We are discovering as we write and listen. We’re discovering things about ourselves, about one another, about the power of holding space.

There are deep and weighty topics. We hold our breath as the depths unfold. This is serious and intense!

Until it isn’t. Every week we laugh. A lot. sometimes things get ridiculous, nonsensical word pairings spill forth, silliness abounds.

See below: Prompt #6 is a favorite. Instead of the usual ten minutes, we do that one in three minutes: Write fast. Don’t edit. Don’t check yourselves. Go!

Please join us right now.

Take a prompt or two.

Write freely for 10 minutes.

Then share your piece as a comment on this post.

Today’s Prompts

1. Curly or straight? What do you think of?

2. Invent a superhero.

3. Write about a topic that you have to write about.

4. What unique combination of foods have you discovered to be delectable? Convince us all why we should try it.

5. Name brand items versus store brand items.

6. Write about how to [make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich].

7. You wake up to the sound of missiles falling.

8. Write about ‘verts -- introverts, extroverts, converts, and so on.

Write with Speak Up Weekly

Wednesdays @ The Mercantile — Rock Hill, SC
153 E White St, 2nd Floor

See More Upcoming Events
Including the re-launch the Rock Hill Main Library group on May 5th.

❤️ Support Speak Up.

Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

Give

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

For ninety minutes, we wrote, listened, and discovered. It’s a simple model: write to shared prompts, hold space for another to read aloud, respond with our applause.

The group that gathered has collectively experienced homelessness, abuse, illness, faced traumatic health issues, struggled recently with depression. We’ve fought for hope, seen soaring opportunities, been thrilled by grace. Much of this came out as we wrote together. Laughter, deep feeling, and a whole lot in between.

Speak Up writing groups are an honest space amidst an insane world of inputs and outputs of split-second opining, social media reactions, fake news, semi-true news, AI slop, of not knowing what to believe or who to trust or where to anchor.

The writing group is a citadel of pause and presence. Purposeful, quiet, real.

To those who gathered last week: thank you. I loved hearing from you and being with you. And to those who are thinking of joining us in a couple days: please come!

Write with Speak Up

The Mercantile — Rock Hill, SC
153 E White St, 2nd Floor

Wednesday, March 25
9:30–11:00 AM

See upcoming events

From the Writing Groups

Excerpted from Bucket List / Fragrance by Tom Hildebrand

Spend a year traveling in Australia... Scuba Diving: for the experience of the Great Barrier Reef before it’s destroyed. Scuba is the closest thing to walking on the moon here on earth. The sound of the sea, the quiet, the bubbles from the regulator and one’s breathing is a beautiful zen experience...

Recent Writing Prompts

• What’s a long-distant memory that often returns? What can’t you stop thinking about.

• Are you speaking your authentic voice or echoing the voices of others? How do you know? What do you trust more: silence or explanation?

• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

• Think of someone that you should have treated better. Write an apology to them.

• Share a memory of when you were most amazed by looking up in the skies.

• Write about _____________ using only questions.

• Write about ABRACADABRA… figuratively or literally… it means “I create as I speak.”

• What does this world look like in 25 years?

Share your response in the comments.

❤️ Support Speak Up.

Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

Give

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

We write from shared prompts. We read aloud and honor each reader with our attention and applause.

So much happens from this simple model: human creativity is released, a bulwark of quiet presence deepens, learning and growth swell across social and cultural divides, and friendships form.

From the Writing Groups

Excerpted from From Potato Salad to Social Problems by Pauline McCollough

I hope that people agree that eggs should NOT go in potato salad! There are things that may sound like they go well together…

I wish that everyone knew that those who need help aren’t dumb, stupid, or ignorant. We--me being part “those” maybe not in the same but in different ways--know what we need…

I think blindness physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally means that you’re not only kept in the dark in those ways, but it’s that you’re not willing, wanting, or scared to try to see…

The fix to any problem starts with listening, hearing, and empathizing to what the person/people with the problem has to say…

Recent Writing Prompts

Share your response in the comments.

• Write about departures, farewells, and missing people.

• Do you like to cook? Write about cooking in your life.

• “They thought I was finished but then…” or “I thought I was finished but then…”

• What is something that happened to you that was not pleasant at the time, but now you can see it as a blessing in disguise?

• Explain why _________ isn’t that great.

• What moves you to tears? (It’s ok if the tears move while you share it.)

• You have a button that gives you a dollar whenever you push it. But it also makes someone somewhere in the world have a 15 minute panic attack. Write about it.

