So often when one embarks on a new artistic endeavor, the hardest part is answering the question “Where do I begin?”  That first step is commonly the most difficult.  One asks themselves whether or not they will be any good at first (you won’t) and whether or not that’s okay (it is).

Today from 5 to 7 p.m., BookMarx will be hosting their monthly Writing Workshop.  Lead by Rex Ybañez, it helps writers of any skill level find a place to start, whether that be writing in general or a new project.  Said Ybañez, “Any level of experience is welcome whether one is a beginner or an experienced writer.”

Ybañez spoke about the importance of having a creative outlet.  “Writing is catharsis. I will not call it escapism but coping, rather.”  He leads several groups in writing workshops around town, with the age range being large, between 19 and 65 years old.

The workshop will begin with a writing prompt from Ybañez.

“Sometimes that back section of the store has art from the previous artwork, which I will use for a specific writing activity to help writers build narratives between different works of art. Sometimes the writing prompt comes from me reading one of my own poems and having a list of things any of the writers may choose to make their prompt to inspire a poem or a piece of flash fiction. Sometimes we listen to a song of my choosing and have the writers look up the lyrics and have them take a line or two from the song to either make their title or first line.”  This portion of the event lasts the first hour.

After the first hour, there is time allotted to an open mic.  Those attending are invited to share their past work with the rest.  In the past, the event has not run past 6:15, so all who wish to share will be given the opportunity.

If you can’t make it today, this is a recurring event!  Every first Friday of the month Ybañez hosts this event at BookMarx.  The address is 325 E Walnut St. and the next time the workshop will be offered is Dec. 13.  The event is entirely free, so why not try your hand at something new or improve upon a longtime love?

Article written by Jacob Maher.