Scientific writing is a rewarding, challenging, and necessary part of research. Building skills in scientific writing is critical in graduate student training and provides the foundation for scientific communication at all professional levels. Despite the importance of writing in research, this skill remains a barrier to success for many students. We have developed a practical approach to minimize scientific writing barriers using student-driven, peer-exchange in combination with concrete project goals and dedicated writing group times for a graduate Scientific Writing course. Course topics were drawn from self-identified student challenge areas and presented using in-class activities and discussion. Students selected their semester-long project on which to work, including research proposals, thesis chapters, and manuscripts. Students exchanged two rounds of peer review that provided overview comments and detailed editorial feedback. At each stage of their project, students built on their previous work in response to peer and instructor feedback. All students made progress on their individual projects and the majority improved their skills in at least one challenge area. This student-directed approach to scientific writing offers an opportunity to empower students to improve their writing skills with an emphasis on establishing consistent writing habits that will benefit students throughout their professional careers.