Writing Prompts

Writing 1

• Write about a beloved animal or pet, past or present.
• Describe the perfect day shared with friends.
• Favorite sights, smells, sounds in the outdoors.
• Reflect on the power of art and creativity.

Writing 2

• Write about social advocacy and positive change.
• Share hopeful reflections about the recent election results.
• Write about the little book boxes or blessing boxes that contain useful items for people in need.

Writing 3

• Write about something that means a lot to you.
• Make a gratitude list.
• Write about the value of nature and the importance caring for the environment.

Writing 4

• Serving others. Caring for those who are overlooked. Being cared for when you are in need.
• Write about the hope and heartache of change.
• Dear Marion…

Writing 1

• What makes a good breakfast?
• Write about friends and friendship.
• What's new from your last couple weeks? What has your attention?

Writing 2

• Write about a dream or desire that is not yet fulfilled.
• Politics. Power.
• Write a letter to something unusual—such as to a backpack, a bucket of ice, or an old bicycle. Or anything.

Writing 3

• What movie should everyone see? What book should everyone read? Share why.
• Write a story that starts with: "I had no idea…"
• Addictions. Habits. Compulsions. Write about these or anything related.

Writing 4

• Write a piece that begins with "Home is…" or "Homelessness is…"
• Write about being an outsider. Or being an insider.
• Write about double meanings, hidden messages, or backhanded compliments.

Writing 1

• What makes you feel alive?
• Do you like to go camping?
• Do you like to draw or write or sing or dance?

Writing 2

• If you could create a space for others to be refreshed, what things would you have in it?
• Which do you like better, a Jeep or a truck?
• Patience. Mercy. Long-suffering.

Writing 3

• If you can help people understand one word, what would it be?
• Write about power.
• Write about community.

Writing 4

• Imagine your life in 10 years. Dream into it. Write about it.
• What are you longing for?
• What do you believe? Write about that.

Writing 1

• Write about your favorite book.
• Imagine 10 years in the future. Write someone a letter telling them about your day.
• Write about reading. Are you a reader? Why or why not?

Writing 2

• Do you like Flora? It’s a coffee shop in Rock Hill.
• Write about an annoyance or inconvenience that you learned to appreciate.
• What was one of your favorite childhood experiences?

Writing 3

• Are you an early bird or a night owl? Or some other kind of sleep-related bird?
• What does the beginning of autumn make you think of or remember?
• If you could go on a 3 week fully funded trip, where would you go, who would you take, what “must have” items would you bring?

Writing 4

• Dogs. Write about them. Are you a fan? How do they compare to cats?
• Write about breakfast cereal. Favorite type?
• Write about poverty.

Writing 1

• Write about your worst driving experience.
• Write about five important things that you own. Describe their special use or meaning.
• If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick?

Writing 2

• Write about traveling to other nations and experiencing other cultures.
• Is there a country that you’d like to know more about or that has grabbed your heart?
• Write about languages. Do you speak more than one? Ever tried to learn?

Writing 3

• Write about reusing things that most people don’t reuse.
• Write about teachers—good teachers, bad teachers, anything at all.
• Write about having a voice, using your voice, speaking up, and being brave.

Writing 4

• Write a fun short story that involves a stay dog, a ladder, cupcakes, and a flat tire.
• Write about diversity.
• Write about community, friendship, meeting people.

Writing 1 — Culture Life

• Write about 90s TV shows.
• Why do people put pink flamingos in their yard?
• Write about singles.

Writing 2 — Love Sweet Love

• What is your love language? How do you show love to others?
• Write about your very first crush.
• Write a love letter or song to dessert. (e.g., “Ballad to Cherry Garcia Ice Cream.”)

Writing 3 — Solo Acts

• Write a jingle about your life.
• Write about your solution to the loneliness epidemic.
• Was there anything you learned from COVID?

Writing 4 — Ladies Rule!

• Write about strong female leaders.
• Tell us about one of your spectacular attributes.
• Starting with A to Z, list one thing for every letter you’re grateful for.

Writing 1

• Create a poem or song about the best or worst vegetable.
• An item from your childhood that would seem like an antique to kids today.
• If you had to get a tattoo today, what would you get and why?

Writing 2

• What would you choose between talking and listening?
• Write about guilty pleasures. Do you have one? What makes it guilty?
• There’s a storm coming. What do you do?

