In 2025, our team members at Project Write Now (PWN) continued to embrace diverse passions and obsessions that fuel their creativity and teaching. From daily journaling practices to kayaking adventures, from horror podcasts to watercolor painting, our team’s interests reflect another year filled with personal growth, artistic exploration, and meaningful connection. Check out what captivated our team members in 2025:

PWN’s director of community outreach Meredith Z. Avakian said:

“Unlike any year of my life, this is the very first time I have committed to a daily journaling discipline. In fact, I’ve now been journaling for more than 500 consecutive days and counting. (Thank you, Morning Pages!) I’ve filled five entire notebooks, all the same spiral-bound, lavender-colored journals, using the same purple-inked Paper Mate flair marker pens. One could say I’m captivated by the color, as well as the feeling of pouring my thoughts, feelings, and rhymes onto pages for the sake of self-love. Highly recommend this as part of anyone’s daily morning routine. Write on!”

PWN’s co-founder, executive director, and Memoir Intensive instructor Jennifer Chauhan said:

“Here’s something you may not know about me: theater is my first love. Before wanting to be a writer, I wanted to be an actress. Thanks to Project Write Now’s partnership with Two River Theater (TRT), I’ve been teaching playwriting to members of our partner organizations (Shore House, Asbury Park Public Library, Lunch Break) as part of a collaborative Community Playmaking program. The members’ 10-minute plays are then performed by professional actors directed by Kate Cordaro of TRT. I have LOVED being engaged in this process from start to finish. It’s been incredible to watch people, most of whom have never written a play before, come up with an idea, draft and rewrite it into a finished piece, and then see it performed live by professionals. And I have loved being a part of rehearsals and witnessing how the actors embody the characters. It’s inspiring me to maybe audition for a community theater production next year. Stay tuned …”

PWN intern Cate Cooke said:

“As a long-time horror fan and writer, I am always searching for new media that breaks the boundaries of storytelling in that genre. In 2025, I was truly captivated by the writing and production of the talented group at Rusty Quill on their award-winning audio drama, The Magnus Archives. Although this particular podcast has been around for a while, it was completely new to me, and I’ve been HOOKED. Each episode took me deeper into a web of unique word building, and the mounting tension made my heart race. As a writer, The Magnus Archives challenged me to reevaluate how I write complex, emotional characters, and pushed me to experiment with simple concepts to create a story that stays with you long after its end. For any fan of horror, suspense, and strong characterization, I strongly advise you to take a listen and face your fears in 2026!”

Danica Zolofra, a PWN outreach instructor, said:

“This year, I was captivated by The Telepathy Tapes, a podcast about non-speakers and their telepathic abilities. This podcast is the intersection of Autism, psi abilities, and spirituality. I was immediately drawn to it and down a rabbit hole, listening to all the new episodes and excitedly sharing them within my circle. It’s opened up so many conversations, potentials and possibilities. I’ve had unexplained experiences, inner knowings, and profound messages come through over the years, and now they all make sense. This September, I decided to trust in myself and follow this path to further support the nonspeaking/autism/disability community. I joined a six-month Apprenticeship with Suzy Miller to deepen the integration of my own presence and psi abilities for use in my Heart Space sessions. I’m so excited for what’s to come of the experience.”

PWN’s Flash Fiction instructor Liz deBeer said:

“The Novella-In-Flash (NIF) has captivated me this year. After taking an online class with acclaimed flash writer Finnian Burnett, author of several NIFs, I began reading NIFs and reworking a traditional manuscript I’d written into an NIF. Immediate rewards include a few chapters already published with slight modifications, including ‘Who’s That Girl‘ in Red Rose Thorn and ‘At the Edge‘ in Bending Genres. I’m workshopping my NIF with book inc’s Book Writers Workshop to keep me on task!”

PWN’s education director Colleen Doogan said:

“I have been captivated by decluttering and weeding out this year. This past year was the year of change for our family, with two kids in college and the youngest turning 17 and getting his driver’s license. It feels like we are in the ‘prep course’ for the Empty Nest stage, and I have found myself cleaning and decluttering in ways I have never done before as a mom. I’m purging clothes, cleaning empty rooms, and asking myself, ‘Do we need this?’ or ‘Will we ever touch this again?’ Moving furniture, selling and donating, and just plain making our house more livable for a family of five adults who gather from time to time. It’s been bittersweet for sure, but it’s just another reminder that there’s a time and a season for everything.”

