Featured Writer

Warren Gaston

Warren Gaston is a senior at Helensiew, an alternative high school in NE Portland. When he was five, he moved to Portland from Chicago. Warren likes art, photography, and writing, and he suspects he gets it from his grandpa, a skilled artist who "can do everything. He can fix stuff, make stuff, create stuff."

Warren couldn't believe the news when he heard a line from his poem was chosen to be the title of the fall Write Around Portland anthology, Blueprint to My Backbone. Though writing has always been a part of his life, he feels that this workshop has been a stepping stone to something greater. The poem he wrote which gave the anthology its title, Ode 2 Real, and an interview with Warren follow.

**NEW** Click here to listen to Warren read his poem.

Ode 2 Real

by Warren Gaston III

I’ve known real all my life,

well, real made me so I’m

from real. So don’t that

make me real? I would

like to think so.

My real is my inner voice,

my funny bone, the blueprint

to my backbone.

Real has been nothing but

pure organic reality to me.

But to be str8 up…I didn’t

want to be real for a short amount

of time…I didn’t want to be real,

but the realness never gave up on

me and that’s really real.

Real, you are truth, faith, honor, love,

forgiveness, pride, soul, laughter, knowledge,

and wisdom.

And I thank you Real.

from our anthology, Blueprint to My Backbone

Interview with Featured Writer

Warren Gaston

Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Steven Skoczen

Tell us a little bit about your life growing up.

Oh man, my life story. Hard-headed kid. So hard-headed. I was loaded with bad energy. I don't know why. They said I was a bad kid, but I played basketball like there was no other. Wind blowing, rain, snow, ice, I was outside playing basketball. That was the only thing that I would live for. The only thing I did.

But, I got older, and it wasn't meant to be. I was too short. Broke my knee, then got a concussion. So I wrote.

How did you hear about this workshop, and what made you want to do it?

It was around the time two kids from our school died. One of them died from gang violence, and another one got kidnapped. It was so much gang-related negative energy, I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to write.

I had signed up for this talent showcase. I had something totally different planned but this piece just came over me. So I did that, and after that, Kris [Perrson, Helensview High School’s Principal] was like "Have you heard of Write Around Portland?" She said it was a writing and poetry thing, so I was like "ok, cool."

When I got to the workshop room I thought, I guess everything happens for a reason and this is where I'm supposed to be.

What did you think of the workshop once it got started?

Writing in the workshop was like working out. When you work out hard, you get to a point where you think you can't do it, and then you just do one more. I've done that in the workshop a few times. For a minute, you think "I can't think of nothing," then, something comes. Oh! Here we go…

I loved the challenges. The writing prompts. The best prompt was the sound one. I'm a music person and I'm all about sound. I hear sound and I just see...words.

What else did the workshop give you?

This notebook. I love my notebook that I got from there. I'm going to keep it forever. My notebook fits me, who I am. I titled it "Soul, Etc." I love it. I love this notebook. And now I'm published, too.

You're not only published in the book, but the title of it, Blueprint to My Backbone, comes from your piece. How does it feel?

It feels good. I wanted to be a published writer, and now I am. I'm just going to ride this wave the best I can. Wherever it takes me, I'll be happy with it. It means a lot to me.

Do you think Write Around Portland workshops could help other people?

Definitely. Why? Because people need to know that they can do this. There's not a person who can't write. Whether a prompt, poem, or just standard, it's good to just write. It's good for you. It's something to look forward to.

What do you think Write Around Portland brought to your community?

That everyone can do this. I heard someone say that they were talent-less. Can you believe that? Come on, there's no such thing. There's something you could do that I could probably never do. We all have our talents, we just ignore them.

What do you want to use your talents for from here on? Where do you head from here?

Man, people have been asking me this type of question a lot, lately. What are you going to do next? Not just about this, but… what's coming next? I don't know. I would like to write my own book. My book, with my own picture on it, my title. Not to be a selfish person, but it's what I want to accomplish. I don't know who could pick up this book or who could be at the reading or anything, I'm just going to keep on surfing it.

I want to do too many things. I want to be a published writer. I want to be an actor. To be a musician. I want to be an activist, being able to help people in a serious manner. I want to be a comedian. I would like to make people laugh and have a good time, forget their troubles for just 30 minutes.