Writing 3

• Write about any of these normal human states: hungry, angry, lonely, tired.
• Write about ________ing alone. (Dancing, singing, sleeping, walking, etc.)
• What are cures for a broken heart?

Writing 4

• What was the best age you lived in your life? What was the worst age?
• What’s something that hurt you but ended up being a benefit?
• If you were granted one wish to make the world a better place, what would it be?

Writing 1

• Write about sunglasses inside.
• Write a fairy tale or about fairy tales.
• Gibberish.

Writing 2

• Something about your gender that you find frustrating.
• Attitude. Discipline.
• Zoning out. Good or bad?

Writing 3

• Write about this group.
• Happiness vs Peace.
• Write a stream of consciousness piece.

Writing 4

• What song is your soundtrack?
• A memory that you can’t forget.
• Write about sounding good, not stupid.

Writing 1

• Write about social media.
• Describe the best meal you’ve ever had. Or about the worst.
• Once upon a time…

Writing 2

• Doris.
• Write about bugs: catching them, eating them, smashing them, running from them, etc.
• Write about the princess and the pee.

Writing 3

• Write a piece in which every sentence begins with “Why…”
• Explain how it is that you are so darn fashionable!
• Write a love letter to libraries or bookstores.

Writing 4

• You live in a far away place. Where is it? Describe a day in that place…
• Write about being in prison: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually…
• I’m embarrassed by…

Writing 1

• The best kind of laughter is…
• Imagine and write about your perfect ________. (Day, meal, conversation, etc.)
• What’s on your mind this week?

Writing 2

• Write about helping. Either helping others or being helped yourself.
• Technology is… Social media is… (Finish the sentence.)
• You are an advice columnist. Someone writes in asking you for advice. What is their question? What is your reply?

Writing 3

• Write about “street smarts” versus “book smarts” — or any type of smarts.
• Write about getting out of a bad situation. Or about getting into bad situations.
• Write about gardening, growing, farming, or anything related to nature.

Writing 1

• Describe your perfect day.
• Write about baby steps versus huge leaps. Are they connected? Is one or the other better?
• Your life is a backpack full of stuff. Write about what’s in your backpack.

Writing 2

• Write about something you know to be true, but cannot prove.
• Write about secrets, conspiracies, or unsolved mysteries.
• The world would be a better place if…

Writing 3

• Write about habits good and bad. Reflect on habits in general or get personal and specific. What do you need to stop doing or start doing? What’s the first good step?
• Fuzzy things.
• Write about justice. Social justice. True and false justice. The Justice League.

Writing 1

• “I’m excited about…”
• Write about five things that you own. If applicable, explore their meaning to you beyond their practical use.
• Funny smells.
• Imagine what life would be like if you were alive 100 or 200 years ago. Write about your day. Describe the challenges and opportunities.

Writing 2

• Write about nature and the natural world. Write about trees, rocks, clouds, and water.
• Write about peace, presence, and noticing.
• Are you on a treadmill of hurry or in a river of urgency? Write about things that feel out of your control. Write about the past or future.

Writing 3

• Write about honor, respect, dignity.
• Write about being misunderstood. Or understood.
• Love.

Writing 1

• Write about old folks, old-timers, and being old. Or write about youth and the young.
• Start with this sentence: I don’t know about you, but I…
• Write about your favorite ________. (Color, song, food, person, book, anything.)

Writing 2

• Respond to this quote by Jim Elliot: “Wherever you are, be all there.”
• Light. Darkness.
• Is there something in your life that you need to release? It could be anything: an old pair of shoes, an idea or belief, a relationship, a habit. Maybe it is a bad thing, maybe it is a good thing. Now imagine you have released that thing. What would that be like?
• Home is… Homelessness is…

Writing 3

• Write about beauty.
• Write a letter to a five-year-old explaining something big and serious: like death or divorce or racism or religion.
• Write a versus piece — cats versus dogs, right versus wrong, coffee versus tea.

Writing 1

• Here are some additional prompts from this week’s writing groups.
• These prompts were suggested in real time by group attendees.
• Write about hoarding and hoarders.
• Write about your dreams.
• Fortitude. What does it mean to you?
• Write about hope.
• Write about poverty. Why does it exist? What’s behind it?
• Write about light and darkness in people.
• Confidence. What is confidence? Write about it.

Writing 1

• Today will be a great day if…
• Write about flavors.
• Write about less versus more.

