Loft Writing Groups

When: First Saturday, 9:30—11:30 am
Facilitator: James Borden jborden@musiciansunlimited.com

Do you have 50 + years of living experience and want to take the step toward putting your creative stories or life experiences on paper? This writing group is for beginners and non-published writers of the fiction and creative nonfiction genre. Members must commit to submit writings on an assigned schedule with the intent to review one or two member's writings per month. There will also be one short writing exercise per month for those members who do not have a writing project and want to begin the practice of producing a piece on a monthly basis. Member must be willing to share writings in a group setting, review a member's writings before the group and come prepared to give feedback. Group discussions will include peer critiques and general theme topics such as character development, plot and topics identified by the group. 

This group will provide the opportunity to share writings and receive feedback from members who have lived in the same time but have had different experiences throughout the last 50 + years.  

When: Third Saturdays monthly, 1–2:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Jay Mastrud, mast0056@umn.edu

Warrior writers MN will affiliate with the national organization based in Philadelphia. Their stated mission is to create a culture that articulates veterans’ experiences, build a collaborative community for artistic expression, and bear witness to war and the full range of military service.

Our goals as a local chapter are to encourage veterans to start or continue writing in the medium of their choice as way to heal from PTSD or simply be heard. We seek to mutually aid our fellow veterans as they hone and refine their writing skills whether simply for personal use, self-publishing, or seeking out an agent for marketing to a large publishing house. We will offer a safe space for veterans to share their service related or civilian stories in a supportive environment while simultaneously shattering stereotypes of what it means to be a veteran.

When: Saturdays, 4–6 p.m.
Facilitator: Queen Frye (JWN@MsMarlenesOffice.com)

Is that brave space created for Men of Color for the exchange of ideas and the application and demonstration of writing. This 3rd season, a six week session, will focus on the foundations of basic writing skills and finding OUR voice through the use of the following texts: The Rose That Grew From Concrete by TuPac Shakur and Write To Be Heard by Diane Sherlock and Aaron D. Gransky. Each participant has the opportunity to have their created works circulated on the Just Write Now—ReEntry Radio Show on WFNU 94.1 FM Frogtown. Wherever you are in your journey of writing, you belong here. 

When: Alternating Sundays, 3-5:30 p.m., Open Book Classroom 208
Facilitator: Nimo Farah farah.nimo@gmail.com

This year-long writing workshop will focus on poetry as well as multiple literary forms such as essay, memoir, short story, and journalism; and that will also focus on literary career-building. It will be facilitated by recognized Minnesota literary artists from a diversity of cultures, and will support the artistic and literary career growth of both emerging and accomplished Somali writers.

When: First Sunday of the month, 2–5 p.m.
Facilitator: Dawit Worku Asefour finotetibebmn@yahoo.com

Finote Tibeb Literary Art Center is an Ethiopian Art Center established to promote and nurture Ethiopian art, theater, music and literature for Ethiopians and the community at large.

When: Second Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Greta Huttanus gretahuttanus@comcast.net

Open Voices is made up of writers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Our goal is to explore the world through culture, heritage, and humanity, portraying these perspectives authentically as integral elements in the words we share.

When: Fourth Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Philip Lund loftpeacewriters@gmail.com

This group is comprised of writers who consciously explore the nature of peace, and through our activities aim to renew and maintain a sense of hope for the future. By sharing our writing and discussing the works of writers who inspire and move us toward action, we endeavor to refine our talents and use our creative craft to promote peace and sustainable justice in our world. The group is open to all experience levels and writing genres. This group meets January through October.

When: First Monday, 6 – 8 p.m.
Facilitator: Colleen Casey farfalla963@hotmail.com, Marne Zafar nativeam@visi.com

The TGI Frybread writing group explores various writing styles and formats, allowing for member opportunities to share work, workshop pieces, and support each other‘s creative journeys. If you don’t wish to share your writing, come anyway and enjoy connecting with a community of native writers.

When: Every Other Saturday in room 303 (Contact Facilitator for Full Schedule), 6–8 p.m.
Facilitator: BlackTableArts (Keno Evol: BlackTableArts@gmail.com )

The first free, all ages, public classroom covering black poetry in the state of Minnesota. Black Lines Matter is an experiment in living and writing. Gardened by www.BlackTableArts.com, Black Lines Matter is a regular black writing meet up geared toward two things: 1) Holding space for black writers to create, conjure, and share new work; and 2) Studying poetic craft through black writing pulling from historic and contemporary writers.

These are public sessions, anyone can come—though the agenda will always be black-centered, organized, and celebrated. All ages and free of charge. Come join us as we search through language to celebrate, survive and fight. We are the garden we need to grow.