Say Hello to Write Together KL, the Community Proving That Writing Is Better When It’s Not Done Alone

More than just a gathering for writers and creatives to nurture a consistent habit, it's a community designed to support, motivate, and connect writers of all kinds.

How it all began

Johanna Liporado is one of the organisers of Write Together KL. The community was originally founded in 2022 by Shankar K. Eham.

According to Johanna, the first time she joined the community was actually Shankar’s last day with the group, as he was leaving for the United Kingdom. Since then, the torch has been passed to a few other organisers before Johanna was invited to become one. Another co-host is Helen (Eleni) Petrakou, who also happens to be a resident physicist.

When asked why she decided to join a writing community, Johanna said she felt she lacked discipline and consistency.

Upon returning from Europe, she began searching for a writing group in KL and stumbled upon Write Together KL on an app called MeetUp.

“My first time joining the group is actually quite funny. At the time, I was the type of person to start projects and lose momentum after a month or so. I was brainstorming ideas for a project while in Europe and knew that if I didn’t find some way to stay accountable, the progress would stop," she shared.

"I joined Write Together KL and was excited to attend. But because I was still jet-lagged, I came a day early. I didn’t realise the session was on Thursday—I showed up on Wednesday. There I was, writing alone, wondering where all these mysterious writers were. But hey, I got some writing done!”

In addition to Johanna, Helen, and Shankar, the community also includes other notable members such as:

• Noor Anwar Hadi – scriptwriter & playwright
• Peter Sidell – comedian & playwright
• Aiman Azri – comedian & playwright
• Iqsa Aqilah – showrunner & animator
• Rizal Ramli – science fiction writer
• Cindy – fantasy writer
• Rooney B. – filmmaker

The community's schedule

When asked what kind of writers typically join the gatherings, Johanna said there’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ writer as participants come from all walks of life.

“We have novelists, bloggers, animators, scriptwriters, poets, playwrights, comedians, and a scientific journalist. Fun fact: this journalist recently published an article on supersymmetry in Scientific American! We also sometimes have people who just come for the vibe,” she said.

Previously, Write Together KL met every Tuesday and Thursday. Starting June this year, they’ve added a Sunday session:

• Tuesdays, 4–6 PM at Taman Hati, SS2
• Thursdays, 7–9 PM at Plump Cafe, Bangsar
• Sundays, 4–6 PM at Yap Ah Shak, Chow Kit

Joining is refreshingly simple, no applications required. Just:

• Pick a day that suits you
• Order something to support the local venue
• Find the group (don’t be shy—ask around and introduce yourself)
• Sit down and start writing

Each session typically lasts two hours, but participants are free to stay and socialise or head home—no pressure!

The most memorable session

Like many communities, some gatherings stand out more than others. For Write Together KL, Johanna shared one particularly memorable moment from New Year’s:

“A member named Peter started writing an absurdist play inspired by Waiting for Godot. After sessions, we’d recite the scenes he wrote. Eventually, he finished it, and we even performed it at another member’s apartment in front of a small audience. These are the kinds of interactions that make it all worthwhile.”

It’s not all sunshine & rainbows

While Write Together KL fosters a supportive and inspiring space, it hasn’t been without challenges. According to Johanna, the group was in a rough patch when she stepped into the organiser role.

“When the previous organiser left suddenly, many of our regulars stopped coming. For the first month or so, it felt like I was hosting for no one. Eventually, I decided to fully commit. I started the Instagram account and promoted sessions through reels. I come from a marketing background as a graphic designer/animator, so I gave Write Together KL a brand makeover. The reels gained traction, and more people started showing up.”

Another challenge was dealing with attendees she didn’t personally connect with.

“As long as they’re not harassing anyone, they’re welcome. Some people came for the wrong reasons—thinking it was a dating space. They usually move on once they realise we’re serious about writing.”

Johanna also emphasised the importance of creating a non-hostile environment.

“I’ve seen other groups where the host is a control freak, and people become afraid to be themselves. As a host, you need emotional intelligence. It’s okay to be a control freak with your own work—I am—but not with people.”

She added that while regulars are the backbone of the group, it’s just as important to make newcomers feel welcome. One of the hardest parts of building the community has been maintaining consistency.

“I’ve seen people come and go. When I was dealing with personal issues and couldn’t attend regularly, the group suffered. The vibe changed. I even thought about quitting, but a few members told me I was doing a good job—even when I didn’t feel like it. Their support kept me going, and things eventually got better.”

What’s next for Write Together KL?

Write Together KL is always evolving. According to Johanna, beyond the new Sunday sessions, members have started attending each other’s comedy shows and poetry readings.

“We also host movie nights and exchange books. We even did a Severance Season 2 marathon. Sometimes, members host off-shoot sessions. One member, Anwar, even printed stickers of our logo to give to new members as welcome gifts.”