Writing 2

• Think of all the personal technology in your life, such as computers, email, chat, social media, smartphones, apps, AI, instant news, online shopping, dating, everything. Write about the role and impact of these technologies in your life, relationships, and work.
• Consider this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh: “When you love someone, the best you can offer is your presence.”
• Where are you now? How did you get here? Where are you heading? Why?

Writing 3

• Write about hard conversations.
• Remember a time or instance when you were wrong—in your beliefs, ideas, approach, communication. Write about it.
• What’s cool?

Writing 1

• “I’m surprised by…”
• Write about education, teaching, school, or being a lifelong learner.
• Write about an invention or discovery that you appreciate.

Writing 2

• Write about climbing out of the pit.
• Write about optimism, hope, having faith, expecting better days, and seeing the glass half full. Or write about the complete opposite.
• Share about a goal you accomplished. Or about a goal you’d like to reach. Or about something you know you should do but aren’t taking steps toward—or about something you don’t want to do at all.

Writing 3

• Think of someone you respect who is different from you—in their belief, age, gender, ethnicity, politics, anything. Write about why you appreciate and respect them.
• Share your advice for dealing with disrespect from others in a healthy way.
• Write about family.

From the website

• Write about optimism, hope, faith, and seeing the glass half full. Or write about the complete opposite.

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 something you have never given up—an object, a belief, a perspective, a sense of yourself, etc—no matter what you’ve faced?
• Write about something that was once so important that you have now left behind.
• Is the glass half empty or half full? Or something else? Is there even a glass?

Writing 3

• What was something you thought was a setback (career, health, relationships, etc) that turned out to be an opportunity?
• You are a ________. Write about that. Explain it. What do you want people to know about this part of your identity, life, or experience?
• Think of someone whose beliefs, lifestyle, or values are different from yours. Write them a letter of gratitude.

From the website

• Write about something that was once so important but that you have now left behind.

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 spend it on experiences in a single day. Can’t give it away, buy products, or save it. Describe that day in detail.

Writing 2

• Write about a job (career) that you believe is THE BEST job ever.
• Write about an overused word in our culture today.

Writing 3

• Write about fair or unfair “generational group” stereotypes; i.e., Gen Z, Baby Boomers, Millennials, etc
• What type/characteristics/personalities are you drawn to and why?

Writing 4

• Write about an experience that softened you to other people and how.
• Think of someone who is or was in your life that you need to appreciate better. Write them a thank you note. Perhaps write to several people.

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 last cup of coffee to drink?

Writing 2

• Do you have favorite books on the craft of writing? Share about them.
• Write about pet peeves. Your pet peeves, other people’s pet peeves, or the whole concept in general.

Writing 3

• Pick an ordinary object. Such as a chair, a backpack, or a dollar. Describe life from its perspective.
• Today people are voting in South Carolina. Write about elections, politics, and voting.

Writing 4

• Start a piece with either “Homelessness is…” or “Home is…”
• Respond to this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

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.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write about the moon. Do you notice moon cycles? Full moons? Explore this.
• Describe a sound from your childhood. Where does it take you?

Writing 3

• Write about how to _____________.

Writing 4

• When do you feel most alive?
• Write about a meal that meant more than the food on the plate.

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 would you go?
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• What’s something you are good at? And would love to share with others?
• What do you love to celebrate? Describe how…

Writing 3

• Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a big ole ________. Write about it.

Writing 4

• Write about what your younger self would think if they could see what your current self is now.
• Write about if technology has truly advanced us or has set us back.

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 back?
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Think of something difficult or painful you’ve experienced—homelessness, sickness, mental illness, grief, addiction, etc—and write some jokes or funny anecdotes about it.
• Write about if your life was a movie right now, what genre would it be? (Comedy, Drama, Horror, etc.) Explain why and share some plot elements that match that genre.

Writing 3

• Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a big ole ________. Write about it.

Writing 4

• What would you do if the world took away music and art?
• Write about if you had a twin doppelganger whose personality was different from “your true self,” what would that doppelganger’s personality be like?

Writing 1

• I have a crazy story to tell…
• Write about siblings.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write about what the opposite version of yourself would be like.
• Should you really give someone the benefit of the doubt if it seems like they will let you down or have a history of letting you down?

Writing 3

• Pick a color. Write anything about that color.