❤️ Support Speak Up.

Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

Give

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

In those spaces, we gather with a simple purpose. We write from shared prompts. We read aloud (optionally) and honor each reader with our attention and applause.

So much happens from this simple model: human creativity is released, a bulwark of quiet presence deepens, learning and growth swell across social and cultural divides, and friendships form.

Join us this week at all or any of the following:

Tuesday at the Mercantile — Rock Hill, SC
153 E. White St, 2nd floor
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

​Tuesday at the Matthews Public Library — Matthews, NC
230 Matthews Station St.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

​Thursday in the Prayer Room — Rock Hill, SC​
​156 Oakland Avenue, 2nd floor
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

These three weekly writing gatherings are just the beginning.

In 2026, we see many new Speak Up writing communities forming, through a range of partnerships, with diverse flavors, and in communities near and far.

If you’re interested in launching, hosting, and or just striking up a conversation about a new Speak Up writing community, please reach out by email.

Fundraising Update

We ended 2025 by asking you to donate $12,500 to release an equal matching donation.

Update: You Got Us There!

Thank you. Thanks to dozens of generous partners, we reached and exceeded the matching amount by the December 31st deadline.

Your support is always appreciated and needed:

Donate

Recent work from workshop writers:

It is a particular delight to watch this new community grow and form.

The first writing community includes two workshops in two locations in Rock Hill, SC. As it has developed over the last year and a half we’ve paid close attention to the process and have discovered a model that is repeatable and scalable.

It’s a simple approach: gather, write, share. Do it in a way that prioritizes honor, curiosity, and presence.

These few simple practices, repeated weekly with strangers, will shape us into something nearly magical: a community.

That new community, already bubbling, will over time began to connect and care for one another outside of the walls of the 90-minute writing workshop. It’ll happen organically, not as a social program project, but human to human. Social capital will be shared. Cultural awareness will grow. People facing homelessness will become friends with people who live comfortably in cozy houses. Week by week, person by person, isolation and mistrust and division will slowly erode.

What a joy!

There’s a lot in this post. Upcoming events, a big urgent need someone is facing, writing prompts, a new opportunity for just a few people.

Thanks for being here.

Speak Up Open Mic: December 17th

The Speak Up community of workshop writers, old friends, supporters, readers, and the general public are all invited to a fun evening of sharing, creativity, and laughter.

Bring your stories, poetry, spoken word, original music, unoriginal music, dance numbers, essays, comedy bits, and more to share with the rest of us.

Open Mic — More Info & RSVP

Next Week: Writing Communities

Click the links for times and locations.

Tuesday at the Mercantile — Rock Hill

​Tuesday at the Matthews Public Library — Matthews

​Thursday in the RH Prayer Room — Rock Hill​

Do you live near one of the current writing communities and want to keep updated about schedule, cancelations, events, and opportunities around specific writing workshops?

Join the separate Writing Communities Email List.

This Week’s Writing Prompts PDF

Here’s what all communities wrote to this week.

Empty bullets are for each group to suggest prompts on the spot.

December 8th to 14th Writing Prompts

414KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

NEW: Daily Writing Together Limited Access Micro-Community Invitation

We’re opening this up to all attendees of Speak Up’s in-person writing gatherings as well as five other people.

The format will be a daily post/email with a different prompt each day. Recipients are invited to write and respond/post their work as comments. Participants will added to our community social collaboration app. It’ll be a fun!

Limited to the first five respondents (for now). Let us know via email.

Community Needs: Qiana

The Speak Up community has been fortunate to know Qiana over the last several years. She was one of the earliest attendees of the first writing community in Rock Hill. For many months she’s been facing an major rent shortfall. Last summer, many of her friends and supports rallied around her to provide funds to delay eviction.

She’s been constantly looking for work, but one of her biggest challenges happened in October, when she landed a promising job that turned out to be a scam, costing her time and resources.

From Qiana:

I’ve been actively searching for work and was thrilled to receive a job offer, only to discover it was a scam. This setback has been devastating for us. Thankfully, I have secured a legitimate job starting December 1st, but my first payday is still a week away.

Read Full Update and Support Her Directly

And More…

Check out From the Workshops to see delightful work from workshop writers.

Learn about the mission, values, practices, and distinctives of Speak Up Writing Communities.

Want to start a writing community? Here’s what partnership looks like to us.

Send an email directly to Executive Director Matt Shaw to start a conversation.

