Writing Communities
that build bridges, connect the disconnected, and bring people together across divisions of culture, demographics, housing status.
Gather
Get together weekly in public spaces. Free. Everyone welcome.
Good coffee!
Write
Write together from shared prompts. Pens and notebooks provided.
Pause and breathe.
Share
Optionally: read aloud to the group. We respond with applause.
No feedback.
Blog
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Three One Five Writing Prompts
Writing 1 A genie grants you three wishes. Write what happens next. “I can’t live without…” Write about five things you own. Writing 2 What’s…
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Mission, Values, Practices, and Distinctives of Speak Up Writing Communities
What is a Speak Up Writing Community? A group of people who gather in person, write together, and read their work to one another, honoring…
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Best Resources on the Creative Act?
“What books do you recommend on writing and creativity?” That’s a question that often comes my way. Speak Up writing groups connect people across divides…
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Timeless Treasure Trove
We are sitting on a gold mine. For a decade, Speak Up published a printed magazine that gave voice to people facing homelessness. That means…
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Types and Gaps Writing Prompts
Writing 1 If your pet could talk, what would be the first thing you would say to each other? You’re given $25,000 and have to…
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A Speak Up Lightning Bolt
A lightning bolt of revelation hit me several months into our first weekly writing group. At the time, we had launched a series of writing…
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Coffee is Good, Part 31 Writing Prompts
Writing 1 Write about animals. Do you have a favorite? How would you respond if society were about to end and you had only one…
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Community is Everything
Recently I had lunch with an old friend who I’ve known since 2012. We first connected three months after Speak Up launched. Back then she…
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Crunch and Munch Writing Prompts
Writing 1 Write a versus piece. Such as vanilla versus chocolate, mountains versus ocean, or tea versus coffee. Compare anything. Write a poem about popcorn.…
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Sweet Comparisons Writing Prompts
Writing 1 Which is better: chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal raisin cookies? If you could be a bird for a day, what kind and where…