Fantasy Writing

Shut Up & Write meets at Cascades Library in Room D. We hope to see you there! *Shut Up & Write is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Library.*

Attention Vienna and Vienna-adjacent writers! Let's carve out a lil' bit of time each week for our passion at a cool place with good creative vibes: Caffe Amouri. I would like this group to focus on getting our creative work done, with a bit of socializing and shop talk thrown in too. We will carve out a little bit of time for critique also -- but that won't be the main focus (I find that when people feel obligated to read and critique they tend to blow off meetings if they haven't had time to read). Together we can set goals for helping each other (will set up some sort of Google doc upload system for those who want direct feedback). This is the very first meeting -- a "pilot episode" if you will -- to see if there's interest, so if you are interested, make sure ya show up!

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 11am-11:15am: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 11:15am-12:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 12:45pm-1pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. We will be in Room C at Cascades Library. Can't wait to see you! :) Disclaimer: Shut Up & Write! is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Libraries or any other entity.

**Saturday • May 16 • 2–5 PM • Ashburn, VA** Many people say they want to write a book someday — **this session helps you start.** Your life experiences already contain stories, lessons, and insights that could become books. The real challenge is **how to organize those experiences and actually turn them into writing.** In this interactive session, I’ll share the approach I’m using to build a **multi-book journey based on lived experience.** So far I have: 📚 **3 books published on Amazon** 📖 **1 more books releasing this year** (end of the year) 📝 **16 additional books planned** — and likely many more. This session is not about writing **just one book**. We’ll explore how your experiences can evolve into **multiple books over time**, and how to **use AI the right way to speed up your writing while keeping your voice authentic.** *** ### What We’ll Explore • Turning life experience into book ideas • How one journey can become multiple books • Simple ways to structure stories and lessons • Using **AI to organize ideas and speed up writing** • Practical strategies to actually finish a book **Everyone will leave with the outline of their first book idea.** **You don’t need writing experience — just curiosity about how your life experiences might turn into ideas worth sharing.** *** ### Event Details 💵 **$25 RSVP — includes coffee + snacks** 📍 **Ashburn, VA** (exact address shared after RSVP) 🕑 **2:00 PM – 5:00 PM** 👥 **Max 10 people** for a small, interactive conversation. Most attendees are professionals, entrepreneurs, and people navigating reinvention or new chapters in life. *** # Background — Writing & Reinvention Journey Writing has been one of the most powerful tools in my own reinvention journey. What began as reflections during a difficult life transition gradually evolved into published books and a growing body of work focused on reinvention, personal growth, and life transitions. My goal is not just to write books — but to help others realize that their experiences may also hold stories worth sharing. *** # 🔗 Midlife Reinvention Ecosystem 🌐 Website [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) ▶ YouTube (400K+ views) [https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness](https://www.youtube.com/@midlife_mindfulness) 💼 LinkedIn (4K+ followers) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anju-debnath-0061524/) 🤝 Meetup Community (300+ Members) [https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/ashburn-transition-meetup-group/) 📚 Amazon Author Page [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anju-Debnath/author/B0FFNBVZLQ)

This is the sign you've been waiting for. Come write with us Sunday at 7:30 am at Kaldi's Social House in Arlington. Kaldi's opens at 7. Grab a coffee and join the group! We generally have 10 to 14 writers attend each week, and new folks are welcome to drop in anytime. Intros start at 7:30 am. We will write for one hour. After writing, feel free to debrief, share thoughts or get advice. Our meetups are a safe space for writers to work on their craft. No one will read or critique your writing. Kaldi's Social House website: https://www.kaldissocialhouse.net/ \* Resource \* Many thanks to Justin for putting together a shared file of resource discussed at the meetings. Feel free to add to it! [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing)

It’s hard to believe our group is 1 year old now! Let’s have another great meetup to enjoy the hobby with each other and have a IFP&P birthday celebration! Note: location may change.

[Writing Workshop Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DwZnKJiIkfyJ_LrJvDCcCMWWCauWKR-LPJF3DwcKdlI/edit?usp=drivesdk) Please read the above Workshop Guide; it covers where to upload, how much to upload, and what to do with other people's uploads. This is a document based on what was discussed at the first meeting, but it can grow and change as needed. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions! We meet at Northside Social, but might consider other locations as needed. See you all there!

*Shut Up & Write!* meets at the Brambleton Library in Room B. We hope to see you there! Shut Up & Write! *is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Libraries*.

