Shut Up & Write!® Pittsburgh, PA

Join us for an hour of writing! We've discovered that it's strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it's true for you at 10:00 AM on Friday mornings.

Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff; you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.

Schedule
10:00 - Quick introductions
10:15 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
11:15 - The End: chat, take off, or keep writing

Optional Socializing happens at 11:15. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.

Being Late is OK: just show up and get settled, then check in with me after the session. (I'll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.

Happy writing! I look forward to seeing you at Coffee at Brick Shop.

Coffee at Brick Shop is OPEN.
The Brick Shop restaurant (across the hall) is temporarily closed.
We're here writing, even if Google Maps may suggest otherwise.

What Should I Bring?
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block the cafe's overhead music or the occasional conversation by other patrons.
Electric outlets for laptops are available.

WiFi
Coffee at Brick Shop does have WiFi. No password is required.

Parking
Parking at the adjacent parking lot is $15
Parking at the Rite Aid parking lot across the street is free.
Some street parking is available on Butler Street.

Coffee at Brick Shop offers light snacks and beverages.
Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

Now that you've been shutting up and writing, you might want some feedback. This session is here to facilitate! Please read all the guidelines outlined below before your first session.

We will meet virtually every other Sunday for the duration of the Covid-19 Pandemic and critique two submissions per session. If your plans change and you can't attend, please cancel your RSVP. If you are a no show more than two times, you will not be permitted back.

The video link will be sent along with the submissions on the Wednesday before the meeting. If you don't get our email, please check your spam folder and add our email address to your address book. Please test the link ahead of the meeting to ensure that the video and audio work on your computer.

AGENDA:
6:00-6:05: Introductions
6:05-7:00: First Critique
7:00-7:55: Second Critique

SUBMISSIONS:

1. Can be in any form. Personal Essay. Short story. Chapter. Blog. Whatever you want feedback on. Provide a brief description of the type of feedback you are looking for. If you're looking for general feedback, that's fine too.

NOTE: Our group does not critique submissions with gratuitous violence or hate speech. The moderators reserve the right to deny a submission request if it does not meet our guidelines. Please include any content or trigger warnings to your piece as you deem necessary. We want our critique session to be a safe and welcoming space that people want to return to.

2. Should be approximately 5,000 words. If your piece is longer, conclude it at the most appropriate place closest to 5,000 words (chapter ending, scene ending etc). This will give the attendees enough time to read and provide helpful feedback before the session.
3. Should be doc, docx, or google doc form. These formats allow comments and in line edits directly on the document. You can also send your submission as a PDF, but note that we won't be able to add comments on the document itself.
4. Will be circulated to attendees via email on the Wednesday prior to the meetup. If you're concerned about circulating your information, you can set up a "burner" account or email to one of the organizers, who can forward the piece on your behalf. At the end of each critique session, we will ask for volunteers for the next session.
5. Should be reviewed and commented upon prior to the critique session. Comments will be emailed to the writer at the end of the critique.

CRITIQUE GUIDELINES:

Writers are looking for guidance on how to improve their work. This means providing constructive criticism rather than mean-spirited comments like "This is awful." or "What were you thinking."

Our critique format is conversational, but please be respectful and don't talk over or interrupt others.

Please be mindful and respectful about others' personal beliefs. No discussion of religion or politics.

Keep the discussion limited to the critiques. Don't engage in sidebars as they can be distracting, especially in a virtual setting.

Readers will be asked to leave the group if they consistently attack others' work or engage in disruptive behavior.

RESOURCES:

Providing helpful critiques:
https://diymfa.com/writing/5onfri-writing-helpful-critique
https://www.writingforward.com/writing-tips/how-to-critique

Trigger and Content Warnings: https://adancewithbooks.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/a-small-list-of-trigger-warnings-you-can-use/