Writing 4

• Even if your voice seems unheard or it won’t make a difference, is it still worth speaking out?
• When summer comes…

Writing 1

• Write about a meal that means something to you.
• Write about what the soundtrack of your life would be like, listing the songs you love.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• What’s a piece of advice you got that turned out to be wrong?
• What do “dreams” mean to you?

Writing 3

• Write about how to ______________.

Writing 4

• Write about what kept you moving at the lowest point in your life.
• Write about your mother.

Writing 1

• Write about any bucket list or life goals you have.
• What’s something small you do every morning that gets you started?
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write about the impression aliens would have about earth if they were to visit.
• Write about a sound you’d miss if it disappeared.

Writing 3

• Write about how to ______________.

Writing 4

• Give ’em hell, but keep it holy.
• Write about a door you’ve been meaning to open.

Writing 1

• Dear Mom…
• Write about bills.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Can you smell snow? Describe.
• New Year resolution or intention? What does that mean to you?

Writing 3

• Write about a/an ______________ moment in your life.

Writing 4

• Think of an early childhood memory. List the first five things about it that come to mind — visuals, smells, feelings, people, etc. Then begin writing.
• Write a poem about spring or seasons.

Writing 1

• How to decide pie or cake?
• What is your favorite or least favorite necessary daily hygiene routine? Explain why.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write a rhyming poem about falling—falling in love, falling off a log, falling for a trap, etc.
• What would be your conga line song? Explain why.

Writing 3

• What’s the deal with _________________?

Writing 4

• Random word pairing… how do they go together… teapot and thunder? Snowflakes and journal? Stardust and mirror?
• Write about “Stranger Things”… the show? Something in real life? Or something fictional?

Writing 1

• Write about favorite childhood books.
• What is your favorite or least favorite household chore? Explain why.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• If you gave yourself permission to DO NOTHING, what would you do? How does it feel?
• Everything was fine until it started talking…

Writing 3

• Write about how to ________.

Writing 4

• Simplicity vs Maximalism vs Minimalism vs Stuff. Expound and expand!
• Why do we exist?

Writing 1

• This morning you had a moment (put on socks, decided not to make breakfast, whatever) that was the center of your entire day. What would have happened if you hadn’t done that thing? What might your day look like because of that one tiny decision the other way?
• Peace or Piece? Which one resonates — write about it.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• What’s an issue you don’t understand as much as you want to and why do you want to understand it?

Writing 3

• Write about how to ________.

Writing 4

• What accent are you best at imitating? Tell us about it in that accent.
• You could punch mustard as long as you want, it would never touch a doorknob.

Writing 1

• What’s a long-distant memory that often returns? What can’t you stop thinking about?
• Are you speaking your authentic voice or echoing the voices of others? How do you know? What do you trust more: silence or explanation?
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Think of someone that you should have treated better. Write an apology to them.

Writing 3

• Write about _____________ using only questions.

Writing 4

• Write about ABRACADABRA… figuratively or literally… it means “I create as I speak.”
• What does this world look like in 25 years?

Writing 1

• Write about departures, farewells, and missing people.
• Do you like to cook? Write about cooking in your life.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• “They thought I was finished but then…” or “I thought I was finished but then…”
• What is something that happened to you that was not pleasant at the time, but now you can see it as a blessing in disguise?

Writing 3

• Explain why _________ isn’t that great.

Writing 4

• What moves you to tears? (It’s ok if the tears move while you share it.)
• You have a button that gives you a dollar whenever you push it. But it also makes someone somewhere in the world have a 15-minute panic attack. Write about it.

Writing 1

• Write about travel. Experiences. Dreams. Fears.
• Write a versus piece. This versus that. Hot vs cold. Etc.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write about something you don’t understand or have struggled to grasp.
• Think of someone you know who is different from you in many ways. Write about life from their perspective.

Writing 3

• Write a run-on sentence about the topic of: ______________.

Writing 4

• Write about breaking things, being broken, or brokenness. Consider this generally or get personal.
• Finish the sentence: “I’m afraid of…” or “I’m no longer afraid of…”

Writing 1

• Write about food, drink, or anything consumable.
• Why did the chicken cross the road? Write about chickens, roads, or crossings.
• Write about a topic that you have to write about.

Writing 2

• Write about a belief you used to have, but changed your mind about.
• February is Black History Month. Write about it.
• Continue your previous writing.

Writing 3

• Write a continuous run-on sentence about anything.

