Matt Shaw
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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…
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Books and Life as Art Writing Prompts
Writing 1 What’s the last book you read? Would you recommend? What is something you have always wanted to do or try? What holds you…