When you think about the Library, you probably think of the dozens of materials that you can check out – the books, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, and more. But the Library cultivates writers as well as readers – and has lots of resources and programs available to writers in our community!

Writing Groups

In addition to books about writing and computers for public use, JMRL also has writing groups that meet at the library to form a network of peers that can help motivate you to do your writing. At the Central Library, a monthly Creative Writing Group meets on third Wednesdays of the month at 6pm. Writers can gather new ideas from writing activities and timed writing prompts to help quick-fire their brain into new directions. Writers can share their writing or keep it to themselves, but this is a judgment-free environment that inspires confidence and community within the group. If you need feedback on your work, Central Library offers a Writing Critique Group as well which meets on second and fourth Wednesdays each month at 6pm. This small group gives constructive criticism to help writers improve their works. As a novice writer myself, I can tell you that I was intimidated about the idea of having others read my creative works, but it is a very positive and affirming experience that can really help you develop your own voice and understand how your writing comes across to others.

The Northside Library is also starting a Creative Writing Group, which will meet on the first Tuesdays of the month at 6:30pm. The beauty of this is that there will now be a writing group meeting at a library in Charlottesville every week!

For more information about writing groups at JMRL, check out our Meetup.com group page: http://www.meetup.com/Creative-Writing-at-JMRL .

Author Events for Writers

If you are an advanced writer, you might also want to check out the various author events that JMRL offers at a variety of locations. In Spring 2015, the Central Library had several author visits as part of the Regional Author Series, including archaeologist and professor Lynn Rainville, realistic fiction writer and activist Corban Addison, and mystery author and falconer Andy Straka. Author events are a great way to interact with authors and ask questions about the publishing world, and to discover how the authors developed themselves and their writing styles.

Upcoming adult events:

• Northside Library (First Tuesdays)– Creative Writing – June 2, 6:30pm
• Central Library (Second Wednesdays) – Writing Critique – June 10, 6pm
• Central Library (Third Wednesdays)– Creative Writing – June 17, 6pm
• Central Library (Fourth Wednesdays)– Writing Critique – June 27, 6pm

Upcoming teen events:

• Crozet Library – Musings: A Teen Writer’s Workshop (First Tuesdays) – June 2, 6:30pm
• Gordon Avenue Library – Teen Writer’s Guild (Monthly on Thursdays) – June 11, 3:30pm
• Louisa County Library – Young Writers Group (Third Mondays) – June 15, 3:30pm
• Scottsville Library – Poetry Class – June 16, 6pm
  • Author Raven Mack teaches this session about longer poetry styles
• Greene County Library – Foolin’ Around with Fairy Tales: A Creative Writing Workshop – June 19, 7pm
  • YA author Sarah McGuire will teach this workshop
• Northside Library – Girls of Summer Charlottesville – June 20, 1-3pm
  • Author Event with YA authors Meg Medina and Gigi Amateau
• Central Library – Draw Your Own Manga – June 24, 2-4pm