Day Ten. Portland Center Stage

So sad that this was the last workshop in the Ten Days of Writing, but so very glad to have made it to all of them. I always am sad to see the end of any Write Around Portland workshop, but this one in particular because it had so many twist, turns and variables for me. I got to write with some of my favorite facilitators, as well as some new ones and some that I even trained with.

Then there were the participants. People I've been in workshops with before, new faces that went to several in this series and people that brought their kids and just the overwhelming joy of writing with strangers.

As usual it all melted into two groups totaling about 30 writers in all. And, the magic happened one last time. Today a prompt I will definitely use in the future, was to first write a name or occupation of a person on a yellow piece of paper. Follow that up with a mood or emotion on a purple paper, and finally an action or activity on a blue paper. We then put our papers in coordinating manila envelopes, passed them around and got one of each back. We then could start with the words "that was the day that he/she.... or as usual what ever we wanted. I pulled out "British palace royal guard", "relief", and "people watching".

That was the day that he finally got relief from that nagging feeling he'd always had from not following his passion. Tommy Brown was an army brat, endearingly known to his friends as Private Parts. Tommy had got out of the army because his real passion was people watching. Sure there was plenty of people in the army to watch, but they were always the same. This people watcher liked variety in his people.

If Tommy had not caught that special on the history channel about the British empire, he'd never had put two and two together. Now Tommy lives in Manchester with his wife Kay, satisfying with much relief, his passion for people watching, as a British palace royal guard.

Day Nine. Pre and Post.

The library in Gresham was buzzing with activity on Thursday, and it seemed like the beginning of a wonderful mystery to walk into the room where we would have Day 9 of the workshops. I had so many questions floating in my mind: Who would attend? What would they write? Would we find that connection through writing – that always seems elusive yet shows up in every Write Around Portland workshop?

That magical connection made an appearance as writers shared truths about growing older, family rules, and living with teenagers. Images of campfires, New England post offices, birds singing and fish dancing. Questions about how we find answers and even a few thoughts on math.

We also talked a little shop during the break. How do we write? Does it spill out onto the page willingly, or do we sometimes have to stop our pens, take a deep breath and let the thoughts take some shape before they'll go down on paper?

Writing with Write Around Portland in Gresham made my day! By the time I left the workshop, my pre-workshop questions had evolved into so many beautiful images and ideas. Thank you to everyone who came and shared their voices.

10 details from po' shines.

note: franciszka was the facilitator at the po'shines workshop.

1. 81 years old
she's the first to arrive
and the last to leave
she maps fire and volcanoes
alive in the days of horse-drawn milk carts
alive in the days of cell phones.

2. some write seated around the table
one writes standing

3. fake spring in full effect
first bike ride over dekum 1-5 footbridge
i'm falling in love
with the kenton neighborhood
laced in warmgold sunset

4. this group knows what it wants
requests for no feedback
forays into the language of bravery

5. a lily corsage

6. we ride the cyclone roller coaster
with you

7. 2 pitchers of water
red stacks of plastic cups
we are thirsty
in more ways than one

8. to know and love herself
is only one reason

9. the map is not a blank page
perseverance
gets us there

10. a heart so full
the footbridge calls me back

lovely day to you.
franciszka.

Day Nine. Ten Places I've Been or am Going.

It was a long ride on MAX today, all the way out to the Gresham Library. We started with eight, then down to seven, up to a cozy twelve, ending finally with a lucky thirteen participants.

We had a good range in age again including some wonderful teens. I'm so glad people have brought their children to some of these workshops, because I have always thought I would not enjoy or be comfortable writing with anyone under say eighteen yrs of age.I don't feel that way anymore.

Today I choose to share 10 Places I'm Going.

1.Driving down the Pacific coast highway when it's sunny weather.
2.To see the Redwood forest of California.
3.Hiking in Mazatlan, Mexico.
4.Walking out on that new glass sky-bridge overlooking the Grand Canyon.
5. Hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
6.Epcot Center in Florida.
7.The sandy beaches of Hawaii.
8.The national square dance convention in Chicago 2010.
9.Back to my family tree roots in Scotland.
10.Home to bed, I've been up twelve hours.

JKC

Day Eight. I Know.

The eighth workshop in the series was held in a place I've always wanted to check out: Sisters of the Road Cafe on NW 6th. There were twenty five or so participants in total, and while two left at the intermission, the universe provided us just minutes later with two late arrivals. I'm seeing some faces I've seen in other workshops, so I'm glad people are taking advantage of the "Ten Days of Writing." I chose the first prompt.

I know this is a free-write and I could write about anything, yet I keep thinking I only have three minutes to come up with something. What can I possibly come up with and get on paper in such a short time?

