Short Story Writing

We will discuss our reactions and interpretations of Flannery O'Connor's story about the post-segregationist South, readable online [here](https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Everything-that-rises-must-converge-OConner-Flannery.pdf). This is an unofficial continuation of our discussion of O'Connor's story we read last time, but if you weren't there you're still welcome to attend this one as there will be plenty to discuss regardless. I look forward to speaking about it with you!

🎤Velvet Tuesdays at Czech Inn Bar are back! 🎤 Stand-up Show in English. Join us for the great night of laughs at the first weekly comedy show in Prague! 🍺 Czech Inn Bar, Francouzská 76, Prague. (🚋 stop Krymská). 🚪 Doors opens at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm ⏰ 🎫 200,- CZK with Welcome shot of rum included! https://goout.net/en/velvet-tuesday-comedy-show/ezkbaic/ 😊 Every week great line-up of comedians, traveling comedians and surprising guest welcomed.

\~FREE EVENT\~ Meet Locals & internationals People Every Tuesday & Make New Friends🙂 For introverts and shy people (we all are sometimes), we have ice-breaking games and more... so feel free to come by. Everyone is invited to enjoy amazing Cocktails in 135kc only🍸 Beer in 49 kc 🥂🍻 It is organized after our Biggest Event in Central Europe with 234 people in a single event. 🙂 📍LOCATION TEQUILA TALES BAR & MUSIC CLUB Újezd 409/19, 118 00 Malá Strana, 118 00 Prague, Czech Republic (Nearest tram stop- Hellichova & Ujezd) ❓Questions❓ Follow & write to https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/ *** \~AKCE ZDARMA\~ Každé úterý se seznamte s místními a mezinárodními lidmi a najděte si nové přátele🙂 Pro introverty a stydlivé lidi (všichni jsme někdy) máme hry na lámání ledu a další... tak neváhejte a přijďte. Všichni jsou zváni k vychutnání úžasných koktejlů jen za 135 kč🍸 Pivo za 49 kč 🥂🍻 Je pořádána po naší největší akci ve střední Evropě s 234 lidmi na jediné akci. 🙂 📍 POLOHA TEQUILA TALES BAR & MUSIC CLUB Újezd 409/19, 118 00 Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha, Česká republika (nejbližší tramvajová zastávka- Hellichova & Újezd) ❓Otázky❓ Sledujte a pište https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/

An active guided dance journey for releasing restrictions around movement and deepening connection with yourself and others. This workshop is an invitation to move from intuition, breath, expression, and presence. Through dance, guided exploration, and consensual touch, participants are supported to soften control, free the body, and discover more authenticity in the way they move and relate. Part of the workshop includes clarifying personal and shared boundaries, and creating space for desires and intentions to be expressed with honesty and care. Participants are warmly welcome to attend with a partner, especially if they want to explore connection within an existing romantic bond, though the event is open to all genders and all levels of experience. Most of the workshop is body-oriented and shared through movement, breath, and different levels of consensual non-sexual touch. There will also be moments of group sharing. Who it’s for: Open to all genders, all levels of experience, couple-friendly, age 23+ Please bring comfortable clothes and a water bottle. There will be a shared altar in the centre of the room. If you feel called, you are welcome to bring a small offering or personal altar item in support of your process. Facilitated by Prabodh Prem, an experienced guide with over 16 years on a spiritual and healing path. His work draws from Rhythms of the Heart, Osho practices, Family Constellation, Holistic Counselling, and Shamanic Wisdom, with a focus on supporting people in becoming more deeply human and connected. 350 CZK, https://vev.co/atma-community-space-praha

~~Because nothing says “midweek crisis” like screaming pop ballads with strangers~~ So you’ve survived Monday... congrats! Celebrate by joining us **every Tuesday** for the most *questionable life choices* you’ll never regret — Karaoke Night! **FREE ENTRY** – because we know you blew your paycheck on brunch last weekend. 🧍‍♀️👨‍🦯For the socially allergic (aka shy or introverted), we’ve got **ice-breaking games** that are only mildly awkward. You might actually meet someone who *also* sings off-key. Soulmates? Maybe. 🍸 Cocktails for **135 Kč** – dangerously tasty. 🍺 Beer for **49 Kč** – cheaper than therapy. 📍 **WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS** **TEQUILA TALES BAR & MUSIC CLUB** Újezd 409/19, Prague 1 (Tram stop: Hellichova or Újezd – don’t pretend you don’t use Google Maps) 📲 Stalk us or message your future karaoke group here: [https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/](https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/)

