By Scott Morgan

Prompt: Write about something you believed but have changed your mind about.

You’d think I’d remember the day my certainty died. I only remember the foreshock. The night I came down the stairs and said, I think my marriage is over.

We were done, and that was fine. I don’t miss her and I never did.

But I do miss the certainty.

A year before I had that conversation, I was just so sure. Of everything. The arrogance of dying youth, perhaps. The naïveté of someone who’s convinced himself he knows things.

He doesn’t believe. He knows.

Well.

Somewhere in the subsequent two years, my worldview collapsed because my certainty died. And it was a death.

Certainty is such a cozy blanket on top of such a comfy bed. It gives you license to indulge in safe routines. To lose it feels like a nuclear bomb. The aftermath is gray and endless.

Until you consider that you might not be facing a blank void, but a blank page.

I recently read the novel and saw the movie Conclave (Robert Harris). In both, the character of Cardinal Lomeli (Lawrence in the movie) speaks about the sin he’s most come to fear: certainty.

I wasn’t expecting to be brought up out of my chair by a fictional monologue. And yet here I was, leaning forward, eyebrows properly twitched and eager.

Certainty, his eminence argues, is the death of curiosity. Compassion. Tolerance. The Church’s strength lies in its diversity and in its doubt — without which, the cardinal offers, there would be no need for faith.

Church or not, faith takes courage. Faith is vulnerable, because it’s such a gamble. It doesn’t always pay off. And while faith does walk hand-in-hand with doubt, the other hand walks with hope. Certainty isn’t anywhere to be found.

All of which makes me sound very sure of myself. But I’m only sure that I have no idea what I know. Faith has replaced certainty, and it’s better over here.

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By Scott Morgan

Prompt: Define what “cosplaying life” — not like at Halloween, or a Ren Faire, like when someone dresses as a character — means to you.

I don’t cosplay poverty because despite that the electric company would occasionally shut off the power for unpaid bills,

— despite that half of the clothes I wore as a kid were 15 years out of style,

— despite that dinner was often leftovers for lunch at the school where my dad worked,

— despite that I thought going out to a restaurant with my parents was a bona fide vacation,

— despite getting into fights in school over my K-mart knock off sneakers that I had to wear until the holes wore through,

— despite that mom would furnish the house with goods paid for on Layaway,

— despite all that, I never really went unsheltered, unclothed, or unfed.

I might have worn rags, but I wore. I might have eaten crap, but I ate. I might have grown up in Trenton, NJ, but I could close my door, and I survived.

And despite not trying to cosplay poverty for some bullsh*t street crud, it bothers me when someone of means tries to relate to people who’ve really had it rough.

I don’t know how it is these days to need to take a bus to shop for food, just because I did that for a news story.

I didn’t write that story. That would be disrespectful. It’s not my lived experience, it’s my role play. I could stop the simulation anytime I wanted to.

A friend who grew up wealthy — not rich — wealthy, had a father who’d grown up on actual dirt floors.

He was a Cardinals fan because seeing cardinals every spring meant hunting, and he could eat again.

He would occasionally shut off the power to teach his kid — my friend — that everything could go away at any time.

My friend told me this as if she understood the real power shutting off and not being sure when it would come back on.

Recently, I read an “experience piece” by someone who’d spent the night in a shelter.

I imagine it’s a noble goal, but being well-intentioned and being intentional about solutions should not be confused as the same thing.

Empathy has an ugly side-effect, which is the creation of ingroups, and, by extension, the creation of them.

And yet how do we love without empathy?

Life is complicated.

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By Scott Morgan

Prompt: In what areas have you grown by attending this writing workshop?

I’ve learned that I like people a whole lot more than I had believed.

That it’s okay to sit in a room with strangers and become a not stranger.

I’ve made actual friends.

It’s getting to have your trust. The things some fellows have shared have really landed. And you took a shot and opened up and let it out, and it’s reminded me that people aren’t always to be wary of, to hide from.

My first five years in Rock Hill, I made a few friends who weren’t. The subsequent year and a half have been shaped by being in this room, with real people.

It helps me trust.

It’s helped me open up to others — and it’s been working out well.

This workshop gives me something to look forward to. A reset. I didn’t know how much I’d needed that.

It’s taught me about how quickly life can change in good ways.

