Yesterday I sat down with 15 other people—a group that is racially diverse, politically diverse, young and old, rich and poor—and wrote and shared about Charlie Kirk, our worldviews, and what it looks like to honor those who believe differently.
The community writing workshop model is simple:
For each group of prompts, pick one or more and write for 10 minutes.
Those who want can then read aloud to the group.
After each reader, we applaud. We don’t give feedback, debate, or challenge your writing. We affirm your creative act and the fact of your voice.
I believe that we can disagree sharply and still love one another. We can be in affectionate, supportive community while lining up on different sides of the political aisle. We occupy different media bubbles and be stuck in unbreakable algorithmic siloes and yet still show up to one another honor and curiosity and kindness.
It happens every week in the Speak Up writing community workshop. So no surprise that it happened again yesterday, despite challenging topics and a social climate laced with uncertainty.
We leaned toward one another, spoke truth as we saw it, shared freely and fully, and transcended our divides.
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Prompts for September 16, 2025
Writing 1
What are you excited about and looking forward to?
Write about buying or shopping.
This branch of the library is closing down for six months. What does that mean for you? For others?
Writing 2
Your worldview is how you see and understand the world. It is shaped by your interests, history, education, family, demographics, hurts, disappointments, and a million other data points. Write about worldview. Has yours ever changed dramatically? Are you aware of it?
Charlie Kirk.
Think of someone with beliefs or values that are sharply different from yours. Write them a letter of sincere gratitude.
Writing 3
Gratitude. What are you thankful for today?
Write a versus piece. Such as “walking versus running” or “sweet versus salty” or “morning versus evening” or anything versus anything of your choosing.
Write about distance.
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