**Python is often celebrated as the universal glue that can do anything, but what happens when your project scales, a trace breaks, or a lack of architecture becomes your biggest bottleneck?** Join us on **Tuesday, April 21,** for an evening focused on the realities of operating Python at scale. We're bringing together developers and engineering leads from Applifting, ROUVY, and DX Heroes to share hard-won lessons on everything from clean architecture to distributed systems Let's meet in the **Applifting meetup space**, both in person and online. **We’ll start at 18:00.** 👉 [Register here](https://applifting.io/events/python-crew-talk-it-scales-until-it-doesnt) 👈 **if you want to attend in person. Spaces are limited and our event planner Anetka would be sad if we had to turn you away at the door!** **Who’s speaking?** We will kick off with two lightning talks. First, **[Ondřej Doskočil](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondrejdoskocil/)**, Python tech lead at Applifting, will challenge the mindset that clean architecture is "too Java" for Python and show how AI tools can help you adopt proper structure as your projects scale. **[Stanislav Gurník](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanleygurnik/)**, backend chapter lead at ROUVY, will follow up with hard-won lessons from the trenches of distributed systems, exploring what it takes to move event-driven Python services from "it works" to "it scales". Then, they will be joined for the panel discussion by **[Jiří Maňák](https://www.linkedin.com/in/manakjiri/)**, software engineering team lead at DX Heroes, and **Martin Jiřík**, senior DevOps engineer at ROUVY. **We look forward to meeting you!** **Schedule:** **17:30 – Doors open** * Get your ticket ready, say hello to others, and have a drink with us. 🥂 **18:00 – Introduction by Filip Kirschner** * Our co-founder Filip will give you a short welcome and introduce our speakers. **18:15 – Architecture in Python: Breaking the 'too Java' taboo with Ondřej Doskočil** * *Why a lack of structure becomes the real problem as projects scale, and how to successfully adopt clean architecture in Python.* **18:35 – Lessons learned from operating Python services in event-driven architecture with Stanislav Gurník** * *Distilling hard-won lessons on the architectural pivots that move event-driven Python services from "it works" to "it scales."* **18:50 – Short break** * *Time to stretch, refill drinks, and chat a bit.* **19:00 – Panel discussion with Ondřej Doskočil, Stanislav Gurník, Jiří Maňák, and Martin Jiřík** * *An open discussion on scaling Python and adopting clean architecture, exploring the realities of distributed systems, operations, and team collaboration.* **20:00** — **Q&A session** * *Your turn. We’re open to any questions or comments you have.* **20:30 – Networking, food & drinks 🍻** * Snacks and drinks, including draft beer, will be available for you all evening. Get ready to network with Applifters! **22:00 – Time to say goodbye!** * Some of us may move on to a pub, but the doors of Applifting are closing, and we'll look forward to seeing you next time! For capacity reasons, **please let us know if you will** [attend in person](https://applifting.io/events/python-crew-talk-it-scales-until-it-doesnt) or participate online. The presentations will be streamed, but we would love to see you there. We look forward to meeting you!

