Writing can be a lonely endeavor.

Kelly and Gabby, even with their love of well-worn books and ratty journals, are far too extroverted to sit around and write in isolation. If they were feeling this way, surely others were as well.

One day, they sat out on an Ohio City porch doing what they do best - scheming. Priscila, the muse for many of Kelly’s stories and Gabby’s 14-year older doppelganger, once wrote on a Moleskine notebook’s front page. “If found return to Priscila. Reward: If you don’t, I’ll cut you.” That in and of itself felt like a story. It didn’t take years to create and edit. It was a spur-of-the-moment, impulsive act as many of Priscila’s most memorable moments are.

It planted an idea in Kelly’s head.

More space for impulsive, unedited, wholly brand-new writing should exist. Gabby, ever the facilitator, built a framework for the evening. Kelly, ever the overspender, bought the prizes. Together they hosted the first StoryWars event at Bookhouse Brewing and expected no one to show up.

Gabby and Kelly are sister and brother…in law!

Gabby works in higher education and Kelly leads sales for a data startup. They’re both avid writers and creators who love telling stories, hearing those stories come alive and inspiring (sparking?) others to tell their stories, too. Most of all, they love building an inclusive community of creators through shared creative acts.

Nearly a year later, StoryWars has a growing community of creators, writers, storytellers, and listeners that come together monthly.

There are no prerequisites to join the fun. In fact, Gabby and Kelly may peer pressure you into joining even if you’re just at the bar by accident.

They created StoryWars as a way to encourage creative action by removing the second-guessing, questioning, creator’s block, and everything else our heads do to stop our hearts from saying what they have to say.