It doesn't matter, the facilitator did not say I had three minutes to come up with a poem, fairy tale or even the next greatest novel. Just write something (dog gam-mit), write something about what I know.

Oh no, she just said we have one minute to wrap it up.

Thank God spelling, grammar and neatness do not matter. I do know this much for sure. I'm so glad to be out writing with strangers in the community I live, possibly sharing and definitely respecting.

JKC

Day Seven. Color, Bodypart and Personality Trait.

The seventh workshop was at Stoel Rives LLP downtown on SW 5th avenue. We had to break up into two groups as we were fortunate to have twenty-nine people eager to write and share. At first the extra voices were a bit of a challenge but like community will do, we came together as one and focused. Again with all new prompts we got in four free-writes.

Once again I ask people to share your writing and or experience here on the blog, and don't be shy with comments. Here's the start of my piece from the title prompt.

Always painted or brushed in jungle red;
She had zygomas that could cut glass.
Her pet peeves, sobriety and kindness;
Flirting eyes, cold and black.

JKC

Day Six. We Could Have Written All Night.

The workshop at Looking Glass Bookstore last night was so, so great.

Sixteen participants wrote with me in the main room of the bookstore. Tall bookshelves surrounded us, and we sat in a large circle.

I was so excited at first I probably talked too fast, but the group was forgiving.

Suddenly I was nervous, too. What if I lost track of time? What if Kathy's group had way more fun? What if people felt too shy to read or give feedback?

Somehow—call it amazing luck, wonderful writers, or Write Around Portland's unceasing ability to inspire people—everyone seemed eager to write, read, and give feedback. People were comfortable passing, too, and everyone seemed to effortlessly follow the guidelines we talked about.

Soon the room was thick with moving poetry and prose.

One woman, glad to be there but also a bit overcome with timidity, ventured to share a haiku she wrote. It was truly breathtaking, and everyone made sure she knew it.

Another participant expertly took on the voice of a teenage girl, sneaking characters' names, slang, and vital details in at all the right times. How she did that in ten minutes is beyond me.

We were all transported to calming beach-side retreats and crisp autumn days. We peered into a mother's nighttime routine and watched a writer find solace in her private room. We laughed at clever turns of phrases, appreciated raw honesty, and related to the familiar.

My only regret is that we only had two hours together. We could've written all night.

M

Day Six. Facilitator Prep.

Note: Monica facilitated the workshop at Looking Glass Bookstore.

It seems like I should be more nervous (my Ten Days of Writing workshop meets tonight in Sellwood), but sometime around my sophomore year in high school, I stopped getting nervous before these kinds of things. Well, mostly. Maybe I'll get a strange bout of butterflies in my stomach on my way there and be an inarticulate mess all night. Boy, I hope not.

Mostly I'm just excited. I asked to facilitate at Looking Glass Bookstore because it's one of the coolest bookstores in town. It's in an old train car right next to Grand Central Bakery and right on 13^th Avenue where all the hip Sellwoodites (including lots of moms and dads with cute little kids and golden retrievers) hang out.

I love this neighborhood—my neighborhood—and am thrilled to get to write with people who like it, too. And did I mention enough participants signed up to warrant a second facilitator on the job? Our plan is to divide the group in two and facilitate the same curriculum independently. We're hoping to pull everyone together to do the 10 Things prompt at the end. It should be pretty powerful to have a couple dozen voices share their writing.

Day Six. Six Words.

Looking Glass Books (Monday Night Feb 16th)

Another well-attended workshop--14 in our group with Kathy facilitating, and another group running in the next room with at least that many! Only two of the people writing alongside me had ever attended a Write Around Portland event before. It made me happy to think of new people being exposed to the wonder of it all.

For me, the most delightful prompt was the "6-word autobiography." What an exercise in compression! I came up with two:

"Out. Look around. Protest. Back in"

"Say no. Regret it. Say yes."

Fun stuff. You all have four more days to check it out. Don't miss it.

Devon

Day Six. List of Ten.

So here we are in the second week of workshops and I'm having a blast. This is one of the best gifts, best experiences, best blessings ever.

The sixth workshop took place at the Looking Glass Bookstore in Sellwood. The owner went out of her way to make us comfortable and cozy--and she succeeded! Again, we were fortunate enough to have the use of two spaces with two facilitators, we were 32 strong. A great range in age from 16 to 80. We even got in five free writes, including prompts from phrases in a bag, lists of ten, six word memoirs as well as haiku. Here are my "10 Things I Love about Portland,"

1. Write Around Portland
2. Variety
3. Acceptance
4. Water
5. Mountains
6. Lush & Green
7. Mass Transit
8. Ethnic Food
9. Best Friends Ever
10. My Heart Belongs

JKC

Day Five. Why I Write.