Čekání je u konce - jedeme dál! Po povedeném návratu se Research Tuesday vrací podruhé. Navazujeme přesně tam, kde jsme minule skončili: u sdílení zkušeností, otevřených diskusí a upřímného pohledu na naši práci bez příkras. **💡 Atmosféra: Bez kamer, jen diskuse** Jestli jsi tu poprvé, připomínáme naši „tajnou ingredienci“: meetupy nenahráváme ani nestreamujeme. Dává nám to svobodu mluvit otevřeně o tom, co fungovalo – i co ne. **🗺️ Téma měsíce: Když UX opustí obrazovku** Co když zákaznická cesta nezačíná ani nekončí v jednom rozhraní, ale vede přes digitální touchpointy do fyzického prostředí, a pak zase zpátky? Co když uživatel neřeší aplikaci, ale snaží se ve stresu a pod časovým tlakem najít správné dveře v nemocnici? **Michaela Holubec Birtusová** UX výzkumnice, facilitátorka a service designérka, která se pohybuje na pomezí digitálních a fyzických služeb. Dlouhodobě působí v organizaci Czechdesign, kde se věnuje především projektům ve veřejném sektoru, od municipalit po zdravotnictví. Kromě toho pracuje na volné noze pro další klienty, kterým pomáhá s výzkumem, facilitací a nastavováním služeb tak, aby odpovídaly reálným potřebám lidí. V posledních letech se intenzivně zaměřuje na výzkum orientace (wayfindingu) ve zdravotnických zařízeních. V rámci výzkumného projektu podpořeného TAČR se podílí na výzkumu, který kombinuje kvalitativní metody, testování v terénu, eye-tracking i VR, s cílem navrhovat navigační systémy, které skutečně fungují. Michaela nasdílí své zkušenosti z výzkumu orientace (wayfindingu) ve zdravotnických zařízeních. Otevře témata, která se v digitálu často neřeší – práci s fragmentovanou pozorností, kontextem, stresem nebo chybou. Probereme i to, jak důležitá je v tomto kontextu přístupnost a jak ji do výzkumu zahrnout co nejvíce. Michaela ukáže case study jako otevřený vhled do procesu: co fungovalo, kde si tým nebyl jistý a kde narážel. **Nové místo & káva:** Tentokrát se potkáme v útulném prostředí **kavárny Ruelto na Andělu**. Abychom podpořili majitele, kteří nám vyšli vstříc, nebudeme tentokrát zajišťovat externí catering. Na místě si ale můžete koupit jejich skvělou výběrovou kávu a lahodné koláčky. **🕒 Agenda:** * **09:00 AM** – Otevření dveří & ranní networking * **9:30 AM** – Úvodní blok: Když UX opustí obrazovku: Jak zkoumat orientaci ve fyzickém světě * **10:30 AM** – Otevřená diskuze * **11:30 PM** – Závěr & networking * **🧸 Hlídání dětí na vyžádání:** Research Tuesday stavíme na tom, že profesní rozvoj má být přístupný všem. Chceme podpořit i rodiče malých dětí, aby mohli zůstat v kontaktu s oborem a potkávat se bez zbytečných překážek. **Máte zájem o hlídání?** Rádi ho na místě zajistíme, ale potřebujeme vědět, jestli o něj bude zájem. Dejte nám vědět v komentářích nejpozději do pondělí do 8:00, jestli službu využijete a pro kolik dětí. Podle toho rozhodneme, jestli ji zajistíme. **🎟️ Důležité informace:** **Vstupenky:** Vstupné na Research Tuesday je dobrovolné. Kapacita je omezena na **35 míst**, abychom udrželi osobní a otevřenou atmosféru. **Rezervace:** Zarezervuj si místo včas. Pokud se ti plány změní, prosíme, uvolni místo ostatním. **Těšíme se na známé tváře i nové účastníky!** Ivana, Lucie, Martin

\*\*\*\*\* We're meeting both in-person and virtually via Skype depending on the week. Contact Sonya Lano for more information if you want to join \*\*\*\*\* This is for anyone wanting feedback! We mostly focus on novels and longer works, but short stories are welcome, as well. You can submit anything you want feedback on in any genre. Current word limit for submissions is 4,000 words. Send your submissions by 13:30 the Thursday before the meeting (or we have a grace period during which you can submit a lower limit of 2,500 words if you submit by midnight Thursday evening). Also, if you don't have time to read through everyone's submissions, still join the meeting! We know that busy schedules don't always make finding reading time easy. To submit, use the Dropbox folder. If you don't have access to it, send sonyalakadosch@yahoo.com your e-mail address so I can add you. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! My number in case of any confusion the day of the meeting is 737 118 530 - or on Facebook: Sonya Lano (https://www.facebook.com/sonya.lano) DROPBOX INFO: * add new submissions for the next meeting in the " submissions" folder for the meeting date. Put your name at the beginning of the file name (for example: "Sonya Somewhere in the Dark") * When providing written feedback (not required, but deeply welcome), save the file as a separate document on your device, then mark your changes/ feedback in the saved file. After you're finished, put the file in the "Feedback" folder under the folder for the meeting date and then under the person the feedback is for (e.g. "For Sonya"). * The submissions folder will be replaced within a week after the meeting has taken place. Feedback will be deleted within 2 months after the meeting, so if you need it longer than that, make sure to copy it to your own disk.