December 2025 Need Update

Hi, I’m reaching out with a heavy heart as my son and I face the very real threat of eviction. We’ve been so grateful for the support that helped us cover rent and bills for September and October, but we still have a long way to go. November and December’s rent and utilities remain unpaid, and without your help, we risk losing our home.

I’ve been actively searching for work and was thrilled to receive a job offer, only to discover it was a scam. This setback has been devastating for us. Thankfully, I have secured a legitimate job starting December 1st, but my first payday is still a week away.

We’re aiming to raise $7,500 to cover these critical expenses, and every dollar counts. Your generosity can make a huge difference in keeping us safe and stable during this difficult time. I promise to pay it forward once we’re back on our feet. Thank you for considering our plea and for your kindness.

Help Qiana via Gofundme

Please share our story and help us reach our goal before December 15th.

Previously (Summer 2025):

✅ Update — Need Met 8/13/2025

Thank you!

Update — 8/11/2025

So, far we’ve been Blessed to come up with $1,427 of what the needed $1,665.

We still need $238 bucks by Wednesday (13th) to stop the eviction!

I also had my appointment yesterday to get help with the utility bill, so hopefully we’ll get approved for that! God is working everything out! I’m Grateful and extremely Thankful.

— Qiana

Initial Post — 7/29/2025

My name is Qiana. My son and I were homeless in Rock Hill for two years, and by the grace of God, we are still here.

We are in need of help right now with rent and utilities.

So this is what starting over means to me. Starting over in a new place has been one of the most difficult transitions I’ve ever had to face. Uprooting my life and leaving behind everything familiar was not something I took lightly, but it was necessary for my growth, safety, and peace of mind. While I hoped this move would be the beginning of a better chapter, the reality is this: it has been filled with unexpected financial and emotional challenges.

We need furniture, beds, a vehicle, and I need a job. It has become very emotional.

It’s hard to build stability when you’re starting with very little. Every day feels like a balancing act between survival and trying to move forward. One of the biggest struggles has been covering the basics, especially utilities and rent. Despite doing everything I can to stay afloat, including seeking work and cutting back on expenses, I find myself falling behind, which has caused a lot of stress because if I don’t pay the rent, we’re going to be evicted. Back home is where we just came from, so that has been one of the very emotional parts of starting over.

The cost of living in a new area has been higher than I anticipated, and without a solid support system in place yet, it has been hard to catch a break. It’s just been a little overwhelming, but I know that God’s grace is sufficient for us as well. It’s not easy to ask for help, but the truth is I’m in a position where I truly need it, not just for today, but to lay the foundation for a more secured and hopeful future for my family and me.

I’m reaching out now because I believe in the power of community and compassion. Everyone goes through seasons of hardship, and this is mine. With support, whether it’s help with rent, keeping the lights on, furniture or employment, even encouragement, I know I can keep pushing forward. I’m determined to rebuild, and every bit of help brings me one step closer to stability and healing in our new beginnings.

I’m determined. I’m asking you guys for whatever you have.

If you know someone with furniture who is willing to deliver it to us, that would be great.

If you know someone who has employment, that would be great too.

With my son starting school, I’m not able to get the things he needs for school: clothes, book bags, shoes, school supplies—it’s just a lot on me.

I’m also disabled and receive disability, but it’s not enough to cover everything, and I have been diligently looking for employment since November of 2023. For some reason, I’m not able to really find anything, and I just really need some help right now to get us through August to pay the rent and the utilities.

So anything will do. Thank you for your consideration of helping us, and I really appreciate it.

Join us next week for a Speak Up Open Mic Night in downtown Rock Hill, SC.

The Speak Up community of workshop writers, old friends, supporters, readers, and the general public are all invited to a fun evening of sharing, creativity, and laughter.

Bring your stories, poetry, spoken word, original music, unoriginal music, dance numbers, essays, comedy bits, and more to share with the rest of us.

Featured Spoken Word Artist:

Please RSVP to us know you’re coming. We can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP for Open Mic

Details

Date and Time

December 17th, 2025

6:00 PM — Doors open for snacks and mingling

7:00 - 8:30 PM — Open Mic, open to all

Location

The Mercantile
153 E. White Street, Rock Hill, SC
2nd Floor (stairs access only)

Snacks and Dessert, Courtesy of You

Are you able to bring an appetizer or dessert (or both) to the event?

Great! Let us know when you RSVP.

RSVP for Open Mic

Questions or Feedback?

Leave a comment on this post, others may be wondering the same thing.