Writing 4

• Do you need to apologize, take ownership, or ask forgiveness?
• Start with this: “Homelessness is…” or “Home is…”
• Continue any of your previous writings.

Writing 1

• Jobs: what was the worst one you had? Or a favorite? Write anything.
• Valentine’s Day. What do you think about it? Love it? Dislike it?
• Write about a topic that you have to write about. It may be something that keeps coming up in your life, or an interest, hope, event, urgent issue, anything.

Writing 2

• What about fear—either generally or about fear in your life.
• What’s a gift—physical, spiritual, relational, etc.—that you’ve been given?
• Continue your previous writing.

Writing 3

• Write about guilt, shame, forgiveness, repentance. How do you navigate all this? Specific memories around this? People that come to mind?
• Imagine you have one year left to live. What do you want that year to look like?
• Continue either of your previous writings.

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?

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?

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?

Writing 1

• What are some things you do every day? Describe or explain them.
• Imagine you could time travel to any time and place. Write about it.

Writing 2

• Write about five things you own. Describe them. Show how they fit into your life.
• What advice would you give to your younger self?

Writing 3

• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood and how you handled it.
• Imagine you are something or someone different. Imagine life from that perspective. (Such as: a chair, a sumo wrestler, a nickel, an eagle, etc.)

Writing 1

• What’s on your mind? What are you coming in with?
• What is one of your regular habits or routines that is positive?
• Share about a movie, show, song, album, or book that you’ve enjoyed recently.

Writing 2

• Write about anything from the last four weeks.
• Sometimes everything just feels hard. Write about choosing to stay positive.
• Write about the cold. Or the heat.

Writing 3

• What’s on the horizon for you this year? What do you want to be on the horizon?
• Think of someone whose life has impacted you. Write them a thank you letter.
• What is something that other people really love but you’ve never understood the appeal? Write about that.

Writing 1

• Think of five things you own. Write about them.
• Write about family.
• Write about your favorite something. Such as your favorite color, sport, food, phrase, job, lyric, etc.

Writing 2

• Imagine five years into the future. Don’t limit your dreams. Write about your life. Perhaps: describe your average day.
• Finish the sentence: “Home is…” or “Homelessness is…”
• Write about funny words, such as dongle, flatulence, argle-bargle, floozy, or brouhaha.

Writing 1

• What did you bring with you today? Focus on one thing or many. Take this any direction you’d like: physical items, emotions, circumstances, baggage.
• A pet peeve. Something that bothers you. A recurring annoyance.
• Finish the sentence: “Home is…” or “Homelessness is…”
• Write prompts to submit for future writing workshops. (For next week or beyond.)

Writing 2

• Reflect on community. What is it? Write about community in your own life.
• Imagine and write a parody of a favorite movie or TV show.
• Write about all or any of the following: honor, curiosity, presence.

Writing 3

• Share about a place that has a strong meaning, history, or emotion for you.
• Describe a big problem facing culture or society. Imagine bold solutions. Where do you fit into the problem or solution? What is a first good step you can take?
• Write about funny words, such as dongle, argle-bargle, floozy, or brouhaha.

Other Prompts

• Finish the sentence: “I’m thankful…” or “I miss…”
• Write a “How To” article. Such as “How To Get Lost” or “How to Find Peace.”
• Write about guilty pleasures. What’s yours? Or just write about guilt. Or pleasure.
• My favorite ________ is….

Writing 1

• What do you love and/or hate about getting older?
• Choose a mundane task and write about it as a matter of life or death. Such as: ironing a shirt, grocery shopping, replacing a light bulb, making coffee…
• Did you have a great moment recently? Describe it. (Or write about a bad one…)

Writing 2

• Where is home for you?
• What epitaph would you like on your tombstone? Explain why.
• What about your favorite something. E.g., Color, sport, food, person, lyric, etc.

Writing 3

• Finish the sentence: One year from now, I…
• Respond to this quote by Mark Twain: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
• What are you dreading? Or— what are you looking forward to?

Writing 1

• What’s a fun memory?
• If your life was a movie, which actor/actress would you hire to play you?
• Who do you miss?

Writing 2

• You’re locked in a toy store overnight. What do you do?
• Should voting be mandatory in all elections? Why/not?
• Define what “cosplaying life”—not like at Halloween, or a Ren Faire, like when someone dresses as a character—means to you.

