This is a series introducing associations and clubs that expats can get involved in. This week, Expat Living spoke to Jenna Apollonia Hoag of Busan Writing Group. ― Ed.
● Name of Club: Busan Writing Group
● Location(s): Starbucks at Exit 10 of Seomyeon Station, Busan at 6 p.m. every Sunday
● Number of members: It varies. Some days there are around 10 people; other days just two. It really depends on holidays. If we know beforehand that not enough people will come, we will cancel for the next week.
● Started: In 2009
Who is it for? Everyone who likes to write, is open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and people who are interested in an outlet for their creativity. We have many different writers with different styles (such as essays, short stories, poetry, etc.), and also different genres (horror, sci-fi, erotica, real life, and so on). You do not have to be a professional writer to join. We have members who are published and others who just started to write. It is a great way to meet new people in Busan or neighboring cities.
What goes on? Each Sunday, we meet and read what we have written throughout the week and receive feedback. At the end of the meeting, we choose a prompt for the following week, then we write about that prompt. Each week’s prompt is supposed to open creativity and sometimes set a challenge. Oftentimes, we will have members bring a piece that is not related to the prompt, but want feedback.
Plans for the future? No specific plans. We are just a group of people who love to be creative.
How to join: Just show up on Sunday at 6 p.m. There is a Facebook group that will show if a week has been canceled, so it may be wise to check that. The prompt for the following week is also posted by the Tuesday after the meeting.
Are there any membership fees? It is completely free, but we do encourage members to take advantage of being in a Starbucks and buy something.
What is the highlight of the year? There is more than one. About every six to eight weeks, there is a spoken word event called Wordz Only (in the Kyungsung University area) that Writing Group members and many others go to and support wholeheartedly. Another is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which some of our members participate in.