Spread the Word with this Printable Flyer:

Speak Up Open Mic Letter Poster

139KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

One of Speak Up’s donors is matching everything donated—up to $12,500—between November 24th and the end of the year.

12/5/25 UPDATE — $2,000 of $12,500 raised.

Thank you to that matching donor and to those who have already given to this year-end campaign. Please consider joining in today and doubling your giving impact.

Make a General Support Donation:

Donate

Or make a targeted gift to supply materials, resources, and operational backing for one of the specific Speak Up Writing Communities.

Coming Up: Writing Communities Happening Next Week

Tuesday at the Mercantile — Rock Hill
153 E. White St, 2nd floor
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

​Tuesday at the Matthews Public Library — Matthews
230 Matthews Station St.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

​Thursday in the Prayer Room — Rock Hill​
​156 Oakland Avenue, 2nd floor
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Do you live near one of the current writing communities and want to keep updated schedule, cancelations, events, and opportunities around specific writing workshops?

Join the separate Writing Communities Email List.

This Week’s Writing Prompts

Write. Read aloud if you want. Listen. Applaud.

The empty bullets are for each workshop writers to suggest prompts in realtime.

Writing One

• Find two unrelated objects near you and write about how they might be used together.

• Pants or shorts: which one you prefer?

Writing Two

• Write about the relationship between the weather, mood, emotions, and mental health.

• Write about your name or names. Do you like your name? What does it mean? What name do you wish you could have? Why?

Writing Three

• What was your favorite subject in High School? Why? Have you used that subject in your life? How?

• Write about light and dark, lightness and darkness.

And More…

Check out From the Workshops to see delightful work from workshop writers.

Learn about the mission, values, practices, and distinctives of Speak Up Writing Communities.

Want to start a writing community? Here’s what partnership looks like to us.

Send an email directly to Executive Director Matt Shaw to start a conversation.

One month ago there was a single weekly Speak Up writing community. Now there are three!

The first one began in April 2024 at the main library in downtown Rock Hill, SC.

Initially it was exclusively for people facing homelessness. But it quickly evolved into something more beautiful. A space for anyone to gather across chasms of social division, write in community, and unfold themselves to one another.

An average gathering is a diverse mix of people: different in housing status, belief, age, race, politics.

In the age of distrust, divisive algorithms, and social isolation, the Speak Up writing community proves a different way is possible.

Many more writing communities are coming in 2026

What started as a project for a single location is now a model for multiplication.

As noted above, within the past month we’ve launched two additional weekly writing communities: a second one in Rock Hill, SC and then another in Matthews, NC.

But this is just scratching the surface.

In 2026 and beyond we envision helping inspire, equip, and launch dozens more communities. Each community becomes a place of connection, a nucleus for positive personal movement, a platform for leadership growth and empowerment, and an invitation to friendship.

Perhaps you’ll be part of forming or leading one of these communities? Take a look at the following and then reach out.

• Mission, Values, Practices, and Distinctives of Speak Up Writing Communities

• Writing Community Partnership Levels

Location-Specific Funding

We want to sustainably fund this rapid multiplication with a small support campaign built around each location. Each campaign covers both the modest expenses of weekly supplies—notebooks, pens, coffee, donuts—as well as the associated general support operating expenses.

Pick a Community. Plant a seed.

Here are current writing community fundraisers. Each one is designed to support a specific writing community for an entire year.

• The Mercantile Writing Community (Rock Hill, SC)

• Prayer Room Writing Community (Rock Hill, SC)

• Matthews Writing Community (Matthews, NC)

Or plant a seed and help us launch the next round of writing communities.

• The Next Speak Up Writing Community

Thank you!

Even More…

And if you’ve really caught this vision, please consider a deeper partnership.

1. Tell others about the existing writing communities.

2. Select a community above and easily create a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.

3. Start the conversation about launching a community in your area.

This week there are three Speak Up writing communities meeting in three different places. Two in Rock Hill, SC, one in Matthews, NC. This is just the beginning.

It’s the beginning of the multiplication of these writing communities that bring people together for the essential human act of writing and speaking. These are not spaces of division—by politics, belief, housing status—but places of honor, curiosity, and presence. Sharing. Community. Friendship.

Your Help Needed

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity — existing only thanks to your donations.

Please give today to support this movement.

Writing 1

• What did you bring with you today? Focus on one thing or many. Take this any direction you’d like: physical items, emotions, circumstances, baggage.