What a fantastic week I've had with Write Around Portland and the Ten Days of Writing series. Today was the Fifth workshop marking the halfway point. It was held at Po' Shines Cafe de la Soul over in Kenton. It took place during the dinner hour and perhaps that is why it was a smaller group of participants.

It has been my experience that when these workshops are smaller the pieces seem to be more honest and intimate. We also have more time for positive feedback and that's always encouraging.

Our first free-write had two prompts to use as starting points. They were "On my (10th,20th,50th, 100th) birthday...." or "I write to...." I chose the second option.

I write to inspire, empower and give hope.
I write to get all my abstract thoughts down on paper, making them more concrete and easier to manage.
I write because words are so powerful, they can heal and give perspective.
I write because it feels good, and initially, I can throw spelling and grammar to the wind.
I write to get people to hear what I have to say.
I write to show my dignity, strength, beauty and humor.
I write because I've been presented with an opportunity to make a difference in the world.
And lastly, I write because gradually, I become what I tell myself I am.

JKC

Day Four. Facilitation.

Note: Devon was one of two facilitators at the Talking Drum Bookstore workshop

Pre-workshop anticipation: The night before a workshop, I do not sleep. I feel like the universe before the big bang--all that compressed potentiality buzzing through my body--my heart thudding, my head a-whirl. Who will be there? What stories will they share? What will they call forth from me? Can I be present for each writer in the way s/he needs? All day as I've been teaching, my mind has been in the future, at Talking Drum Bookstore, a place I've never seen, with people I've never met. The prompts I will use have been flitting in and out of consciousness. Waiting for the bus, I compose responses in my head, then stop--not wanting to "cheat" by getting a head start. I read through the whole 10-day curriculum and wish I could attend every day, the offerings tempting me like produce at a farmer's market--sensual, variegated, ready to be chewed and transformed.

Post-workshop reflection: What a wild and wonderful ride it was! It truly was the universe itself forming out of chaos. Divide 37 people plus one service dog and two facilitators into two groups. Begin amidst a welter and noise--people coming, finding a chair, grabbing a journal, settling in--and then SHAZAM! Magic happens. Every time I facilitate, I ask myself, "How can it be that such amazing writing flows forth from each person who sits around the table?" Some hesitate to read...some are gently self-mocking...yet all risk sharing, and each piece leaves us breathless...clapping, laughing, nodding our heads with understanding. Each piece has fine lines that announce their passage like jet trails in a clear sky. We call them out, delighted. We begin as strangers and end knowing each others' most precious particulars. This is "Writing in Community" at its best, for which I express the most profound gratitude.

Devon Balwit

Day Four. Facilitator Reflections.

Note: Shannon was one of two facilitators Talking Drum Bookstore workshop.

Last night went GREAT! I'm so glad Devon was there. :-) I had 24 people and one dog in my group, add Devon's 10 for a total of 34 and a dog! Wowza!

It was tense to start and we were both asking "how will we get through this?" And then that magical moment occurred when everything shifted just a little and everyone was suddenly laughing and enjoying their time.

We had a great diversity of people, ethnically and in age. There were some high school students and some people in their 70s. And of course, Miles the dog, who knows how old he is?!? He did get to be the grateful subject matter for the list poem. His person wrote "I never feel that I should be doing anything else when I am petting Miles." What a lucky dog!

Also, there were several people there who spoke English as their second language. I thought it was going to be hard with one who seemed to need more help understanding the prompts and the workshop structure. I talked to him at the break and found out he has only been in the country 10 days! He is from Libya and is in a language school here. He struggled at first, but in the second half he shared both pieces he wrote! And they were great and also demonstrated his grasp of the language. I did tell the group after he read that he'd only been in the country 10 days and the whole room applauded and started heaping encouragement and praise on him! It was lovely to watch- he blushed but was obviously pleased and said thank you over and over :-D

I think this was my favorite part--to see the workshop making magic for someone new to the language. He was very brave to share his writing and experiment with the nuances of language, and what a great place to do it, such a supportive environment grew there in just two hours. There were many examples of people giving each other boosts and support who were total strangers when they arrived.

I also loved hearing the young people read their writing, so tentative and completely thrilled with themselves when they were through!

Anyway, many many thanks for this great opportunity. It was a very special night and the magic of community building was so palpable as to be almost unbelievable, and very inspiring and energizing.

-sd

Here we are at four days down and counting.

Www, wow and WOW!

I just returned home from my 4th workshop in the ten day series and I have to say I was blown away. There was a mind blowing turnout of 35 participants with the facilitators. Yep, Write Around Portland has been keen enough to provide extra facilitators to cover the demand. It obviously insured everyone getting to participate. And I do mean participate, we got to do 4, count-em, 4 free-writes. That included reading and a bit of feedback.