And it reminds me how much I love and how much I miss the library where it all started.

I’m not the type to take others’ praise or admonishments to heart, but I feel utterly un-judged here.

Here, I’ve come to trust, because I’m not that radio guy to you. Most of you don’t even know my first name.

Certainly not my last name.

You just know a guy in the writing group.

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I love the word mystery!

It implies things needed to be uncovered and discovered.

Once a mystery is solved, there is always another!

There are endless clues to lost treasures and stories untold.

Following a path to collect,

all the pieces,

brings about curiosity and grit.

Being courageous enough to brave the oceans and depths,

of where the mystery leads you

feels fantastically exciting and without regret.

Trace the lines and connect the dots,

to all the uncertain parts

and eventually they will come together,

to create a story or maybe piece of art.

The mystery, the secrets, and hidden things

are the adventures where everyone wins.

We read about them in books-

We watch them in movies and TV-

We hear them in lyrics and songs that we sing-

How can all of these people be wrong?

What is the mystery to solve about love?

Where are the hidden things that will help us?

Who has the key to unlock secrets and open up?

I suppose that is why,

it is a mystery, a secret, or a hidden thing,

All the questions can make your head spin!

Judge a book by its cover -

And you will never know what is inside.

Endless emotions, a myriad of stories,

Traumas and joys, experienced and contrived.

So what is there to hide-

In a mystery or a secret,

Just a puzzle to solve-

Because we are all curious on the inside.

Lovers of nature and prose,

Appreciating sunlight and rain,

Is there a mystery in a rainbow?

Becoming endless supports of our

own domain!

Aren’t we each our own mystery-

Carrying a secret or possessing a hidden thing?

Why not have fun and try to solve the darn thing!

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I read it three times, trying to discern the difference or the similarity. Looking for clarity and a concrete example that my mind could make sense of.

Weirdly, it resonated more with a sensation in my chest, one of warmth and tingling. As if they are one and the same, two sides of the same coin, each with a slightly different perspective.

I continue to read the words and they get jumbled like a tongue twister, causing me to giggle out loud!

Am I abnormally normal or normally abnormal? I struggle to decipher it.

At the same time it feels as if there is a finger pointing at me and a quiet voice in the shadows whispering, “this is you, don’t you see it?”

I think I do sometimes, but do they see it too? Do I want them to see this, to know that I am abnormally normal and normally abnormal?

Now I have said it and written it three times! Is it like Beetlejuice or Voldemort?

I am leaning towards normally abnormal. Normal feels regular and I don’t feel regular so it seems to make more sense! To me? To whom? To you? To them? Today? Tomorrow?

Ok how about this:

Normally abnormal- is normal on the outside and abnormal on the inside.

Abnormally normal- is abnormal on the outside and normal on the inside.

This makes me feel like I am in a Shel Silverstein poem, which I adored as a child.

Tongue twisters, rhymes, funny and not funny-

A b n o r m a l l y n o r m a l

N o r m a l l y a b n o r m a l

Nonsensical and silly. Does it matter which way I go or choose?

Take a break and try another day! Who’s to say?

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My invisible backpack carries all the memories of the past and dreams of the future.

It holds the growth that is not linear but almost maddening. There are secret pockets on the inside, full of sunshine and quiet moments too.

The outside design, I imagine to be a pattern similar to a patchwork quilt, mismatched fabrics that are bright and colorful, and seamlessly belong together.

Packed in tightly around the metaphors of emotions and heartfelt inspirations, are my journals and sketchbooks. Photographs of my children and dogs sit next to my collections of rocks and crystals. And close to the top, are small bags filled with pencils, markers, and paints.

I feel most excited about the fun stuff! I wish to offload some of the heaviness, even if it is just a little to make more space for creativity and new collections.

I dream that my backpack would be large enough to house my favorite books, poems, and movies!

In the side pockets there are treats tucked in safely for a rainy day. Among them would be chocolate candy, cinnamon gum, my favorite protein bars, and something salty and crunchy!

When I take the time to take inventory, I pause and feel gratitude for all of it. Taking a moment to release the things that I no longer need, letting them go with grace and love.

Sliding down in my comfy space I reach for the journal and my favorite pen to write some thoughtful words and a pencil to sketch the emotions. Here I notice the softness in my heart and the smile on my face.