**Looking for a group you can write with *whilst sipping your fave coffee*?** ☕✍️ Then come join **Shut Up & Write!** on **Saturday, May 23rd from 1:30pm to 4:00pm** at **Ridgetop Coffee & Tea**! Whether you're cranking out a novel, journaling, looking for new friends, or just trying to get that stubborn paragraph right—we’ve got a cozy seat and a supportive group waiting for you! **No critiques, no peer review, no pressure—just a chill space to get words on the page.** 📝 **What to expect:** 1:30–2:00pm – Grab your coffee or tea, find your seat, and meet your fellow writers. 2:00pm–3:30pm – Silent, focused writing time 3:30–4:00pm – Debrief, celebrate any writing wins, commiserate on any obstacles, and head out feeling accomplished. **RSVP Info:** The room seats only 8 people comfortably! RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot!! If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation **ASAP** so those on the wait list are able to RSVP and attend!!! **Meeting Room:** Enter the coffee shop, walk straight towards the play area and on your left you will see a meeting room just past the bathrooms. The room has a TV, white board, and walls are painted green. **What to Bring:** Whatever helps you focus, and be productive. There is a wall outlet at each end of the room, so you're able to bring your laptop to write. You're welcome to bring headphones if you enjoy listening to music while working. **Parking & Accessibility:** there is a large parking lot out front and it is free! There are no stair cases when entering the coffee shop or when inside. This coffee shop is incredibly spacious with many seating options. If you have any questions, please message me through MeetUp. I'm happy to help. **Dietary Information:** many GF, Vegan, and SF options. Just ask your barista when ordering for specifics! Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉 Disclaimer: Shut Up & Write! is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Libraries, City of Sterling or any other external entity or business.

Our monthly magical writing workshop is appropriate for writers of all levels and types (poetry and prose). Join TaraTheBard in a guided discussion about magical writing practices, ancestral connection and creativity, seasonal writing practices, publication luck magic, putting craft into storycrafting, and more. Each session focuses on the theme of a tarot card. This inclusive workshop provides support to new and experienced writers, a thematic prompt, in-workshop writing time, and space to share ideas and results. Paper notebooks, laptops, and tablets encouraged. Bring your best writing tools, your favorite blanket, a cozy cup of tea, or whatever you need to connect with the spirits of writing. \*\*New attendees welcome!\*\* Agenda TBA - check back for updates! FOCUS: -- a major arcana card of the tarot. Please bring your favorite tarot deck's Magician card (though you may also borrow a store deck if needed).

Curl up with a good book and a hot cup of your poison of choice. Maybe start a book club to talk about your favs and read together.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Physics of Baseball,”** with Scott Paulson, professor of physics and interdisciplinary liberal studies at James Madison University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-physics-of-baseball](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-physics-of-baseball) .] Profs and Pints is offering baseball fans an even bigger treat than Cracker Jack, an exploration of the physics underlying their beloved sport. Professor Scott Paulson, who regularly teaches introductory physics classes that make the physics behind real-world phenomena accessible to all, will discuss the forces and phenomena that come into play in baseball during pitching, batting, and fielding. He’ll toss you basic physics concepts that help explain how baseball’s routine plays got to be that way, and he’ll explain what’s going on in some situations where the laws of physics seem to be violated by what’s happening on the field. Ever wondered why curveballs curve or knuckleballs behave so strangely? You’ll learn how Newton’s laws and the Magnus force explain how pitchers get drastically different results from subtle differences in their releases. Curious about what exactly the “sweet spot” of the bat is? Ever wondered how big an advantage batters get from the thin air of Mile High Stadium? We’ll explore the physics of the batted ball, examining the phenomena of waves and analyzing the interaction of ball, bat and batter with the help of high-speed video. During one of the more exciting scenarios in a baseball game—the close play at the plate—fans often see outfielders throw to an infielder rather than directly to home. We’ll look at the pros and cons of this relay play, known as a “cut-off,” in the context of the physics of projectile motion. Finally, we will also look into high-profile cheating scandals involving corked bats and doctored balls. Dr. Paulson will present models to explain how these alterations to the equipment can benefit the batter and pitcher respectively, and he’ll discuss how much these models are backed up by data. These few hours in a brewpub will forever enhance your enjoyment of time at the ballpark. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Photo by Tage Olsin / Wikimedia Commons

A great fee event with authors, workshops, and more. [Details here.](https://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org)