Writing Across the Spectrum (In Person)

Jersey City Writers proudly hosts Writing Across the Spectrum, an event workshop created to support neurodivergent writers like yourself who love to craft stories and connect with other creative people. Our workshops include self-reflective prompts, workshopping your work, and practicing reading on the mic. Special note: It's OK to be shy. Participate at your comfort level! ;-) Please be on time! Doors open at 2:45 PM Bring laptop or pen and paper Light food and beverages available. No alcohol allowed Part 1: Write & Share (10 minutes writing, then share) We will give you a writing prompt that will be a personal topic about your creative life. Examples: What's your favorite book and why? What are you proud of creating? What's a fictional world you would like to visit? Write a scene placing yourself in your favorite story (book or movie). Then everyone shares. This is a supportive space to express yourself freely and without judgement. It's a great opportunity to get to know our writers! Part 2: Workshop (2 pieces) First come, first served. You read your piece aloud on the mic - but only for 10 minutes. Everyone gives feedback for 10 minutes. This is an opportunity to practice your piece out loud on the mic and to get feedback. Part 3: Practice on the Mic Start with some basic vocal/jaw exercises to loosen up. Everyone gets a turn on the mic to practice performing. To start off, everyone will do a cold reading of the same (very) short piece by a famous writer - like a poem or a bit of a monologue. Then if there is time, you can practice your own work. Practice not only makes perfect, it also boosts confidence and preps you for future Spectrum reading events! Our Writers Across the Spectrum facilitator Attorious Renée Augustin is a nonbinary (she/they/oracle/omen), queer, performance poet, filmmaker, and educator from Wanamassa, NJ. Their work focuses on transformation and community, and their hope is for their art to serve as a catalyst in the liberation of all people from oppressive systems. Attorious received their poetry MFA at Rutgers University-Newark, they are the host of Lampblack’s Instagram Live Series, “The Inky Bulb” and they alchemize each day through vibration. This event is hosted by our ADA coordinator, Linda DeGise-Kotowski. Linda is a lifelong resident of Jersey City. She struggled with a learning disability and with autism spectrum disorder growing up. She's had a passion for writing since she was in middle school. She's been a government employee for nearly 20 years and has an associate's degree from Hudson County Community College. She published her first poetry chapbook “Poetry of Emotions,” in January of 2020 and has completed the second draft of her play “Autism In The Garden State.” She has been a member of the JCW since 2014. Supported by public funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund. Our Home at 14C Jersey City Writers is honored to present its literary programming at The Writers Loft @ 14C, a shared creative home for artists of all disciplines, including writers of all genres. 14C is more than a venue. It's a community hub where creative people come together to create, share, and grow. As resident artists, Jersey City Writers brings workshops, readings, and performances to a space built on the belief that the arts belong to everyone. To learn more about 14C, please check out: https://arts14c.org/.