Author: Matt Shaw

  • Next Week’s Writing Groups

    Next we’ll be meeting to write at the Mercantile in Rock Hill, SC.

    The group will gather on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for shared prompts, coffee, donuts, and creativity together.

    Things to Note:

    • The Matthews Library writing group is on pause. The meeting space is being used for early voting for the next couple weeks.
    • The Prayer Room workshop is on pause while we seek an alternate day.

    Thanks,

    Matt Shaw

  • Ruth

    Ruth

    A Personal Note About Ruth

    I’ve known Ruth for more than 14 years, ever since she first joined the Speak Up family to sell magazines and transform her trajectory amidst difficiult circumstances.

    She’s become a close friend and has been a source of great inspiration.

    It is an honor to still be journeying with her after all these years. I’ve watched her overcome so many challenges and endure through much hardship, and to do so with unwavering faith and grit.

    Matt & Ruth

    She’s an example to all that know her.

    Ruth has some ongoing monthly needs as well as some larger one-time purchase needs that we’d love your help with.

    Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions.

    Matt Shaw,
    Speak Up Executive Director

    mattshaw@speakupmag.org.

    Current Big Item Needs:

    • New Phone — $250
      • Hers is ancient. Need a modest upgrade so she can stay in touch and collect contactless payments.
    • New Glasses — $300
      • Essential. Being able to see is everything.

    Ongoing Monthly Need — $300

    Please consider becoming a financial partner on a recurring basis to help fill the gaps in areas like transportation, food, health, medication, supplies for her work, internet connectivity, etc.

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

  • Week of February 2, 2026

    Writing 1

    • Write about games. Do you like playing games? Don’t like playing games?
    • What’s your favorite—or most essential—piece of clothing?
    • Write about finding lost things.

    Writing 2

    • Think about something you were sad to have lost, but now you are grateful that lost thing is gone.
    • Have you ever been burned? (By the sun or a flame or a person.) Write about it.
    • If you could have any superpower, what would it be? How would you use it?

    Writing 3

    • Respond to this quote by George Bernard Shaw: “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.“
    • Are you intensely passionate about something? Is there something you could talk about for hours? Bring us into that world. 
    • Do you think it would be valuable for others to experience homelessness? Or generally life in your shoes? Why or why not? Do you have anyone in mind that it would especially benefit?

  • Week of January 19th, 2026

    Writing 1

    • Write about one of the five senses in your life: taste, touch, sight, sound, smell.
    • Do you have a hobby or something you find yourself drawn toward? Is there a hobby you’ve wanted to have? Write about it.
    • Write about a pet peeve or something that annoys you. Consider writing a letter directly to that annoyance. 

    Writing 2

    • Write about breaking things. Or about fixing things.
    • Who do you love? Who loves you?

    Writing 3

    • Write about hope: finding it, losing it, giving it.
    • Write about something in your city or region that is unjust or needs to be corrected. Describe the problem. Suggest how to fix it. What part might you play?
  • Rock Hill Library (Resumes Soon)

    Rock Hill Library (Resumes Soon)

    The library is currently closed for repairs.

    We look forward to starting back up once it reopens.

  • What’s New

    What’s New

    After a holiday break, we’re back on a regular schedule of Speak Up writing groups.

    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

  • Perceptive Pets

    Perceptive Pets

    By Noel

    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.

  • The Next Writing Group

    The Next Writing Group

    Start a Writing Community.

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

    Here’s what partnership looks like to us.

    Reach out. Let’s talk.

    Go back

    Your message has been sent

  • Matthews Library

    Matthews Library

    Date and Time

    Currently Paused.

    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.

  • Prayer Room Writing Group

    Prayer Room Writing Group

    Date and Time

    Currently paused.

    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