Citizens Unleash Their Hidden Writing Skills at the WRITER'S GROUP

TRENTON-- Your mission should you choose to accept it: You have 20 minutes to write about a completely random topic, ready, set, go.  Well, if you're one of those creative types that is dying to get their thoughts down on paper, then Trenton Public Library's Writer's Group has got you covered. Monday evening, Anwar's Reflections attended Trenton Public Library's first ever Writer's Group gathering at the Public Library's Main Branch located in Downtown Trenton. The event was moderated by Kate Simmons. Members of the community were invited to come and share their writing with others. Simmons says that groups like this are important because it gives "writers in the Trenton, Mercer County area an opportunity to meet similar folks, to write and to share experiences, and to showcase their talents". She went on to say that "Trenton has a lot to offer as far as arts, and I think there's a lot of potential here, I think there's a lot of creative folks that live here, and I think why not provide a venue for others to express themselves creatively through words".

The Writer's Group meets the 4th Monday of each month at 6 pm until 7:30. During these sessions, individuals are given the chance to write on a completely random topic for 20 minutes and share it with the group if they are so inclined. On Monday night, the group wrote about poetry, music, and time.

The Writer's Group plans to have an open mic night during the even months like April, June, and August. At these open mic sessions, everyone is welcome to come and perform their writing, rap song, poetry, and what have you. Each performer will be given five minutes to perform, if there is extra time, performers will be given a chance to come back up and showcase their unique talents once again.

One of the Group's attendees, Pravin Phillip, said they thought the event this past Monday "was an example of the richness of Trenton and its sense of community and culture". Another member of the group, Willa Stokes, said that she "didn't know what to expect" but that she was "very surprised and pleased with the talent" that was on display at the Writer's Group. She went on to say, "I needed something to inspire me and this has definitely inspired me". Another group attendee, Ravi Arapurakal, was pleased with the event as well because "when 6 or 7 people come together, you don't expect each and every one of them to be thoughtful and inspiring people, but that's what I saw tonight". Lastly, well-known poet and community activist, Raul 'Polo' Cortes, said he thought the event was great because he "was with other great writers" that he never met before.