• A pet peeve. Something that bothers you. A recurring annoyance.

• Finish the sentence: “Home is…” or “Homelessness is…”

• Write prompts to submit for future writing workshops. (For next week or beyond.)

Writing 2

• Reflect on community. What is it? Write about community in your own life.

• Imagine and write a parody of a favorite movie or TV show.

• Write about all or any of the following: honor, curiosity, presence.

Writing 3

• Share about a place that has a strong meaning, history, or emotion for you.

• Describe a big problem facing culture or society. Imagine bold solutions. Where do you fit into the problem or solution? What is a first good step you can take?

• Write about funny words, such as dongle, argle-bargle, floozy, or brouhaha.

Speak Up Writing Workshops This Week:

The Mercantile, Tuesday, 9:30-11:00 AM — Rock Hill, SC

Matthews Library, Tuesday, 1:30-3:00 PM — Matthews, NC

Rock Hill Prayer Room, Thursday, 2:00-3:30 PM — Rock Hill, SC

— More details here.

Join the Online Space for Our IRL Community

We’re now using an app called Basecamp to brainstorm, chat, and plan stuff. This is an easy and fun way to stay connected. This side of Speak Up is for workshop writers, volunteers, and invested members of the Speak Up community.

2026 Q1 Magazine: Workshop Prompts & Writings

This upcoming mag is going to give readers a double value: (1) prompts that they can write from and (2) work inspired by those prompts.

Email in your workshop-inspired pieces.

Speak Up Open Mic

OPEN MIC NIGHT @ The Mercantile — Dec 17th @ 6:00 PM.

Save the date. Details to follow.

New Section: From the Workshops

We just published nearly 27 new pieces from workshop writers. Watch for another blast later this week.

Support the Movement

Your partnership in this endeavor is critical. Now more than ever.

Give to sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

Donate to Speak Up

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

Speak Up writing workshops are simple gatherings where people from all walks of life gather in person, write together, and listen to one another read their work aloud.

Unhoused and housed, demographically diverse, hailing from different corners of society. In the weekly writing workshop we put down our devices and echo chambers and algorithmic outrage and lean into purposeful writing, sharing, hearing.

Each gathering has a narrow focus: writing from shared prompts and then—optionally—reading that work aloud, followed by applause for each reader.

For people facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

For people not facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

We make a point to lean into the values of honor, curiosity, and presence.

It is a launchpad for creativity, relationships, voice-giving projects, and collaborations. Social capital is shared. Even better than that, friendships form.

A Simple Model

Here’s how it plays out over the course of a 90-minute gathering:

We start with three groups of writing prompts, with three prompts per group. (See below.) Writers then choose one or more prompts from each group and write for 10-15 minutes together. We share aloud with one another. Then we move on to the next group of prompts and write again.

A few simple constraints make space for everyone’s voice.

1. Write freely. Write whatever you want. Be authentic.

2. Read aloud and listen. Read your piece if you’d like. No pressure if not.

3. Applaud and thank. Generally: no feedback, just gratitude for your sharing.

The workshops are free. All supplies are thanks to your donations. There is no cost for attendees. No economic or ideological barriers to entry. Notebooks and pens are provided. Good coffee seems essential.

Now, as we think about multiplying into other communities and spaces, here are two essential ingredients.

1 — The Right Location

This first Speak Up writing community started at a local public library, which was already a place of gathering and traffic. The public library is one of the few remaining places where everyone belongs. This particular branch was already a daytime “home” to many people facing homelessness.

That right location, wherever it is, should accessible and welcoming and public. It helps if it is already a point of friction: the writing community will be meeting an unmet need.

Perhaps most important, the hosts of that physical gathering space should also share the vision.

2 — People Who Believe In It

Forming, launching, and facilitating a workshop can be both simple and difficult at the same time. The approach is simple: Write, share, write, share. But the process of establishing something from nothing is not easy. Early on, organizers may face challenges like low attendance and resistance from skeptics.

It will require joyful endurance.

Another essential. The launch team for a new writing community should personally need the workshop for themselves. It isn’t just about helping others. Helping others is good, but you don’t want to slide into the us-and-them mentality. This is about erasing divisions. We work to avoid amplifying the “helped versus helper” dynamic, which requires humility and vulnerability from the leaders. Facilitators are also full participants—which makes each week’s gathering refreshing instead of exhausting.

Thankfully you don’t have to do it alone.

—

We’re in the early stages of this multiplying process, there’s lots to discover.