Writing 3

• Write a breakup letter to something you wish you could keep in your life. A tendency, an old sweater, whatever. But it isn’t working for you anymore.
• In what areas have you grown by attending this writing workshop?
• In what way might the upcoming holidays be challenging for you?

Writing 1

• What’s your favorite fruit? Write about fruit in general.
• You’re given a ticket for unlimited travel with all expenses paid for a month. Write about your journey.
• What has been heavy on your heart lately?

Writing 2

• “Better is an open rebuke than hidden love.” Respond…
• You’re going to have dinner with two people who have passed — famous or not. Who do you choose? Why? Write about your meal and conversation.

Writing 3

• Write about all or any: relationships, gifts, vision, hot drinks.
• Write about the difference (if any) between optimism and hope? What are some things you hope for? Write about it.

Writing 1

• What is your work? How does it make you feel? How do you do your job? Write all about it.
• You came in with a backpack—visible or invisible—loaded with stuff. What’s in it? What in there are you excited about? What would you like to leave behind?
• Continue this sentence: “I am…”

Writing 2

• What does it mean to be “abnormally normal” or “normally abnormal”?
• The fear of death. The fear of living.
• Write about peace. Social peace. Inner peace. Peace-ing out. And so on.

Writing 3

• Versions of this idea have been quoted by many people over the last 175 years, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barack Obama. What do you think about it? Agree? Disagree? It is: “The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.”
• Write about justice and freedom or about injustice and systems of oppression.
• Write a poem about all or any: autumn, Halloween, the changing seasons…

Writing 1

• What’s your favorite song(s) you could listen to over and over and still love it as if it was new? Write about it.
• What’s that chocolate doing?
• Big ideas. Little ideas.

Writing 2

• Write about playing games with people.
• The penny is going away. It’s obsolete. It costs the government more than two cents to make each one. Write about the penny or things becoming obsolete.
• It really annoys me when… OR: I really love it when…

Writing 3

• Write about all or any: hidden things, secrets, mysteries.
• Which food are you?
• Write about first impressions, falling in love at first sight, or judging a book by its cover.

Writing 1

• Pick someone not like you to have dinner with. Write about the evening.
• What are you looking for?
• When you were a kid, what was your favorite gift you ever got?

Writing 2

• What’s a limiting belief or lie that you’ve been agreeing with about yourself?
• Write about a time in your job, career, or role that brought you to tears.
• Write about ____________ing in your ______________.

Writing 3

• “What movie(s) or tv episode(s) have you watched so many times that you know every line by heart?”
• Write about gratitude. What are you thankful for?
• Think of something you’d like to release. Write about releasing that thing.

Writing 1

• What makes a good party? Write about it.
• Write about the music that gets you going.
• From the 90s (or the decade you turned 20), think about your hair, your clothes, style, music? Pick one—or all—and write about it.

Writing 2

• “In my time…”
• Write about success. Or write about failure.
• What did you do when something you believed in turned out to be not true?

Writing 3

• What is your most endearing trait? (Or what is your least endearing trait?)
• Write about change. Change within your life. Past changes, future changes. Change in your mind or heart. Change in the community, culture, country, anywhere.
• Write a poem about something weighty: like death, homelessness, injustice, etc.

Writing 1

• An item from your childhood that would seem like an antique to kids today.
• If you were granted one wish to make the world a better place, what would it be?
• Write about guilty pleasures. Do you have one? What makes it guilty?

Writing 2

• If you had a choice between talking and listening, which one would you choose and why? Write about it.
• You may know people who talk the talk but do not walk the walk. When you “talk the talk” but do not “walk the walk” what is it that you are talking about? Write about all that.
• Write about something that stinks.

Writing 3

• If you had a choice between listening and praying, which one would you choose and why? Write about it.
• Fruit.
• Write about words and language and slang. What’s a favorite phrase, zinger, or slang expression that you like to use? What’s a habit with words you’d like to leave behind? Take this any direction you’d like.

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 of your choosing.
• Write about distance.

Writing 1

• What is your favorite food to eat? Favorite food to cook?
• How can people be “up” for some things but “down” for the very same things? What are you “up” for or “down” for?
• Write about music as medicine.

Writing 2

• The audacity…
• What are cures for a broken heart?
• Why are we hard on ourselves at times?
• Do things happen because of fate or free will?

