JOURNALISM PROJECTYour voice belongs here. A community for people who want to write, ask questions, share what they know, and make something meaningful—together.
The WOODSY Journalism Project is a community-based storytelling and media initiative operated by WOODSY LLC in Detroit, Michigan. We believe the people who live a story should have a voice in how it is told.
Too often, everyday people appear in someone else’s coverage without getting to shape the record. This project invites us to become authors of our own experiences: to notice closely, ask better questions, write with care, and preserve what matters.
A conversation on the porch. A neighborhood that’s changing. The work nobody sees. A memory only your family carries. These are starting points for writing, art, and history.
You don’t have to call yourself a writer to begin. And you don’t have to stop learning once you do.
Start with something you know: a person, a place, a question, a moment. Explore your voice through small pieces, reflection, and conversation. A rough first draft is a beginning worth making.
Bring your practice and your questions. Explore structure, interviewing, research, revision, and the choices that make your voice your own. Use thoughtful feedback to see fresh possibilities.
Bring an idea, a listening ear, or a skill to share. Shape a story together, trade perspectives, or help someone find the words they’ve been looking for. Everyone has something to learn and offer.
Take five minutes. Follow the prompt. Don’t worry about making it polished—write something you recognize as yours.
Optional: bring your response when you reach out.
Describe a place in your neighborhood that holds a story most people walk past.
Start with what you can see, hear, or remember.
Let one detail lead to the next.
Collaboration is more than putting names on the same page. It’s making room for one another’s questions, perspectives, and growth.
A memory, a draft, an unanswered question, or simply an interest in writing. You don’t need a finished idea to introduce yourself.
Notice the details. Listen to people. Look for context. Consider what research, an interview, or a personal reflection could reveal.
Share what kind of feedback would help. Ask questions, offer specific observations, and let the writer’s own intention guide the next draft.
A piece may become a personal record, an idea for collaboration, or something to discuss sharing with the project. Public sharing should be a deliberate conversation.
Clarity and craft matter. So do the rhythms, language, and perspectives that make a story yours. Growth doesn’t mean sounding like everyone else.
Ask, listen, and check. Make the difference between memory, opinion, and verified fact clear. Give sources and collaborators their due.
Be specific, generous, and honest. Help a writer strengthen what they’re trying to say while respecting their choices.
Approach personal stories with consent and care. Think about privacy, context, and the impact of sharing—especially when a story involves someone else.
No. The invitation includes people writing for the first time, people returning to writing, and experienced writers who want to deepen their practice through collaboration. Curiosity is a good place to start.
Personal essays, neighborhood observations, interviews, oral histories, reported questions, and reflections on everyday life can all be starting points. Reach out with your idea, even if you’re still figuring out its form.
No. Introduce yourself and tell us what you’re curious about. You can bring a few lines, an idea, or an interest in learning. Save private or sensitive story details for a conversation about how they should be handled.
Connect with WOODSY through the links below. Ask about the project’s current opportunities, format, timing, and any participation details. Use the interest form below to introduce yourself. The form is an expression of interest, not a story submission or a confirmed registration for an event.
Reaching out is the start of a conversation, not a publication agreement. Discuss editing, credit, permission, ownership, and where a piece might appear before agreeing to share your work publicly.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you’d like to explore. Beginners, returning writers, and experienced storytellers are all welcome.
This is an interest form, not a commitment or a publication agreement. No draft required.
Let’s see what we can create together. Introduce yourself to WOODSY and ask about getting involved in the Journalism Project.
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