But if you see yourself in this story, we would love to start talking now.

❤️ Support Speak Up

Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

Donate to Speak Up

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

Matthews Writing Community

Join us weekly for a free, fun writing community. We write together from group prompts and then optionally share our work with one another.

No experience needed. Everyone is welcomed!

Coffee, prompts, pens and notebooks are provided.

Open to all, with a special invitation for adults who are experiencing marginalization or homelessness.

View event listing on the CharMeck Library website.

Date and Time

Tuesdays — 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Location

Matthews Public Library, Community Room — 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews, NC

Connect

Support this writing community with a tax-deductible donation.

Sign up to get writing community email updates about specific locations.

Questions & Answers

What is a Speak Up writing workshop?

Speak Up writing workshops are simple gatherings where people from all walks of life gather in person, write together, and listen to one another read their work aloud.

Each gathering has a narrow focus: writing from shared prompts and then—optionally—reading that work aloud, followed by applause for each reader.

We make a point to lean into the values of honor, curiosity, and presence.

Why writing workshops?

These are rare spaces where people can gather and dwell with one another. Unhoused and housed, demographically diverse, hailing from different corners of society.

In the weekly writing workshop we put down our devices and echo chambers and algorithmic outrage and lean into purposeful writing, sharing, hearing.

For people facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

For people not facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

It is a launchpad for creativity, relationships, voice-giving projects, and collaborations. Social capital is shared. Even better than that, friendships form.

Who is this for?

Everyone!

Speak Up got its start as an outreach to people facing homelessness. The existing workshops were born out of that mission—and first aimed at folks on the streets, voiceless, and lacking community. We make a particular effort to invite and honor those who are marginalized.

However, these gatherings are for everyone. And that’s were the true power is: instead of coming together with labels that marginalize and divide, we simply gather as humans. Not as helped and helper. Or us versus them.

What do I need to bring?

Nothing.

Everything you need is provided. Pens, notebooks, writing prompts. Good coffee. Probably donuts or something of that nature.

What if I’m not a writer?

This is for everyone. Writers. Former writers. Future writers. Never writers.

You’ll never have to share your work with others. This isn’t a feedback group or critique group. The invitation to read aloud will always be offered, but you won’t be put on the spot.

What will we write about?

Whatever you want.

The writing prompts change every week and are often written by active attendees. Here are the prompts from a recent gathering.

Writing Workshop Prompts: Week Of October 13, 2025

208KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

We’ll write three times, ten minutes at a time. You’ll have a choice of several prompts each time we write. Follow them or don’t follow them.

How can I get involved?

Definitely attend the first workshop. Let us know you are coming so we can get a headcount.

Reach out with questions, ideas, or to start a conversation.

Spread the word by sharing this post:

Share

Existing Weekly Workshops

The Mercantile — Tuesday mornings (Rock Hill, SC)

Rock Hill Prayer Room — Thursday afternoons (Rock Hill, SC)

Date and Time

Wednesdays, 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Location

The Mercantile — 153 E. White Street, Rock Hill, 2nd Floor

Details

Donuts and Coffee are provided.

Meeting space is on the second floor, only accessible by stairs.

Support

Donate to support the Speak Up Writing Community at the Mercantile.

Questions & Answers

What is a Speak Up writing workshop?

Speak Up writing workshops are simple gatherings where people from all walks of life gather in person, write together, and listen to one another read their work aloud.

Each gathering has a narrow focus: writing from shared prompts and then—optionally—reading that work aloud, followed by applause for each reader.

We make a point to lean into the values of honor, curiosity, and presence.

Why writing workshops?

These are rare spaces where people can gather and dwell with one another. Unhoused and housed, demographically diverse, hailing from different corners of society.

In the weekly writing workshop we put down our devices and echo chambers and algorithmic outrage and lean into purposeful writing, sharing, hearing.

For people facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

For people not facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

It is a launchpad for creativity, relationships, voice-giving projects, and collaborations. Social capital is shared. Even better than that, friendships form.

Who is this for?

Everyone!

Speak Up got its start as an outreach to people facing homelessness. The existing workshops were born out of that mission—and first aimed at folks on the streets, voiceless, and lacking community. We make a particular effort to invite and honor those who are marginalized.

However, these gatherings are for everyone. And that’s were the true power is: instead of coming together with labels that marginalize and divide, we simply gather as humans. Not as helped and helper. Or us versus them.

What do I need to bring?

Nothing.

