Writing can be a very bonding activity with fictional characters and even with people from history and those we have not met; then, why do we not use this to connect ourselves to the community?
Writing also helps us overcome the barriers of space and alienation by providing a medium through which we can communicate our experiences, ideas, and views – which, in turn, helps build up the community in a very positive and fun way.
Let us consider the seven simplest (yet effective) ways in which writing can unite people to any extent.
1. Local Writing Anthologies and Community Publications
It’s not rare that cities and towns publish collections of work written by their local authors. We’re talking about everything from short stories, poems, essays, and even books that embrace and reflect the specific character of the community.
Those types of events give writers the opportunity to contribute something meaningful to their local culture and identity, as well as a platform to share their work with others.
For example, let’s say there is a city-based writing contest. Through participating, writers have the space to gain recognition and connections to their fellow citizens.
Reading about places near and dear to you, about people you know, or learning about your neighbor’s personal journey can awaken a deeper sense of community.
Not to mention, these events and publications are often collaborative efforts with multiple contributors and organizers pitching in, further strengthening connections within the community.
Plus, they offer a sense of pride and ownership in the creative output of the community itself.
2. Creative Collaborations
Picture this: you and a group of different writers, all contributing and working together on the same story, poem, or script. Sounds fun, right?
Collaborative writing lets you bring your authentic voice and ideas into a shared project, which can create something special, something you couldn’t do alone.
Collaborative writing projects, like community anthologies, short stories, or even spoken word performances, can help bring different perspectives from your community into a shared space.
And when it’s time to present the project, it brings the wider community into the creative process, too.
It gives people the opportunity to see and hear their community members’ thoughts and ideas in a new light, and that can create a stronger sense of connection and understanding.
3. Amplifying Voices That Need to Be Heard
Through writing, you can give a voice to those who might not always be heard. We all know there are stories just waiting to be told, and in workshops and writing courses, people are encouraged to tell their stories, whether they’re about personal experiences or stories about broader social issues.
These are places where doors open for expressing and sharing thoughts that we might not feel comfortable saying out loud.
When you write (especially in a community context), you’re not just speaking for yourself. Writing gives you the opportunity to shed light on voices that are often overlooked or underrepresented.
Think about movements like #MeToo or Black Lives Matter. Between October 2017 and September 2018, the hashtag #MeToo was used 19 million times, showing just how powerful written words can be in amplifying voices and drawing attention to important issues.
Writing is adding depth to the stories that shape our communities. When you share these stories, you are simultaneously helping everyone better understand different lives and perspectives around them.
So, when you pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and write down your thoughts, you’re not just expressing yourself – you’re contributing to a broader dialogue.
You never know; it could be YOUR words that change the world next.
4. Writing for Mental Health and Healing
Writing therapy can be best described as a combination of group therapy and writing workshops. Writing therapies are often individual, but in a group setting, the goal of these workshops is to blend creative and emotional expression with the support we receive through group therapy.
Given that numerous studies confirm that writing about personal emotions has a significant positive impact on both our mental health and physical health, these types of therapies and workshops are becoming increasingly popular and in demand.
By organizing such workshops within the community, we provide people with a space where they can work on themselves and their mental health in a creative way and with the help of the community.
5. Connecting Different Generations
Writing allows people to get to know one another on a more personal level, breaking down assumptions about what it means to belong to a particular generation.
This type of intergenerational communication creates a richer, more inclusive, and closer community where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
So why not bring all the generations together and bridge the age gaps? Imagine a kids’ writing workshop where future writers-to-be get to write the stories of their older community members.
Through workshops like that, we can hear old stories through young voices and create something special.
This collaboration of all generations and exchange of stories can challenge stereotypes, build mutual respect and understanding between age groups, and also build new friendships and connections in a community.
6. Blogs/Forums
The future is digital, after all. So why not create a website just for your community, where you’ll share news, opinions, events, creative works, and even suggestions as to how to better the community even further?
You can even create polls where each member of your community can give their own vote on how they want specific suggestions handled.
You can also use such a writing platform to discuss (and hopefully resolve) common issues, perhaps celebrate local achievements, etc.
Also, such a website would help connect and engage members in (written) dialogues – which is great for bonding and connecting.
7. Poetry/Writing Clubs
Why not have a physical installation or a digital platform (as seen in the previous step), where each member of the community has the chance to express themselves through words?
Not only does this fulfill the needs of any such enthusiasts, but it also helps bring in new eager talents to the scene, where THEY also have the ability to wow everyone around them by writing epic poems and captivating short stories (even books).
You can also have some (physical) installations in public spaces (e.g., parks, libraries, community centers, etc.) where residents are a pen stroke away from joining into the world of written art.
Conclusion
Writing is a unifying art at its very core. It helps to preserve heritages, reach out to the younger or older generations, and most importantly needs no justification for those voices in our society.
To paraphrase what John Green, “There is a form of writing that enables one to be part of a bigger story.” That bigger story begins right within neighborhoods and communities.
So, sharpen up those fingers and get typing where it matters.