PWN instructor Gay Edelman, who will be leading our Get Unstuck Writing Retreat in March, said:

“This year, more than ever, I’m dedicated to building mind/body/soul resilience that I might do some good in the world, most particularly for immigrants. In the name of kindness, justice, fairness, and freedom. In the name of what is right. Demonstrating. Fundraising. Emotionally and spiritually supporting folks already on the front lines, and those newly awakened to the need for this work. Spreading the word about making ‘good trouble,’ to quote our friend John Lewis. Meanwhile, to stay energized and in good humor, I take super-seriously: walks, in big nature if I can get it; regular chats with soul-sisters; hanging out with Quakers and Buddhists; solo prayer and meditation, at home and on retreats; and reading inspiration and relaxing literature of all types, to name a few practices. And haiku. Yes, again with the haiku, those wee capturers of a moment! My current fave of my own work, humbly offered: ‘I am a mystery to myself. I agree.’ To which this body/mind/soul cries: Right on!”

PWN’s Flash Memoir instructor and book inc PAL Jennifer Gaites said:

“This year, I became obsessed with Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang. In addition to her humor, there is a real sense of joy in each episode as she chats with each guest. Some guests are close friends of hers (the Rachel Dratch episode is a must-listen), and I love listening in on their friendship and being part of people’s delight in being together.”

PWN board member and book inc PAL Tina Goodyear said:

“Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to paint with watercolor, this year, I have made it my mission. Luckily, with age, comes patience and self-compassion—I learned I don’t have to be perfect and decided to approach painting with a ‘beginner’s mind.’ I follow some fun artists on Instagram and watch, listen, and learn. Through watching others, I somehow managed to paint all my Christmas gift tags and cards this year. I may even try to illustrate a children’s book I am writing. Maybe next year, I’ll apply a beginner’s mind to my writing!”

PWN instructor, Court Harler, who is leading our upcoming workshop, The Live Edit, said:

“I’m a voracious reader, and while not every book sticks with me, I agree with Emerson: ‘I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.’ Still, some books read at the right time in the right place become unforgettable—like Wuthering Heights, which I first read as a teenager in the woods with a rock for a pillow, and now reread often.

Recently, I read Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy over Thanksgiving, and I’m still captivated. It’s a powerful contemporary novel blending commercial and literary elements: gorgeous prose, moody atmosphere, a mysteriously compelling plot. Set in the Scottish Highlands—one of my favorite places—it’s also a prime example of responsible ecological literature. A wonderful winter read: thoughtful, immersive, impactful. Add it to your TBR pile!”

PWN’s program coordinator and instructor Lisa Hartsgrove, who hosts Friday’s Lunchtime Write-In, said:

“Obsession might as well be my middle name with how I fully commit to everything that brings me joy. If you know me, you know I love cats, for example. I make it my whole PURRsonality. (I also love puns.) This year, I celebrated that big cat love in a number of ways. Firstly, there’s my own cat, Dunkin, who inspires me daily and fills my whole heart. You can follow him, too, on Instagram and TikTok. Secondly, our connection with Catsbury Park is still going strong—we have another Cat Tales event in the books for 2025, with more planned for 2026. (Stay tuned!) Thirdly, I attended Catsbury Park’s Cat Convention in both the spring and the fall of 2025, the fall being extra special as I brought my cat-loving niece in tow and she had the time of her life. I also watched every cat movie and cat documentary that I came across, added to my cat-themed wardrobe, and had a bachelorette party where we all wore cat ears and cat shirts and wrote on our van, ‘She’s getting MEOWIED.’ Lisa Obsession Hartsgrove, that’s me.”

PWN instructor Amy Impellizzeri, who teaches our upcoming Novel Intensive class, said:

“This year I’ve been captivated, mesmerized, and just downright OBSESSED with Peacock’s Love is Blind. In case you’ve missed out on this series—which spans CONTINENTS as there have been numerous seasons set in the US, UK, Middle East, Asia, South America, and more—let me give you the highlights. The premise of Love is Blind is that couples get to know each other, sight unseen, behind a wall, after many days of soul-searching conversation. Then, once they ‘match’—they explore the relationship by living together in the real world with a goal of getting married in a month’s time. Sound crazy? Maybe, but so, some would say, is love in any form. This show has been such a fun social experiment to watch—and better yet—experience with my teen daughter, who shares my obsession. Inevitably, the wacky and sometimes shocking storylines lead to some great discussions between us about dating, love, and life. Is love blind? Maybe. But Peacock has made falling in love fun again, that’s for sure!”

