Just Write! Porto

Start your week right! Join us for some dedicated writing time at the beginning of each week to get you into the flow and hopefully keep your writing on track for the rest of the week. Writers of all types and genres are welcome! Be sure to bring a pen/paper, laptop, tablet, or anything else you need to write with.

The meeting's format will be 90 minutes of writing (10:00–11:30), followed by 30 minutes of chatting (11:30–12:00) about what we are writing and how it's going. You are welcome to stay longer if you want to continue writing afterward. Your Host will be JAY, so say hi when you arrive.

Our venue is the restaurant at Espaço Agra, R. João Martins Branco 172, 4150-430 Porto. The nearest metro station is Casa da Música, and several bus routes run close by. Go through the entrance area and walk to the left of the stairs in front of you to reach the restaurant.

Please support the business in return for the use of their premises by buying refreshments or staying for lunch.

Your opening sentences carry more weight than any other words you'll write. They set the tone, establish your voice, and — most importantly — decide whether a reader keeps going. But crafting a compelling opening is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and sharpened.

In this hands-on workshop, novelist and journalist R.J. Huneke leads an in-depth exploration of how great fiction begins — and how to bring that same power to your own work.

What to Expect
Over two focused hours, you'll dig into the craft and mechanics of dramatic openings across genres and forms. The session combines guided discussion, close reading of examples, and short in-room writing exercises — giving you both the analytical tools and the practical reps to make your own first pages land harder.

The workshop includes:

Join us for some dedicated writing time at the legendary Capela Incomum, a 15th-century chapel turned wine bar. They have a wide selection of drinks and food! We have limited spots, so reserve your place.

Please plan no earlier than 6 PM. We'll meet upstairs, as the space isn't accessible before then.

The first hour and a half (6:00 pm–7:30 pm) will is dedicated to writing. Afterwards (7:30 pm–8:00 pm), group members will have time to ask writing-related questions and share milestones or success stories from their writing journey.

Please write in any genre you prefer. There are no language requirements, so feel free to write and share in whichever language is best for you! Writers need to bring something to write with: pen and paper, laptop, tree bark--whatever!

This bar serves great food at affordable prices, so feel free to come with your appetite and creativity! Please order as you come in at the bar to make it easier for the staff.

NOTE: For members who might find the bar's noise level disruptive, noise-canceling headphones or earbuds are recommended for a more relaxed experience with your preferred music.

GROUP GUIDELINE (Reminder)
This is a supportive writers' group, and our focus is on writing. We ask that you respect others during the dedicated writing time by keeping conversations and other noise to a minimum. Also, during the sharing portion of the evening, please either share what you wrote or have been working on (always voluntary).

We are here to support writing inspiration, skills, and resources. Please stay on topic and be respectful of our writing time and conversation.