Jersey City Writers

Jumpstart your creativity!

Writing Prompts will utilize three upcoming writing contests or member-supplied prompts as the focus of each prompt so writers can get a jump on getting published.

We'll offer three separate prompts and approximately 10 minutes of free writing time to work on each one. We then share (if you wish) each piece with the rest of the group.

The goal of prompts is to move writers from their comfort zone and try a new genre, voice or character.

What to bring: Notebook, laptop and pen, and your imagination!

We're located at 157B First Street, Jersey City NJ. A keycard is required to get into the building, so we will look for people downstairs until 7:15 at the latest, so please be on time!
If you know you're going to be later than 7:15, please comment below and I will make arrangements to meet you downstairs.

Your body and mind are your most essential workspace. Start the week with this 65-minute workshop that gets your physical and mental muscles moving.

7:00 – Login, greetings
7:15 – Movement and stretching
7:35 – 30-minute silent writing sprint
8:05 – Done!

• No special equipment or clothing is needed for the gentle movement and stretching.
• No talking during the 30-minute writing sprint.
• Participants will be muted to minimize background noise.
• Feel free to use the text feature anytime.
• Please arrive on time.
• If you must leave early, please go in silence; you may say goodbye via the text feature.

Nancy Méndez-Booth, your host, is a Jersey City-based writer/editor, educator, and performer. Her work has appeared in print and online, including Poets & Writers and Salon, and she has performed at venues including Cornelia Street Cafe and The Moth. (Select performances can be viewed on YouTube.) Nancy's athletic experience includes a 20+ year yoga practice, eight-time marathon finisher, collegiate rower, cycling, and swimming. Follow her on social media (@nmenbooth Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn; Nancy Mendez-Booth Facebook author page), visit nancymendezbooth.com, and contact her at nmenbooth@gmail.com for information on academic tutoring, writing coaching, workshops and presentations, and writing/editing services.

𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 is a community where writers interact to develop and explore their craft. JCW’s programming includes dozens of monthly events such as workshops, writing marathons, and live readings. To learn more about the JCW community, drop us a line at info@jerseycitywriters.org so you can receive 𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑫, our weekly newsletter.

Calling all poets!

This workshop begins with critiques of two poems, each by an author who signed up ahead of time. The workshop ends, if time permits, with a 10-15 minute writing prompt (an idea to incorporate into a poem written on the spot).

Please note that if you have never attended Jersey Plums before, you must attend at least once before you may schedule a poem for critique. To get on the schedule, please speak to a moderator at the workshop.

While critiquing poems, we will mind our P’s and Q’s by first discussing what works in the poem, and then asking questions for clarity, understanding, and figuring out how the poem can be stronger or improved. This helps to keep the feedback positive and constructive.

Please reach out to David, the event organizer, on meetup if you have questions.

NOTE: The workshop begins with an explicit framing of expectations about how to participate in the workshop. New members will not be admitted after the opening of the workshop has concluded, so please be prompt.