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Everyday Philosophers

Write what you know. That's the message the Neighborhood Writing Alliance has been touting for a decade as it helps awaken the authors and poets sleeping inside hundreds of Chicagoans.

Through workshops and a magazine, Journal of Ordinary Thought, the alliance helps writers of all ages hone their craft. These blooming literary artists come from all walks of life, and the diversity of experience is reflected in their writing. Meeting in libraries, community centers and churches, the writing groups have even translated their work into a play produced by the Chicago Theatre Company. Photos courtesy of Neighborhood Writing Alliance.

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Learn more about the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, a group that has been showing regular folks that they have books worth of wisdom to share since 1996.

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Gale Occomy from the Neighborhood Writing Alliance's King Branch Writing Workshop reads his work during the 2004 Hyde Park Arts Fest.

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Alliance members discuss their work at a group meeting.

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Charlene K. Smith gives a reading at the Hall Branch Library Writing Workshop, where she is a member of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance.

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Visiting artist Ian Weaver teaches Alliance members how to stitch together pages to make their own books. Photo by Dorothy Perry of the Bezazian Branch Library Writing Workshop.