Everything you need is provided. Pens, notebooks, writing prompts. Good coffee. Probably donuts or something of that nature.

What if I’m not a writer?

This is for everyone. Writers. Former writers. Future writers. Never writers.

You’ll never have to share your work with others. This isn’t a feedback group or critique group. The invitation to read aloud will always be offered, but you won’t be put on the spot.

What will we write about?

Whatever you want.

The writing prompts change every week and are often written by active attendees. Here are the prompts from a recent gathering.

Writing Workshop Prompts: Week Of October 13, 2025

208KB ∙ PDF file

Download

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We’ll write three times, ten minutes at a time. You’ll have a choice of several prompts each time we write.

Date and Time

Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Location

Rock Hill Prayer Room — 156 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC

Details

Coffee is provided.

Meeting space is on the second floor, only accessible by stairs.

Support this Writing Community

Donate for Prayer Room Writing Workshop

Questions & Answers

What is a Speak Up writing workshop?

Speak Up writing workshops are simple gatherings where people from all walks of life gather in person, write together, and listen to one another read their work aloud.

Each gathering has a narrow focus: writing from shared prompts and then—optionally—reading that work aloud, followed by applause for each reader.

We make a point to lean into the values of honor, curiosity, and presence.

Why writing workshops?

These are rare spaces where people can gather and dwell with one another. Unhoused and housed, demographically diverse, hailing from different corners of society.

In the weekly writing workshop we put down our devices and echo chambers and algorithmic outrage and lean into purposeful writing, sharing, hearing.

For people facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

For people not facing homelessness, it is an exhale, an opportunity to feel human and heard and seen.

It is a launchpad for creativity, relationships, voice-giving projects, and collaborations. Social capital is shared. Even better than that, friendships form.

Who is this for?

Everyone!

Speak Up got its start as an outreach to people facing homelessness. The existing workshops were born out of that mission—and first aimed at folks on the streets, voiceless, and lacking community. We make a particular effort to invite and honor those who are marginalized.

However, these gatherings are for everyone. And that’s were the true power is: instead of coming together with labels that marginalize and divide, we simply gather as humans. Not as helped and helper. Or us versus them.

What do I need to bring?

Nothing.

Everything you need is provided. Pens, notebooks, writing prompts. Good coffee. Probably donuts or something of that nature.

What if I’m not a writer?

This is for everyone. Writers. Former writers. Future writers. Never writers.

You’ll never have to share your work with others. This isn’t a feedback group or critique group. The invitation to read aloud will always be offered, but you won’t be put on the spot.

What will we write about?

Whatever you want.

The writing prompts change every week and are often written by active attendees. Here are the prompts from a recent gathering.

Writing Workshop Prompts: Week Of October 13, 2025

208KB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

We’ll write three times, ten minutes at a time. You’ll have a choice of several prompts each time we write.

Prompt: Write about things that are not dumb.

Things that are NOT dumb!

My dogs Auggie and Kiya. My cat Schmoo. My amputee cat Trooper.

I have heard people say animals are dumb. Of course, I am gracious and say my response quietly in my mind. I offer a generic response of “OK.”

Then like a secret world, the not dumb world of pets begins!

My not dumb animals are all strays thrown out during Covid or into the wild in general. One scaled the roof for 3 days peeping down as to say, “I am ready to be saved now.” Trooper got her name because I was feeding her as a stray and she vanished for a week. Upon her return I discovered her gunshot would that left her, dangling. Yikes!

Paws on my shoulder when I shed a tear or laughter abounds. Literal survivors. I have seen them watch PBS Masterpiece with curiosity. They fall asleep to sound baths every week as If I planned a spa day just for them. Emotionally in touch. Trust builders.

Fuzzy nuggets!

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Prompt: You’re going to have dinner with two people who have passed — famous or not. Who do you choose? Why? Write about your meal and conversation.

Dinner would be set in an old village vintage with stone and wood beams. There is snow outside and heavy coats are strewn about on the back of the chairs. Boots sloshing as skiers pass. In a corner there is a table set for three.

Who is sitting there? Eleanor Roosevelt and my grandmother. Our conversations are around generational trauma.

What stories are important to tell?

How do you comfort a breaking nation?

How do you protect yourself from what you feel is coming but you can’t see?

How do we nurture nature as we watch it become devalued and exchanged?

What should we pray for?

Do you feel you worked hard to make change?

When do we become elder?

What questions are the right questions?

What do you see happening now, that you can guide us to overcome in the days to ahead?