I just want to be productive in life, and successful, and helpful. I want to be those things. And now I feel like, maybe I really do bring positive energy or good energy wherever I am. This could be a stepping stone for anything.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Warren Gaston Warren Gaston is a senior at Helensiew, an alternative high school in NE Portland. When he was five, he moved to Portland from Chicago. Warren likes art, photography, and writing, and he suspects he gets it from his grandpa, a skilled artist who "can do everything. He can fix stuff, make stuff, create stuff." Warren couldn't believe the news when he heard a line from his poem was chosen to be the title of the fall Write Around Portland anthology, Blueprint to My Backbone. Though writing has always been a part of his life, he feels that this workshop has been a stepping stone to something greater. The poem he wrote which gave the anthology its title, Ode 2 Real, and an interview with Warren follow. NEW Click here to listen to Warren read his poem. Ode 2 Real by Warren Gaston III I’ve known real all my life, well, real made me so I’m from real. So don’t that make me real? I would like to think so. My real is my inner voice, my funny bone, the blueprint to my backbone. Real has been nothing but pure organic reality to me. But to be str8 up…I didn’t want to be real for a short amount of time…I didn’t want to be real, but the realness never gave up on me and that’s really real. Real, you are truth, faith, honor, love, forgiveness, pride, soul, laughter, knowledge, and wisdom. And I thank you Real. © 2011 Warren Gaston III & Write Around Portland from our anthology, Blueprint to My Backbone Interview with Featured Writer Warren Gaston Interview by Write Around Portland volunteer Steven Skoczen Tell us a little bit about your life growing up. Oh man, my life story. Hard-headed kid. So hard-headed. I was loaded with bad energy. I don't know why. They said I was a bad kid, but I played basketball like there was no other. Wind blowing, rain, snow, ice, I was outside playing basketball. That was the only thing that I would live for. The only thing I did. But, I got older, and it wasn't meant to be. I was too short. Broke my knee, then got a concussion. So I wrote. How did you hear about this workshop, and what made you want to do it? It was around the time two kids from our school died. One of them died from gang violence, and another one got kidnapped. It was so much gang-related negative energy, I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to write. I had signed up for this talent showcase. I had something totally different planned but this piece just came over me. So I did that, and after that, Kris [Perrson, Helensview High School’s Principal] was like "Have you heard of Write Around Portland?" She said it was a writing and poetry thing, so I was like "ok, cool." When I got to the workshop room I thought, I guess everything happens for a reason and this is where I'm supposed to be. What did you think of the workshop once it got started? Writing in the workshop was like working out. When you work out hard, you get to a point where you think you can't do it, and then you just do one more. I've done that in the workshop a few times. For a minute, you think "I can't think of nothing," then, something comes. Oh! Here we go… I loved the challenges. The writing prompts. The best prompt was the sound one. I'm a music person and I'm all about sound. I hear sound and I just see...words. What else did the workshop give you? This notebook. I love my notebook that I got from there. I'm going to keep it forever. My notebook fits me, who I am. I titled it "Soul, Etc." I love it. I love this notebook. And now I'm published, too. *You're not only published in the book, but the title of it, Blueprint to My Backbone, comes from your piece. How does it feel?* It feels good. I wanted to be a published writer, and now I am. I'm just going to ride this wave the best I can. Wherever it takes me, I'll be happy with it. It means a lot to me. Do you think Write Around Portland workshops could help other people? Definitely. Why? Because people need to know that they can do this. There's not a person who can't write. Whether a prompt, poem, or just standard, it's good to just write. It's good for you. It's something to look forward to. What do you think Write Around Portland brought to your community? That everyone can do this. I heard someone say that they were talent-less. Can you believe that? Come on, there's no such thing. There's something you could do that I could probably never do. We all have our talents, we just ignore them. What do you want to use your talents for from here on? Where do you head from here? Man, people have been asking me this type of question a lot, lately. What are you going to do next? Not just about this, but… what's coming next? I don't know. I would like to write my own book. My book, with my own picture on it, my title. Not to be a selfish person, but it's what I want to accomplish. I don't know who could pick up this book or who could be at the reading or anything, I'm just going to keep on surfing it. I want to do too many things. I want to be a published writer. I want to be an actor. To be a musician. I want to be an activist, being able to help people in a serious manner. I want to be a comedian. I would like to make people laugh and have a good time, forget their troubles for just 30 minutes. I just want to be productive in life, and successful, and helpful. I want to be those things. And now I feel like, maybe I really do bring positive energy or good energy wherever I am. This could be a stepping stone for anything.	"Now I feel like, maybe I really do bring positive energy or good energy wherever I am. This could be a stepping stone for anything.” --Warren Gaston, Workshop Participant Donate Now Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Warren Gaston Click here for archive of past featured writers
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