job and housing. An interview with Shirley and her poem from our anthology More Than a Book follow. Choices by Shirley Choices, choosing, chosen, choices. I did have… I didn't have… I didn't have to… I didn't have to what? What? I didn't have to pick, though I must've picked I didn't have to pick… Pick what? The worst…and… I didn't have to be… But then I did have to be… Because I did become what I am… and, so… I inevitably grew into that Which I was meant to be… Me! You see? Choices. © Shirley and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Shirley How was your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop? My writing comes from living a hard life and being backed into corners. I had to write in order to keep from going crazy. The workshop showed me that I can press a button – using writing prompts – and make the writing come out on my own. Writing can be on my terms. What did you get out of the workshop? It gave me a look at different people’s styles of writing. I came to find out that there are some wonderful writers out there! Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? I always got A’s in English and art classes, but in 2006, I started actually considering myself a writer. I wrote poetry about addiction, depression, how people use each other, co-dependency, faith. I even wrote a Dr. Seuss-type poem about something really deep. It was childish writing but it was about something really difficult. I even remember writing a letter to my higher power to take away my addiction cravings. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others and hearing their writing? It added some pressure to it – but not necessarily good or bad. It was an outside sort of pressure to write, to produce, a whole different dynamic. It made me create things that were rough, but that I could go back over and refine. I liked getting the feedback from the other women in the workshop. I got to learn what other people were thinking about my writing, what stood out. It was helpful. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people? Yes, if they had it in their heart and they wanted to write. It’s a really nice experience. Devon, the volunteer workshop facilitator, was my buddy. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? That it doesn’t have to be perfect. The piece I wrote that was picked for the Write Around Portland anthology ["Choices," above] was just a conversation with myself. I never thought I’d have my thought patterns published! What did the workshop help you about building community through writing? People coming together can be a power to help enhance each other. Is there anything you would like to tell people about your writing? I’m in recovery now. Before I got clean and sober, it made me lose everything. I’m just focused on getting housing and trying to find an office job, so I’m not writing right now, but stay tuned. I’ll be back!	"My writing comes from living a hard life and being backed into corners. I had to write in order to keep from going crazy." Shirley, Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Shirley Click here to read about past featured writers.
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