Giving Voice — Speak Up Writing Community — Prompts and Responses
Selections from last week's writing community gathering
At last week’s Speak Up Writing Community workshop, eighteen writers attended and wrote together. Approximately half of the writers were facing homelessness, the others are housed—many of those have never been homeless.
No one is asked to self-identify as homeless or not. We simply gather, enjoy coffee and donuts, and participate in the necessary human activity of writing and giving voice.
Each week there are three times of writing. Participants choose one or more prompts from a group of prompts and then write for 10-15 minutes. Those who wish to share may read their work aloud. We applaud after each reader. No one is ever required to share.
This weekly gathering creates community, friendship across demographic barriers, an opportunity for reflection and inner movement, and a range of other practical, personal, and community benefits.
From one attendee:
“I came to this workshop not really knowing what would happen. I can honestly say that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
From another:
“I always leave in a better mood than when I came. This helps me by giving me an outlet on numerous topics, the majority of which are not about homelessness, which I love.”
Here are prompts and several writings from the May 20, 2025 workshop.
Most of these prompts were written by the writers themselves.
Readers: please share your own responses in the comments!
—
, Executive DirectorPROMPTS
Writing 1
What’s your favorite meal of the day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Imagine you could eat that meal with any three people, living or deceased. What would you eat and who would you eat it with?
Write about the perfect pizza.
If you had to create a fragrance that reflects who you are, what would it smell like? What’s in it? What’s the name of this fragrance?
If you had to get a tattoo today, what would you get and why?
Writing 2 / movies edition
If your life was a movie: what’s the name of the movie? And which actor or actress would play you?
What is your go-to movie that you can watch over and over that makes you happy? Share all about it.
What’s your go-to movie when you need a good cry? Write about that.
What’s your favorite movie of all time? And/or the worst movie of all time? Why?
Book versus movie. Movie versus TV show. TV show versus Youtube. Fight!
Writing 3
What is one item on your bucket list? Describe and explain why you want to do it.
Write about getting distracted, sidetracked, or waylaid.
Write about _______ing alone. (Dancing, singing, sleeping, walking, etc.)
Finish this sentence: “My life is…”
WRITINGS
Fragrance / Movies / Distracted
If I could create a fragrance that reflects who I am, it would have a mixture of honeysuckle, blueberry, and raspberry aromas. And I would call it “Grandma’s Delight.” I have been reminiscing on the wild honeysuckle bushes as I pass them outside on my daily walks, and the other bushes of berries I pass. They just bring back memories… Read More
—
Bucket List / Fragrance
Spend a year traveling in Australia.
I’ve worked with Aussies on cruise ships and they have a welcoming and adventurous outlook. Diving. Sky and Scuba. I’ve done both. Sky diving: for the sheer adrenaline, view free fall and floating back to earth. Scuba Diving: for the experience of the Great Barrier Reef before it’s destroyed. Read More
— Tom Hildebrand
From My Bucket List
I would like to travel overseas and tell people’s stories to others.
What I mean by this is get good at actual photography, not cell phone photography. Go to various small towns in Europe, take photos of the people I meet and their towns, write an extensive journal on it all and eventually… Read More
— Michael Saintsing
Fragrance / Tattoo
This prompt speaks to me because I actually created a fragrance I love from various oils I have. It’s doesn’t have a name though…maybe I can call it “Undercover Hippie”? I start my scent by adding a small amount of oil mixed by a company named Zusa I found in Asheville… Read More
— Beth Wade
Join the Movement
Make a tax-deductible donation to support writing workshops that build community and give a voice.
Are you interested in joining or facilitating a writing workshop? We would love to connect. Send an email to start the conversation.