Introduction!

Welcome! This is the Blog Site for the Jump-start Practice Writing Group. We meet in Palo Alto, California every Saturday morning rain or shine at 8:30 AM to vitalize our writing, explore creative possibilities and have fun in a supportive writing community. We write for about an hour, and the group is open to anyone interested in writing. All we ask is that you bring a pen, a pad, and a 3 dollar donation. Email here for directions and questions.

Jump-start was started by
Greg Kimura, a California poet, in November 2006, who was looking to spice up his own creative life.

The premise of Jump-start is that although writing is, at its essence, a solitary creative process, you don’t have to walk this path alone and that some company would not only be fun, but productive as well. What we have found was that not only was it fun and productive, but it is extremely healing.

The group has ranged anywhere for 4 to 7 people. Some of us are very experienced writers. Some of us just like to write. If you come with the intention to create and support, you are welcome.

The basics of the group are as follows:

1. Welcome, Invocation, Introductions


2. Thoughts and Suggestions on Writing (From Writing Alone, Writing Together by Judy Reeves)


3. An inspirational reading on creativity.
   
4. Pull a prompt from the black bag
   
5. Write 17 minutes (or so)
   
6. Optional reading (no feedback, listeners just hold the creative space)
   
7. Pull another prompt
   
8. Write 10-12 minutes (or so)
   
9. Optional reading
   
10. That’s it!

I have found this to be one of the most enjoyable, creative and healing projects I’ve ever done. If you are interested in starting your own practice writing group in your own town, Greg is happy to share his experience and knowledge on how to do it. Email him here.


Jumpstart Publishing

The Jumpstart blog presents work developed from the Saturday morning meeting. The greatest value of creativity is simply in creating. But giving your creation to the world, can complete the circle. If you enjoy the the work read here, please feel free to leave comments.

Thanks!