Hello, we are starting SU&W at Scouts Institute this Sunday! Please find us at a table across from the cafe. The event starts at 12, and the writing starts at 12:15! We will have 45 minutes of writing, followed by a 15 minute break. Then another 45 minutes of writing. Please purchase something to support the cafe and the space ☺️ Follow us on Whatsapp! https://chat.whatsapp.com/HeZDsZNFD8BKn8JohRlbkI

This group is for anyone who writes - for any reason. Have a thesis or article you need to write? Trying to finish a novel or an academic paper? This group is for you. We are currently meeting in-person at Locus Workspace. If you have any questions, contact Sonya Lano here or on Facebook or Messenger (https://www.facebook.com/sonya.lano). We start at 9:00, introduce ourselves, and share a few words about what we're working on and what we hope to accomplish during the session. At the end of the session, you can give us a brief recap of how it went. We'll break at noon. The afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm. You're welcome to join both sessions or just one. Please come as close to 9:00 as you can if you come for the morning session. If you come to the afternoon session, we are usually back by about a quarter to 2:00.

**Storytelling Workshop - My story, your Story, our Story** ⏰ **From 18:30** 📍 **Přístav 7, Holešovice – v Přístavu 24** 🆓 **FREE EVENT** ## 🌿 Weekly Storytelling & Reflection Workshop Join us for a weekly workshop where authentic, true stories spark fresh ways of seeing our lives and challenges. In a warm, welcoming circle, we listen deeply, share from the heart, and explore how Eastern and Western perspectives can illuminate one another. 🌏✨ This event is for anyone curious about personal growth, cross-cultural connection, and discovering wisdom in surprising places. Together, we’ll create a space where listening, reflection, and story awaken deeper clarity. When we contribute to the whole, no one leaves empty-handed. 🤲💛 🗣️ **Language:** English 🎟️ **Entry:** Free event 🆓 Donations are recommended *** ## 👥 Organized by **C.L.A.P. – Culture, Love, Art, People - Hosted by Agora7** 💬 **Join our WhatsApp Community to stay updated on next events/**Link on request 📸 **Follow us on Instagram:** [https://www.instagram.com/c.l.a.p.2](https://www.instagram.com/c.l.a.p.2)

It's easy to get the idea that philosophy is largely an abstract and conceptual endeavor–studying theories that try to explain the universe, morality, or language, and then arguing until we either prove those we disagree with wrong or at least reach a smug sense of clarity. But is that all that philosophy has to offer? Back by popular demand, this month we'll be diving deeper into the reflections of **Pierre Hadot** by beginning his essay **Spiritual Exercises**. In this essay, Hadot argues that **ancient philosophers didn't just theorize about what a good life might be, but practiced it through disciplines of attention, meditation, and self-examination aimed at transforming how one sees and lives in the world**. The essay invites us to ask **whether philosophy might still serve that purpose today**. Hadot specialized in **ancient Greek and Roman philosophy--especially Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and early Christian thought**–as was known for his scholarship on **Marcus Aurelius, Plotinus, and ancient spiritual exercises**. His work has influenced many contemporary philosophers, classicists, and the modern revival of philosophy as a lived practice. As noted in the title, this will be the first of two sessions. We're splitting the text into two parts in order to give everyone a chance to fit the text into their busy lives, as well as to give us space to move more slowly through the text together. \*\*\* Below is a PDF copy of Hadot's book Philosophy as a Way of Life. This session will cover up to p.93 (ending at 3. Learning to Die). If you have trouble accessing it, send the host a message–extra copies are available. Link: [https://ia800203.us.archive.org/7/items/PierreHadotArnoldDavidsonPhilosophyAsAWayOfLifeSpiritualExercisesFromSocratesToFoucault1995/Pierre%20Hadot%2C%20Arnold%20Davidson%20Philosophy%20as%20a%20Way%20of%20Life%20Spiritual%20Exercises%20from%20Socrates%20to%20Foucault%20%201995.pdf](https://ia800203.us.archive.org/7/items/PierreHadotArnoldDavidsonPhilosophyAsAWayOfLifeSpiritualExercisesFromSocratesToFoucault1995/Pierre%20Hadot%2C%20Arnold%20Davidson%20Philosophy%20as%20a%20Way%20of%20Life%20Spiritual%20Exercises%20from%20Socrates%20to%20Foucault%20%201995.pdf) \*\*\* We’ll have tea and light snacks, but please feel free to bring any drink or snack you’d like to share! This event will be hosted in an apartment with a well-trained dog who will be happy to meet you. If anyone has concerns about dogs, let me know so I can be mindful about keeping her from bothering you. The buzzer is Everett and Mainous—we’re on the 5th floor, apartment 16. Meeting structure: We will start with a brief summary of the key ideas Hadot presents then move to open discussion. Please read the text in advance, make highlights, and note any thoughts or questions you find interesting and compelling.

