Featured Writer

Tonee Moore

Writing Workshop Participant at Portland Impact - Family Stories for low income mothers.

Tonee Moore is a 25-year-old mother of four. She has three daughters, ages 6, 4, and 2, as well as a 7 month old boy. She was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and moved with her family to Portland five years ago to help care for her husband’s mother. Although her children keep her busy, Tonee finds the time to work with inner city kids. She has enjoyed living in Portland, citing that there is a lot to do here.

Her poem, featured in our spring anthology, and interview follow.

Thief

by Tonee Moore

Things I’ve stolen

Someone’s heart

Someone’s trust

Someone’s kindness

Someone’s tears

Someone’s joy

Someone’s sadness

All abused

Unwarranted

Unwanted

Unused

Unneeded

Mis-lead thoughts

And feelings

A need to know myself

A burning desire to know me

Instead I put on a mask of disgrace

Being anyone

Anyone

But me

Feel anything

But what is really inside of me

I use my stolen goods to hide from reality

Interview with featured writer Tonee Moore

Biography writer and interviewer: Joe Lino, Write Around Portland volunteer

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

I really enjoyed it. It was like an escape – all us moms always looked forward to it. We had a really good workshop facilitator too.

What did you get out of the workshop?

Well, I wasn’t going to read [at the anthology release party] but I got talked into it. Having a lot of people from my group there, who’d already built trust together, really helped. I had told them that I would go, but no way was I going to read; it turned out that I was one of the only ones from our group to read. So, getting the courage to read came from the workshop.

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

I did in high school, but I stopped when I had kids.

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

I loved hearing what everybody had to write. It was a good way to get to know everybody better.

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

It helped me learn to keep writing and not edit until I was done. Before, I had always edited while I wrote and I was too critical. The workshop taught me to just write it first and then edit. So, I learned to be less critical.

Were you surprised at what you were writing?

Yes, surprised at how in depth it got, it wasn’t just on the surface.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

Yes. And I have. Totally. I think it’s a good way to express yourself.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Tonee Moore Writing Workshop Participant at Portland Impact - Family Stories for low income mothers. Tonee Moore is a 25-year-old mother of four. She has three daughters, ages 6, 4, and 2, as well as a 7 month old boy. She was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and moved with her family to Portland five years ago to help care for her husband’s mother. Although her children keep her busy, Tonee finds the time to work with inner city kids. She has enjoyed living in Portland, citing that there is a lot to do here. Her poem, featured in our spring anthology, and interview follow. Thief by Tonee Moore Things I’ve stolen Someone’s heart Someone’s trust Someone’s kindness Someone’s tears Someone’s joy Someone’s sadness All abused Unwarranted Unwanted Unused Unneeded Mis-lead thoughts And feelings A need to know myself A burning desire to know me Instead I put on a mask of disgrace Being anyone Anyone But me Feel anything But what is really inside of me I use my stolen goods to hide from reality Interview with featured writer Tonee Moore Biography writer and interviewer: Joe Lino, Write Around Portland volunteer Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop. I really enjoyed it. It was like an escape – all us moms always looked forward to it. We had a really good workshop facilitator too. What did you get out of the workshop? Well, I wasn’t going to read [at the anthology release party] but I got talked into it. Having a lot of people from my group there, who’d already built trust together, really helped. I had told them that I would go, but no way was I going to read; it turned out that I was one of the only ones from our group to read. So, getting the courage to read came from the workshop. Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? I did in high school, but I stopped when I had kids. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people’s stories? I loved hearing what everybody had to write. It was a good way to get to know everybody better. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? It helped me learn to keep writing and not edit until I was done. Before, I had always edited while I wrote and I was too critical. The workshop taught me to just write it first and then edit. So, I learned to be less critical. Were you surprised at what you were writing? Yes, surprised at how in depth it got, it wasn’t just on the surface. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? Yes. And I have. Totally. I think it’s a good way to express yourself.	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer Tonee Moore
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