My backpack is not just a holder of things that are special to me, it is the metaphor for all that I carry with me, past, present, and future. All the pieces that create me like the design on the outside, maybe mismatched and imperfect, but perfectly me.

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VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday. A celebration of love. I love myself, my family, my friends, my Jesus. I love macarons, medium-rare steak, sunshine, singing birds, epiphanies, a good beat, a great hair day, and picnics in the park. Love is in the air!

COLOR

Dear Lilac... I love you so. A close cousin to lavender, a descendant of purple. I love that you serve baddie when paired with black and pretty girl when paired with mint and mauve. Lilac... a light royal color. Inviting and inspiring.

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Prompt: Write about a memory anchored in a smell.

Memories are funny, especially when a simple smell like fresh cut grass or baking apples can evoke a time long forgotten in the back of your mind.

One smell that brings me back is damp earth. It seems so normal but it’s not just damp earth. It’s that mixed with the smell of camp fuel, brewing coffee and horses somewhere far off in the distance.

It’s mornings waking up at the New York Renaissance Faire. I spent summer weekends there from age 10-16. My sister and brother-in-law owned a popcorn company and I worked all different odd jobs at the faires. It ran from July to Labor Day weekend, but it was up in the New York mountains and nights got cold in August.

Waking up, bundled in sleeping bags and blankets, hoping you weren’t the first one awake so the fire would already be going.

Seeking out the smell of coffee, knowing that meant there would be water boiled for hot chocolate.

Hearing people singing off in the distance, children laughing as they ran up and down the field near our campsite.

Bacon would sizzle and pop outside the tents while my sister would knock on my tent pole.

“Time to wake up, sleepyhead.”

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Prompt: Write about fruit.

Prompt: What has been heavy on your heart lately?

Apples, oranges, raspberries, and blackberries.

That is all the current fruit in my house right now. Today.

Tomorrow there will be less of each. Come Friday there probably won’t be much left.

After Friday…

The government is closed. I’ve used all my EBT benefits to stock up on things to get us through as long as we can.

Fresh fruit won’t be on the list when the food starts to run out. Ramen. Spaghetti and PB & J will replace them as cheap alternatives.

I’m scared. For my family, for yours.

Elderly and children will starve. People will die. Children will be removed from their homes because their parents can’t provide for them.

We need help. We need change.

We need fruit.

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FAVORITE FOODS

Favorite foods?

There’s a meal I like with sour cream and soft shell.

Happy Tuesday! Tuesdays used to be the day to cook them and still is for some families.

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, beef, olive oil, tomato paste.

I love the real Mexican tacos or burritos. Taco Tuesday. Taco Friday.

Happy tacos. Happy burritos. Yay, yay, yes, yes!

CHOICE

There’s a Mark Twain quote that’s a reminder of self-reflection, thought, accountability, and self-examination.

Be accountable for your ups and downs in life.

You have a choice to make.

Up or down. :)

IN ONE YEAR

One year from now I hope to keep climbing the ladder of great life travel experiences.

Going places and doing things I’ve never done. Being able to do it with a smile or grin on the face.

Continuing to laugh expansively and abundantly with no apologizing. Growing and flowing joyfully.

Never being sad, ashamed, mad, or miserable for what the Most High grants you.

There are no limits with Him at all.

FUNNY WORDS

The word dongle makes me think of Goof Troop and Goofy and Max. Although its meaning is: a small device connected to and used with a laptop or computer.

Argle-bargle comes to my floozy. You can brouhaha your way out of my face Argle-bargle.

Why do these funny words make me think of Disney characters?

Still goofy I know. Don’t call on Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

Okay, have a great day.

PRINCIPLES

How do I fit into the problem or solution?

By doing the right thing.

Solution thinking and actions by building with my actions, goals, and behavior.

Having the intentions to solve the problems with solution based actions only.

FAVORITE MOVIE

My favorite movie of all time?

That’s a challenging one for real.

If I have to get spiritual and dig deep down then it’ll have to be based on nature, tribes, family together, with some animals in the wilderness. The principles and morality approved by my heavenly Father.

The only classic movie that comes to my mind is a movie by the name of the Lion King. Although there were some sad moments, it reminded me of Cain and Abel.

Mufasa was a godly man. His brother was the opposite.