Writing 3

• In what area(s) have you grown by attending this writing workshop?
• Passports to where…
• How would it feel to quiet your mind? Describe…

Writing 1

• Write about the importance of family.
• What’s your favorite word? Why?
• Words Matter— What are some of your favorite words? Include the definition and why you like it.
• What does the word glimmer mean to you? Define and give example…

Writing 2

• Write about a time where you were afraid to do something brave. Did you do it? Do you wish you had?
• Why do rainy days get a bad rap?
• It would be really sublime if you could give us your best rhyme in this short amount of time
• What is one of the worst favorite outfits you ever wore? Describe it. Would you do it again?

Writing 3

• What were we thinking?
• What is the worst pickup line you have ever used? What is the worst pickup line used on you? Did either one work?
• In what area of your life are you most confident?
• Have you ever considered nature as a teacher? What could it mean? How might it reflect your current situation or circumstance?

Writing 1

• Is there a song that makes you happy and/or moves you to get up and dance whenever you hear it? Write about it. (Bonus: describe how you dance to it.)
• If there were one place in the world you could be right now, where would it? Describe it and explain why.

Writing 2

• What is something you own that whenever you see it or use it, it reminds you of someone? Write about that.
• Imagine you have to wear a T-shirt all day that said, “ROLE MODEL” on the front and back. What is one thing you frequently do for which you would not want to be known as a role model?

Writing 2

• Write about loneliness, anxiety, or stress. Or about any specific emotion.
• Write about good times, letting the good times roll, or Swiss Cake Rolls.

Writing 1

• The best kind of laughter is…
• Imagine and write about your perfect _______. (Day, meal, conversation, etc.)
• What’s on your mind this week?

Writing 2

• Write about helping. Either helping others or being helped yourself.
• Posting on social media is… (Finish the sentence.)
• List five things you own. Write about them. Describe their importance in your life.

Writing 3

• Write about “street smarts” versus “book smarts.”
• Write about getting out of a bad situation.
• What does “holy” mean to you?

Writing 1

• What’s one life event you’ve experienced that was so chaotic that it could be made into a book or a movie?
• How Many Doughnuts are on Your Plate?
• Old Macdonald! What was he thinking?

Writing 2

• Do you believe in soulmates? Write about your perspective and experience.
• If you could do anything with your life, what would that be? Explain.
• Lost and found.

Writing 3

• Write about changes. Good ones, bad ones, forced ones, etc.
• Write a “How To” article. Such as “How To Make Friends” or “How to Lose a Job.”
• Think of some heaviness or anxiety you are carrying right now. Write about that.

Writing 1

• Imagine we…
• List your top celebrities (up to 10) and list qualities you admire about each.
• Describe a place you’ve never been.

Writing 2

• Write about your earliest memory. Or about a vivid childhood memory.
• Write a letter to someone famous.
• Consider five important events in your life. Write about them in order of importance, explaining their weight and significance.

Writing 3

• You find a key that opens every door in the world. But you can only use it once. No one will know. Which door do you open and why? Write about what you would do with your free pass.
• Write about feeling betrayed or heartbroken by someone you considered close.
• What are your hopes for the next five years?

Writing 1

• Imagine you are the most/best/leading _______ in the world. What does your day look like?
• Write about things you recommend.
• If you could write a parody of a movie or a TV show that you have seen, what would it look like? Title, characters, plot twist, etc.

Writing 2

• For her…
• If you had an alter ego, what would he or she be like? Write about their personalities, their alternate lifestyles, etc. that would make them different from you.
• Write about faith. What is it? Do you have it?

Writing 3

• Write your life story from the perspective of your shoes.
• Write about the five most important events in your life.
• Write about your hopes. Past hopes. Future hopes. Hopes realized or not.

Writing 1

• What does coffee mean to you?
• Write about beekeeping.
• What is your hidden talent? How did you come by it? Describe it.

Writing 2

• What is your favorite quote from a movie or book? Write about it.
• Write about writing.
• If you were in charge of writing the news for a day, what kind of articles would you write? What would your headlines be?

Writing 3

• Write about a difficult or /painful experience that you can laugh about now.
• What is holding you back?
• What takes your breath away?

Writing 1

• What do you do when you are stressed—good or bad? What do you want to do?
• What are your thoughts on animals? Pets, wild animals, zoo animals, etc.
• “If I can dream…”

Writing 2

• Describe the culture of your home town.
• What is family? Write about your family.
• If you are to describe your identity, what would it be?