**You start, but don't finish. We help you get it done.** Join our [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/K6LidaoQhe16wZ0Se9pNM6), Keep contact via [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nocrastinationclub/) You just haven’t been able to follow through. You start things, lose momentum and find yourself starting over again. You’re not alone. Most people get support at the beginning. And applause at the end. But the part that actually matters? The middle. The quiet, repetitive, sometimes frustrating part where nothing feels exciting, and everything depends on showing up. **That’s where we are.** At NoCrastination, we don’t meet for hype. We meet to **show up and finish something, together.** Not perfectly. Not magically. Just consistently. **What this really is** This is a space for people who are: * building something * figuring things out * or simply trying to stay on track **without doing it alone** You don’t need to be an entrepreneur. You just need something you want to move forward. **What happens here** You bring something you’ve been putting off. We sit down together. We focus. And you leave with something done. That’s it. And that’s everything. **Why people keep coming back** * “I finally follow through on what I plan” * “I leave with real progress every time” 🕐 **Time**: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 **Location**: **Safe Space Bookstore,** U božích bojovníků 606/3, Prague 3 Žižkov · Prague, cz 💻 **Bring**: Your laptop, journal, creative tools, or anything you’ve been procrastinating on 🌿 **Hosted by**: NoCrastination. ☕ Please do order something from the bar, so as to keep us in their good graces! Donations optional. **🪑Seating information:** * If this is your first time joining us, please look for **Fernando Goncalves** when you arrive * If you’d like to **work independently (without the Pomodoro arrangement)** but still be part of the group energy, just let Fernando know — we’ll make sure you’re comfortably included. 💛 🌱 **What to Expect** * **Drop in anytime** between **3:00–6:00 PM** — stay for a bit or settle in for the whole session * **Clarify your goals**: write down your measurable tasks for the day on a Post-it when you arrive * **Two spaces**: one for quiet focus, one for casual conversation. After each focus session, if you’re still in the flow, feel free to remain seated — no need to move. If you're up for a chat, join others in the social area for a relaxed break. * **Social start**: from **3:00 to 3:30 PM**, we mingle and get to know each other; our first focus session begins at **3:30 PM** * **Gentle structure**: we begin with a soft check-in and intention round * **Pomodoro-style rhythm**: We work in 45-minute focus blocks followed by 15-minute social breaks. If 45 minutes feels too long, feel free to break it into two 20-minute focus sessions with a short 5-minute reset in between. You’ll need to self-regulate these shorter cycles, just tune into your own flow and rejoin when ready. * **Quiet companionship**: no pressure to talk during focus time — just shared presence and support * **Welcoming space**: we meet in the creative, cozy lobby of the **Safe Space Bookstore** **This space is for you if…** * You keep starting but don’t finish * You work alone and feel stuck * You want structure without pressure * You don’t want to do this alone anymore **What you’ll get** Not motivation. Not a productivity hack. **You’ll get: ONE THING DONE.** And then you come back, and do it again. **This is how it starts** You don’t need to commit to anything big. Just come once. Pick one thing. Finish it. We’ll be there. **Stay connected** Join our [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/K6LidaoQhe16wZ0Se9pNM6?mode=gi_t) Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nocrastinationclub/) This is a space you can keep coming back to. **You’re not behind. You’re just in the middle.** And you don’t have to go through it alone. You are one of us.