Simba, the son of Mufasa, learned to be godly.

It reminded me of Bible history. I’ve had many deep dreams that are like a treasure for me, because I know God revealed it to me.

This dates back to the 90s.

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SUPERMAN

As a kid my cousin and I would always play Superman. We thought we were Superman.

He even went out to get a VHS Superman tape of himself. His father paid for it.

But he and I would go back and forth as Superman 1 and Superman 2. He would always get the edge because I’m 5’10” and he’s 6’6” tall.

It was hilarious looking back at it.

Could you imagine multiple Supermans fighting each other or arguing with each other?

That was my six-foot-six cousin and five-foot-ten I.

BASKETBALL

One day when I was a teenager, I was playing a game of basketball. Five on five.

I got picked up to play the game. No one expected me to do anything. But I already practiced and played a lot. Like a hidden gem, a secret talent.

So the guys were talking trash. Acting as if they were better than they were. I kept quiet.

The other team was winning. I decided to play real.

My team started to make a comeback. I was contributing to the team on defense. Steals and blocks!

Then all of a sudden I started making jump shots and lay-ups. My team won and I made the winning game jump shot. My teammates ran and jumped on me celebrating.

It was fun.

PRESENCE

What I brought with me today was the presence of my Father. I talked to Him this morning. I prayed to Him this morning.

I spoke life, protection, grace, mercy, and strength over myself. I reminded myself why my Father is so important.

The One that will never let you down or betray you. The Most High is always the most reliable Spirit and presence to all His children on earth.

He reminded me why I trust Him the most, over any and all humans.

COMMUNICATION

It bothers me when someone tries to be close to me or get close to me without communicating to me about it.

Expecting me to be the one to break my neck, or to keep calling, texting, or chasing you down.

It doesn’t make sense.

You have to communicate well to me if you want to build together, grow together, and experience vacations and fun together.

BIG RED

My favorite fruit on the planet is something red.

As a child I used to call it “big red.” Also “magic red” is something else I would call it.

It’s funny looking back at it. My relatives would be wondering what I was talking about.

“Red Magic.”

“Big Red.”

It’s juicy. Yummy to the taste buds. You could add it to a flavor of juice, squeezing the juice out.

It’s a strawberry. Strawberry, strawberry!

Yummy.

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GRATEFUL

I’ve been taking it one day at a time.

Being reminded to not take anything for granted. Thinking about youth. Thinking about skin. Thinking about bones. Thinking about body.

How to not take those things for granted.

Remembering that those things could be taken away.

Every day is a reminder of my Father above.

SWEETS

If I could bring back some people for dinner, it would be someone that means a lot to me.

Someone that brought me a lot of laughs and smiles. Someone that could cook, bake, and make juice.

She was my favorite. Also she rewarded good behavior by giving you something of your choosing.

Surprise! It is my grandmothers. Both of their nicknames were Joyce and Sweetcake.

Sweetcake was great at baking cakes, brownies, etc. Joyce was great at cooking and baking desserts.

They enjoyed doing it. It was a happy affair when they were around. The aura!

GRANDMA JOYCE

I miss my Grandma Joyce. Because she always carried a high encouraging rich energy.

She could see things that others couldn’t see. She would tell someone about what she saw about them to encourage them. She did the same thing to her grandchildren.

What a blessing she really was.

She was inspiring above and beyond.

She told me to keep my head up always.

ERROR JORDANS

I’m an A+ student so I would love to have a pair of Jordans. The guardian parent says “no.”

The student says, “Why not? I’m an A+ student.”

The guardian says, “Because we said so.”

The student decides to become a thief and tries to steal some Jordan shoes and Jordan material.

He’s caught by a guardian and told, “You are dumb.”

Stealing is dumb, not smart. Don’t be a criminal.

You want Jordans, work for it. Get a job.

HOPING FOR GOOD

What are some things I’m hopeful for?

I’m really hoping for peace, joy, happiness, abundance, and keeping my head up. With the fire and ability to stay encouraged and be inspired.

Not lacking in peace, joy, gladness, and abundance. It requires a lot of meditation and self-examination, meaning you’re going to have to be accountable for your actions.

At the end of the day can you look yourself in the mirror and be content with yourself? With a smile or content stare.

Hopefully you can.

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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.

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

Give

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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.

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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.