From isolation to inspiration: the psychology of writing in communities

Writing in communities, in the form of writing groups and writing retreats, has become immensely popular in the last decade. Despite COVID-19 putting a halt on face-to-face meetings, the new online writing group boom has helped academics to stay productive. Nicole Janz explores how writing in groups can provide an antidote to the competitive yet isolated aspect of academic existence and considers why, to retreat into ourselves, we need to be surrounded by others.