Liz Jannuzzi, book inc and pwn writers program director, said:

“This year, I became obsessed with Substack because it’s where I’ve found my people—writers like Andrea Firth breaking down essays every two weeks in a way that actually teaches me something, Paul Crenshaw writing these beautiful, quiet pieces that stay with you, plus The Small Bow, Oldster, and so many of my PWN colleagues (too many to name here!) all in one place. After spending too much time scrolling Instagram’s in-your-face everything, it’s a relief to land somewhere that asks you to slow down, actually read, and engage with work that matters. It’s become my favorite kind of writing community—one that feels intentional instead of accidental.“

book inc PAL and writer Celine Keating said:

“This past year, I’ve been captivated by kayaking. Finn, the protagonist in my novel-in-progress (begun in book inc’s Novel Incubator), is challenging herself to learn how to conquer her fears, and she longs to get out on the water in a solo kayak. At some point, I realized that in order to write these scenes effectively, I, too, had to take to the water. This past year, I’ve had a lot of fun—as well as a few near mishaps—on this little adventure, including being towed by a guy on a pontoon boat and getting soaked trying to get out of a very fancy ocean kayak. Nevertheless, I’ve loved every moment and am on the hunt to purchase a kayak of my very own. If not for writing fiction, I very much doubt I’d have had the guts to take up this sport at this stage in my life.”

PWN Instructor Mark McDevitt who is teaching Writing the Modern Love Essay this January said:

“So this past year, I have been slightly obsessed with Claire Keegan’s fiction. I read three of her books and was totally entranced. Though each one is very short, they are perfectly formed and stay with you long after you put them down. When I finished reading Small Things Like These, I immediately went back to the beginning and re-read it, just to marvel at how it all works: the economy and precision of her language, the sheer emotional force, the way she can wring tension from seemingly ordinary moments. There is so much to admire in her work. But I think what I love most about Claire Keegan is how she leaves ‘space’ for the reader to imagine the world and the characters she creates. It’s all in the subtext. There’s a lovely feeling of spaciousness in her writing, different from some other books that can overwhelm you with detail and leave you feeling drained. After reading Claire Keegan, I feel enlivened, filled up.”

PWN instructor Lisa Johnson Mitchell said:

“This year, I was obsessed with travel. Any time I could get away from home, I did. Soaking in a new place—a new city, culture, food, people—unlocked wells of empathy and excitement in my heart. It helped me ‘see’ universal truths about humanity: We all want to be loved—and seen. It also helped me with a plot or character I couldn’t quite get. Why? The distance. When I was (up close) at home in my writing room, I was unable to see everything I needed to see. The details started to blur. So viewing my narrative from far away, outside my daily context, worked wonders.”

book inc intern Emma Moriarty said:

“In 2025, I have been obsessed with pushing myself to explore independence and discomfort! I graduated from college in May and have since lived by the motto that it is good and healthy to step outside my comfort zone, even when it doesn’t always feel good. Despite the discomfort and fluctuating emotions that come with moving from one stage of life to the next, I explored Europe with my best friend, started a new job, started submitting my essays to lit mags (yay!), went backpacking in the Wind River Range (for the second time), and traveled to Colorado to present my research that I worked really hard on in undergrad. I am proud of myself for obsessing over my comfort-zone boundaries, and I hope to continue to be obsessed with positive change and discomfort in 2026! (Side note: I have also been obsessed with cute dogs in coats this winter!)”

PWN instructor and book inc PAL Michele Prestininzi said:

“Something I was obsessed with in 2025? I couldn’t think of a thing until I scrolled through my photos and realized I’ve been focused on having experiences. I’ve said yes to new opportunities, new places, new connections, and kept up with old friends. I’ve attended a writing conference and presented at one, too. I’ve taken a new class and taught one. I even ran a 5-k, just to see what it was like. (Not fun.) My latest hack is creating shared albums of my experiences and then sending out little reels to family and friends. Thank you, iPhone, for making it easy. On the series front, I’ve loved watching Nobody Wants This, MobLand, and Landman—the writing is so well done. “

Jaime Vander Velde, a book inc writer and PAL, said:

“In 2025, I’ve been captivated by works in translation. The things that are lost, the things we gain, and the things in between. “