One person had only been living here for two weeks from Chicago and there was someone who had only been here 10 days (how timely!), all the way from Libya. You meet some of the most unexpected blessings in these workshops.

Now onto the writing. Pictures of people were passed around the room and we were asked to write in the voice of one of them. We then started with the prompts "I wish I could" or "I can explain."

(I had a smug-looking 40ish woman)

"I can explain", she said. "The bugger pissed me off."
"That's why I stabbed him, whoops, I meant to say, that's when he ran into the knife, ten times."
Selma Soul could explain anything away if you didn't pay attention closely.
"I had just dyed my hair a new tone of red," she said, That's when my husband had to say, "That particular shade of red is called just shoot me, right?"
If I'd had a gun I would have...but I did not need one cause that's when he ran into the knife. To this day I still wonder, if they can put one man on the moon, why can't they put all men on the moon?"

Day Three. Hope & Life.

Today was the third in the series of Ten Days of Writing and it was held at PGE at the World Trade Center. We had to move to another conference room but they made up for it with Starbucks, soda and yummy bakery cookies. I counted 24 participants including the two facilitators.

Again, I would encourage anyone who has been to a workshop to try as many as possible, they are all different. I've been blessed with the opportunity to attend all ten. Now, I'd like to encourage anyone reading this blog and who has attended a workshop to submit a piece of writing or share their experience. I've been privy to some excellent writing and it would be nice to see it here for others to read.

For a prompt, we were asked to pick two words from a list provided, I chose HOPE & LIFE. We then passed our words to the person on the left and they wrote a phrase for each word and passed it back to us to turn into a piece of writing. Here's mine.

Life is the connection of all things;
Hope brings all life together.
Happiness is love and love is serenity;
With that serenity push through your fear and gain stamina.
Dig your heels into the earth and pluck your luck from the sky.
Follow your passion and you'll find your home someplace where the landscape meets the sea;
So hang your hat there and soak in the fascination of it all.


JKC

Post your writing here!

Any writing coming out of the workshops so far, that you'd like to share? We would love it if you post comments here. And keep checking back for writing from other folks.

Day Two. Twelve Words

Day Two was at New Avenues for Youth. Also lots of fun and very different from the first. One unexpected joy was finding writers from the ages of 10 thru 81. What inspirations. So one of our prompts was to pick 12 words from a list the group had compiled. The 18 words to choose from were:
rainbow, sunset, weird, kind, pop, smile, voluminous, furze, tale, tomorrow, victorious, lore, magnitude, honey, hodge-podge, muster, shine and perwitsky (Yep. Perwitsky. A cat from North Asia. You can learn all sorts of things in a Write Around Portland workshop.)

I tried to write an action piece and according to the feedback I received from the group, I accomplished just that. The positive feed back was very encouraging. Here's my piece.

We were speeding down the coast of Ireland, top down, wind in our hair. My girlfriend Wilhemena and I were gazing at the most luminous double rainbow we had ever seen. She had her i-pod on, head bobbing and lip-syncing to one of her favorite pop divas. I tried to read her lips, it looked like she she was saying, "put a ring on it." I thought I'd leave well enough alone, Wilhemena gets weird when I mention marriage. I try to be kind and toss a smile her way.

I was still trying to figure out what to get for her birthday tomorrow, something really special for my honey. I had a hodge-podge of thoughts and I was really trying hard to muster up some victorious idea. Just then I swerved the car to the far left to avoid hitting a prewitsky that was in the middle of the road. As we went barreling through the trees only to come to an abrupt stop on the beach, we couldn't believe our eyes. Before us was the most voluminous sunset I'd ever witnessed. The shine and maghitude reminded me of...

JKC

Day One. Things that I fear... or I'm taking back...

Today was the first day of the Ten Days of Writing. I wrote at the workshop at the Ritzdorf Apartments. One of the prompts I chose and will work on further, was "Things that I fear..." (Remember this is not distilled yet!)

I fear letting go of the only family I have ever known.
I fear leaving a city that has fully embraced me and allowed me to be myself authentically.
I fear leaving my bachelor life of fifteen years forever.
I fear moving my seventeen year old dog to a completely different terrain and way of life.
I fear how upset he'll be when he finds no room in my bed because there's a stranger there now instead.
I fear having to make all new friends and I fear leaving all the good old ones behind.
I fear being the only write around facilitator in a place where there will be none.
I fear, fear itself, and yet I embrace it fully, knowing full well good things always come out of pushing through it. I will embrace what ever those things are with a gracious heart.

JKC