What Do We Really Mean When We Say “Writing Community”?

More Than a Place to Write—It’s Where You Belong

You’ve heard us say it a thousand times: “Join our writing community!” “Write with us!” “Community this, community that!” But what do we actually mean when we talk about a writing community?

We asked our instructors and staff to help us answer that question. Turns out, they had a lot to say.

It’s How You Become Part of Where You Live

“It wasn’t until I became an instructor for Project Write Now that I truly started to feel like part of the community where I live and work,” reflects Meredith Z. Avakian, PWN’s director of community outreach & engagement. “Three years since then, and now it seems I cannot go anywhere without crossing paths with someone from the community who I have shared space with during one of our PWN workshops, classes, or events.”

This is the ripple effect of a writing community—it extends beyond the classroom, beyond the page, and into the fabric of our daily lives. In Red Bank, Asbury Park, and throughout Monmouth County, PWN has become more than an organization; it’s become a gathering place where middle schoolers, adults living with mental illness, aspiring college students, and seasoned writers all find their seat at the same table.

“It’s incredible to work for a heart-centered organization that puts people first,” Meredith continues, “encouraging individuals across backgrounds and generations to find and express their authentic voices through writing. Sharing words, stories, and poems connects us and creates compassion.”

It’s About Way More Than Accountability

Sure, many writers come to the community seeking accountability—that external motivation to actually sit down and write. (We get it. The couch is comfortable. Netflix exists.) But as PWN program director Lisa Hartsgrove discovered, what keeps writers coming back runs much deeper.

“While it’s true that I would never write nearly as much if it weren’t for being a part of this writing community, the biggest benefits I reap are actually the deep, meaningful connections,” Lisa explains. “In a writing circle, there are essentially no secrets. I don’t have to worry about what is being left unsaid, what’s being held back. It isn’t. We are our rawest, most vulnerable selves. We are storytellers.”

This vulnerability—this willingness to show up authentically—creates something rare and precious.

“Project Write Now is so much more than just a writing space, for me,” Lisa says. “It’s a lifeline. It’s where I can be most authentically myself without fear of judgment, where I can speak my truth and listen to the voices of others.”

It’s a Powerful Force

“A community of writers is a powerful force where like-minded people can connect over their love of words and creating,” says book inc PAL Jaime Vander Velde.

And she’s right. That power shows up in real, tangible ways. Writing is often solitary work—just you, the blank page, and the voices in your head (hopefully the helpful ones). But as PWN instructor Michele Prestininzi points out, “I love being part of the PWN writing community. Our shared interest allows us to celebrate each other’s successes and support one another through challenges. Although writing can be a solitary activity, having a community to share the journey with makes all the difference.”

At a time when we may be feeling more divided and isolated from one another, Project Write Now provides an antidote by reminding us all of our shared humanity. Sharing words and stories creates meaningful connections by helping us understand one another better, generating renewed hope for what is possible in our world today.

It Gets Results (And Friendships)

Liz deBeer, a PWN instructor and book inc writer, keeps it real about what writing community actually delivers: “Project Write Now’s writing community provides me with supportive nudges, inspiring anecdotes, encouraging feedback. The result? Published stories, creative companions, some works-in-progress, plus ideas for future writing projects.”

Published stories AND creative companions? That’s the dream, right there.

From draft to publication, from uncertainty to celebration, a writing community walks alongside you. Whether it’s the Friday Lunchtime Write-In, the daily Morning Pages sessions, or the spontaneous sharing at Write Out Loud events, these consistent touchpoints become anchors in our creative lives.

It Makes You a Better Literary Citizen

“Project Write Now has been a wonderfully supportive space for me,” says Court Harler, PWN instructor. “I feel nurtured as a writer, editor, and podcaster, and just generally, as a literary citizen. What’s more—I’m daily inspired by the perseverance and hard-earned successes of my fellow PWNers. I love reading their newly published stories, poems, and essays, and I’m especially looking forward to reading several debut books on the horizon! Creativity requires community, and PWN is one of the best.”

This ecosystem of mutual support and inspiration is precisely what transforms individual writers into a thriving community. When one person publishes a story, we all celebrate. When someone shares a difficult revision, we all lean in to help. When debut books appear on the horizon (looking at you, 2026!), we all feel that collective pride.

It Extends Beyond the Page

As PWN co-founder and executive director Jennifer Chauhan emphasized when speaking to entrepreneurship students at Rider University, “It’s all about forging and strengthening meaningful relationships with your team, with your students or clients, with your community partners.”

Over eleven years, PWN has woven itself into the fabric of Monmouth County through partnerships that matter: weekly workshops at Red Bank Middle School, bi-monthly sessions at Shore House for adults living with mental illness, college essay coaching at Keansburg High School and Lunch Break’s Alliance for Success, ekphrastic writing with young women at Collier Group Home, youth journaling clubs at Asbury Park Public Library, and Community Playmaking showcases in partnership with Two River Theater.

These programs don’t just teach writing—they build bridges. When ninth graders at Collier Group Home volunteer to share their ekphrastic poems, when Shore House participants move from a 3 to a 5 on the emotional well-being scale after a single workshop, when seniors at Lunch Break discover stories that only they can tell, community happens. Connection happens. Hope happens.

“I am so grateful for all of the support we’ve received over the years from participants, community partners, and donors,” said Jennifer. “Thank you for believing in our mission, for trusting us with your stories, for embracing the healing and transformative power of writing.”

Come See What We’re Talking About

As PWN celebrates its 11th anniversary, Meredith captures the excitement many of us feel: “The thought of so many of us gathering under one roof together for our upcoming Community Celebration is exhilarating! I’m honored and excited to celebrate our greatest asset—our beautiful community.”

That celebration happens on Wednesday, October 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Two River Theater in Red Bank—a free evening filled with live music, light refreshments, writer performances, and the presentation of awards to this year’s Champions of Voices Educator and Volunteer awardees (Jenny Morelli, Kelly Cullen, Jennifer Gaites, and Shanda McManus) and community partners, including Two River Theater and Senator Vin Gopal. It’s a chance to come together, to witness what we mean by “writing community” firsthand, and to feel that joy and connection we keep going on about.

The spirit of gathering continues on Tuesday, October 28, with Friends & Features: Meet the Memoirists, a virtual event where national bestselling author Melissa Febos (Girlhood, Body Work, The Dry Season) shares the stage with three emerging voices from our PWN community—Elizabeth Jannuzzi, Shanda McManus, and Lou Storey—all with debut books arriving in 2026. Moderated by Court, this intimate literary salon exemplifies what makes PWN special: established authors and emerging writers side by side, celebrating both literary excellence and the power of community.

So there you have it. When we talk about a writing community, we mean a place where you can be seen and heard, where you practice empathy by listening to stories different from your own, where you discover that your individual voice becomes stronger when woven together with others. Whether you’re a seventh grader finding your voice for the first time, an adult returning to writing after years away, or a seasoned writer honing your craft, as Lisa so beautifully puts it: “There’s a place for all of these stories on the same table.”

And honestly? That table—and the community gathered around it—is pretty amazing. Come see for yourself.

Learn more about Project Write Now’s programs and register for events at pwnwriters.org.