If you’ve been writing on HackerNoon for a while, you’ve probably seen how much the platform has evolved. From Editor 2.0 to the sleek and powerful 3.0, we’ve introduced everything from code blocks to quote boxes, notice boxes, and even story boosts. These improvements aren’t just for writers; they’re designed to make storytelling more fun and seamless for both authors and readers alike.
Chowa: Collaborative Text Editing
Introducing Chowa, HackerNoon’s shiny new collaborative writing feature! With Chowa, you can now start a blank draft and co-write stories with other contributors in real time. Whether you’re co-authoring with a friend, teaming up with an expert, or mentoring a new writer, Chowa makes it seamless and fun to bring multiple voices into one story.
One of the most exciting parts? You can now add co-authors directly from your draft. Just click “Add Co-Authors” (or head to Story Settings), invite your collaborators, and voilà—they’ll get notified via email and see the draft in their dashboard. Need to switch things up? You can easily remove someone with a single click.
On top of that, Chowa includes a built-in comment feature that lets you highlight text and leave suggestions, questions, or high-fives using the yellow speech balloon icon. All comments are tracked in one place, so your team stays perfectly in sync with every idea.
✅How to Use Chowa Like a Pro
Interview-Style Pieces
Chowa offers a natural format for publishing multi-perspective stories, especially interviews or Q&A-style pieces. When two contributors share a draft, they can shape the flow of the conversation directly in the editor, edit for tone and clarity together, and ensure the final piece reads smoothly. It’s a more integrated alternative to the back-and-forth of external document tools or email threads.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations
Many great tech stories live at the intersection of different domains: product and engineering, data and design, founder and investor. Chowa facilitates this kind of co-authorship by allowing contributors to work simultaneously while maintaining clarity through comments and shared editing tools. The result is a single, cohesive article that reflects interdisciplinary thinking without compromising structure or voice.
Mentorship in Action
For new writers joining the HackerNoon community, Chowa creates an opportunity for direct mentorship. Seasoned contributors can co-author pieces with newer voices, providing in-context feedback and guidance throughout the writing process. It’s a collaborative space where editing becomes a dialogue, not just a review but also making the writing process more transparent and inclusive.
🤝 Tips for Effective Collaboration
Assign sections or roles
Before diving into the draft, clarify who’s responsible for what—whether it’s writing, editing, sourcing links, or formatting. Clear roles reduce overlap and help the project move faster.
Chowa’s built-in comment feature keeps feedback transparent and contextual. Use it to ask questions, suggest edits, or flag sections for review without cluttering the draft itself.
Set a deadline together
Even the best ideas can stall without a timeline. Agreeing on a publishing goal helps maintain momentum and ensures the piece moves from draft to published without unnecessary delays.
Why Chowa?
Collaborative writing doesn’t just make drafting easier- it makes storytelling richer. It brings new perspectives, sharpens your voice, and pushes creativity further than solo writing ever could. For readers, it means more dynamic stories. For writers, it means support, accountability, and the joy of building something together. With Chowa, writing becomes a team sport—and we think that’s pretty awesome.