Do you see hope in us?

What song would you sing to me?

What poem would you praise?

Why hot dogs?

What prayers would you lift?

How do we heal?

Did you have doubt?

Did they call you strong?

It is the quietest of conversations. Not much is said. Instead, we held hands and sat in a small circle and acknowledged the answers were never the point. Holding onto each other and reaching out our hands made it safe enough to ask and the strength to hang on.

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Prompt: Write about this idea: “The moral arc of history is long, but bends toward justice.”

For whatever reason, the world’s longest diving board came to mind. Hand built by all of the those who came before us. Why a diving board? It has the ability to bend while supporting much weight.

So here we all are approaching this long board. Each one of us headed in the same direction. Ready to take a leap into the great blue waters below. The more people that climb on – the greater the arc.

The buoyancy being tried every time we move together. Let’s bounce to gain courage and test the strength beneath our feet. Courage will be needed to take the plunge.

Each new person has hope in their hearts as they shuffle on. We redistribute the weight to keep the people on the end of this arching board from bending near the waters too soon. What happens then? We get ready to dive in.

I will see you in the water, folks!

We all jump in.

If you don’t know how to swim, ask your fellow board walkers for a life vest and don’t be afraid to jump in.

No one is in these waters alone. Millions dove in before us and are wading for us.

No one is in these waters alone so let’s not let anyone go under.

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Prompt: For an entire month, you can travel anywhere in the world with all expenses paid. Where do you go?

My Pilgrimage: The Camino Trail

Even with an all-expense paid trip to do anything anywhere, the trip in my heart is more reliant upon the love, wisdom and faith of others. Yes, I would accept the airfare and need little with me otherwise.

To walk and Talk with God in a land meant to wander, sweat, laugh, cry and explore. The questions in my heart as it feels like I put God on hold like it was the 90’s and I was taking a three-way call. A call I could come back to while I answered call after call. Prioritized this person at that time. I fell hard. I mean hard.

I have taken God off hold and have begun the most important pilgrimage which is within my own heart.

In this new land I will walk in the steps others have walked-humble myself in a quiet moment, put one foot in front of the other. Get lost and sing joyfully off key!

An intentional journey to become more intentional.

Smell the grass, run barefoot and do the strenuous work of beginning and ending.

Being open-hearted, exhausted, pleasant meals with strangers, prayers alone, communing, relating, understanding.

Getting my clothes dirty with not a single idea of how I am going to wash them!

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Peace be with you. And also with you. Words that follow with fellowship, love and devotion.

Then in my car on the drive home I must turn the radio off. The messages do not align with the peace I am trying to keep in my heart.

I go to the TV and scroll for an Autumn scene of fall foliage. Old red trucks and covered bridges covered in fallen leaves. I accidentally saw the news—oh no! That doesn’t seem like the pace I am seeking. I turn the TV off.

I will try real nature—my first love, my forever escape, my glorious peace. Then, I hear someone having target practice right outside the fence—I flinch—that does not give me peace. It gives me a stomachache and worry.

Back inside, I have a perfectly placed rocking chair facing a window—just as I intended. It looks like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Oh look, I staged my own peace! Oh yes, this will do! A pair of huge dorky headphones that will allow me to shut out the world and turn on classical music. I remember to breathe and realize peace is in my own efforts. It began with all the efforts and preparations that others and I have made.

For a quiet moment, alone to be restored enough to remember; to remember.

Even in this small moment may I never forget how much resilience it took to have it.

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.

Prompt: What’s in your backpack?

Today, in my backpack, I lightened my weight.

It took a week to pack, unpack and prioritize. What used to be a figurative burden full is now just a simple pack. What can I truly carry with me? Discovering weight that is proportionate to my physicality.

What used to be in this backpack?

Everything that ever was—a 300 pound back sack. Full of worry, doubt, fear, experiences, mistakes, failures and accomplishments. All shoved into this unbearably heavy back-breaker of a bag.

Then it occurred to me to put it down. You don’t need to carry it with you everywhere you go as people watch me plop it down in each room you enter. Thud, “Hi, I’m Noel.”

Today, what is in my backpack?

A few essentials and I walk with less of a lean. What’s in my backpack today? Not as much. I am learning to pack and unpack it daily. All I know is today it is a bit easier to carry.

❤️ Support Speak Up. Sustain and plant life-changing writing communities that give a voice and bring people together across cultural, social, and economic divides.

→ Donate here. Speak Up is a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Gifts are tax-deductible.