Are you interested in a lot of things but just a little at a time? Then come to the 5 Minute University! Each talk lasts only 5 minutes followed by 1-2 questions and you'll have the chance to talk to the speakers and other listeners before and after the event - it's a great place to make some friends and find good conversation! Here's the current line up: 1.Jamin Tuma - "What happens if you ask yourself 500 pages worth of questions?" 2.Martin Popop - "How to Drink Without Getting a Hangover" 3.Steven Rasovsky - "The Power of Breath" 4.JT Ostdeik - "What is Philosophy?" 5.Tom Thumb - "The Art of Storytelling" 6.Mauro Pellegrini - Everything I know about the contemporary art scene in Prague 8.Maria - It takes two to tango 9.Trang - Why are there so many potraviny in Prague? 10.Vita - TBD 11.Bara - TBD This event is solo-friendly, there will be plenty of things to talk about. So join alone or bring a friend, everyone is welcome. It's a free event and so be sure to support our hosts, Dorado Coffee, by buying drinks.

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

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.*

**Saturday • May 9 • 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: 📚 **2 books published on Amazon** 📖 **2 more books releasing this year** (mid-year and end of 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 12–15 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)

Come by for an hour of evening writing with fellow creative folks. Everyone works on their own thing, no obligation to share — just show up and make any kind of words happen. If you're spending too much time thinking about writing, join us for an hour of focused writing. Guidelines: * While some discussion is encouraged to get to know one another, strive for silent, focused writing from 6:45 PM - 7:45 PM. * Generally avoid disruptive sensory input/behaviors, such as repeated or unpleasant noises, smells, physical movements, etc. (if you have health-related reasons, or some other aspect out of your control due to which this could become an issue, show up anyway and explain that potential disruptions are not intentional.) * Repeated breaking of the above rules without a valid reason may result in dismissal from the group at any point during a session. **Why is Shut Up & Write(!) so effective?** [http://arsenalofwords.com/2015/10/14/why-i-shut-up-write/](http://arsenalofwords.com/2015/10/14/why-i-shut-up-write/) **LOCATION:** Gaithersburg Library, Study Room 2 (if we aren't in 2, check 1!) **SCHEDULE:** 6:30 \| Pre\-session check\-in \- What will you work on? 6:45 \| Shut up and write for 1 hour\! 7:45 \| Post\-session check\-in \- How did it go? Feel free to keep writing and finish your lingering thoughts past this point, but know that the library closes at 8 PM! **BRING:** Whatever you need to be able to write! ***If you are interested in a more collaborative and discussion-focused writing group, the Gaithersburg Library hosts such a group on Sundays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM! Ask Chris or the library staff for more details.***

Our May book will be Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Book summary: In a tiny cafe where time travel is possible under strict rules, customers revisit pivotal moments they can't quite change.

\*UPDATED LOCATION\* Let’s hang out and journal together, trade stationery and stickers, and have a good time! Please note, we do not have a reservation, so we will do our best to find some good spots when we get there. We will be the table with notebooks and stationery spread out!

**FILMS MADE IN NOVA – First Meetup** 📍 Centreville Regional Library (Conference Room) 🗓️ Sat, Apr 25 • 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM > Come out to the first **FILMS MADE IN NOVA** meetup! We’ll get to know each other, share ideas, and start building our first collaborative film project. > This group is for actors, writers, editors, cinematographers, and storytellers of all kinds who want to create original films—and actually finish them. > Come ready to meet, collaborate, and brainstorm. We’ll aim to put together and shoot a simple 5-minute scene during the meetup. > Whether you’re experienced or just passionate about filmmaking, this is a place to connect, create, and make films happen. > To see some of my previous work, feel free to visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@stevenlawsfilms