CPL is proud to partner with the Illinois Writing Project for an innovative effort to promote writing throughout our city—Write Across Chicago!
In October, people of all ages and from all walks of life will be encouraged to write about topics and issues that matter to them—in small groups in schools, offices, library branches, education and neighborhood organizations, and more. Groups can sign up, tell about themselves, see what other writing groups are doing and find writing help at www.writeacrosschicago.org—and get engaged in their own writing.
Why write? There’s no need to be a great writer to discover the pleasure and value of writing. The reward? Sending letters to favorite grandparents, treasuring family stories, recording memories of childhood, proposing solutions to neighborhood problems—these activities and more all help enrich people’s lives. Writing group members will appreciate each others’ stories and perhaps start pen pals between groups.
This is not a class—except, of course, in school classrooms that participate. Nor is it a contest. Instead Write Across Chicago will guide writers to reflect, express thoughts, feelings and ideas on topics of their own choosing, and share these in supportive ways in their writing groups and more widely if they wish.
CPL will host over 50 different writing-related events for kids, teens and adults throughout October at neighborhood libraries. Events include writing workshops, learning circles, open mics and more.
The Write Across Chicago Grand Celebration on November 1 at Harold Washington Library Center will bring participants together to share writing and hear from a panel on how writing can connect people across our city.