Writing 3

• What is a name that someone called you or thought of you that’s not true?
• Write about “making ends meet.” Or about economic justice.
• Write about goals. Did you have any for 2025? Or generally? Give an update. What about for the next month or half of year?

Writing 1

• What’s on your mind this week?
• Imagine you could time travel to any time and place. Write about it.
• Write about five things you own. Describe them. Show how they fit into your life.

Writing 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I Remember…”
• What are some things you do every day? Describe or explain them.
• What’s a piece of advice you’d like to give your younger self?

Writing 3

• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood and how you handled it.
• Write about a time you felt appreciated. Or about when you appreciated someone else.
• Write about getting out of a bad situation.

Writing 1

• What do you do when you are stressed—good or bad? What do you want to do?
• What are your thoughts on animals? Pets, wild animals, zoo animals, etc.
• “If I can dream…”

Writing 2

• Describe the culture of your home town.
• What is family? Write about your family.
• If you are to describe your identity, what would it be?

Writing 3

• What is a name that someone called you or thought of you that’s not true?
• Write about “making ends meet.” Or about economic justice.
• Write about goals. Did you have any for 2025? Or generally? Give an update. What about for the next month or half of year?

Writing 1

• If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?
• What advice would you give on how to be a good friend?
• What was your favorite class as a kid? Or which class did you hate the most? Explain why.

Writing 2

• What’s one thing you can’t live without?
• What’s something you’ve never given up—an object, a belief, a perspective, whatever—no matter what you’ve faced?
• Write about something that was once so important that you have now left behind.

Writing 3

• What was something you thought was a setback (career, health, relationships, etc) that turned out to be an opportunity?
• Is the glass half empty or half full? Or is it something else? Is there even a glass at all?
• You are a ___________. Write about that. Explain it.
• What do you want people to know about this part of your identity, life, or experience?

Writing 1

• Summer 2025…
• Write about having your cake and eating it too.
• What’s the worst job you ever had?

Writing 2

• What are three words that describe who you are? Expand.
• What is one small act of kindness you’ve witnessed or performed that had a surprisingly large impact?
• What’s a recent dream you had? How does it affect your real world experience?

Writing 3

• Respond to this idea: “Home is where the heart is.”
• Write about your friends. Or about friendship generally.
• What’s one thing you will never do again?

Writing 1

• What does the month of June mean to you?
• When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
• Birthdays.

Writing 2

• If heaven and hell exist, what words would you want to hear when you reach the gates of your eternal home?
• Is it easier to remember a truth or a lie?
• If you could create a new invention, what would it be? What would it do? What would be the name of it?

Writing 3

• The most recent thing you’ve purchased is the weapon you’ll use in battle. What are you fighting the enemy with? How would you attack them with it?
• Write about a piece of writing—book, article, etc—that changed your mind or shifted your perspective.
• Is there a specific person, type of person, or group of people that you would like to experience life in your shoes? Why them? Write about what that would be like.

Writing 1

• Do eggs go in potato salad? Do raisins? What should or shouldn’t go in potato salad?
• If you could pick to be a superhero and have their superpowers, who would you choose and why?
• What was your first job? Write about it.
• What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Writing 2

• You wish everyone knew this…
• What does equality mean to you?
• Write about blindness. Interpret this how you want.
• Write about a time you lost something, lost at something, or got lost.

Writing 3

• Invent a word. What does it mean? Tell a story that includes your word.
• What’s your favorite ________ ? (E.g., plant, furniture, name, clothing item, picture, etc)
• Write a message to people a hundred years in the future. Or write a message to people a hundred years ago.
• Write about a fix to any problem, wide-scale, everyday, complex, simple, important, or unimportant.

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…”

Writing 1

• If you could have anyone’s face(s) carved into Mount Rushmore, whose face(s) would it be and why?
• What would a perfect day be like for you?

Writing 2

• Have you ever eavesdropped in on a conversation that shocked you? What was it about?
• Is there a celebrity that you remind people of? Who is it and why?
• What advice would you give your younger self on the first day of: Junior high school? High school? College/Trade School? The day you moved out of the house?

Writing 3

• If I ruled the world…
• We all make mistakes. Sometimes we make them more than once. What are the top three mistakes you would share with someone you care about. Were any of these made more than once?
• Write about a time you could say “I was never the same after that day.”

Writing 1

• Imagine you are a character in a fairy tale. Who would you be? Why? Write a scene from that story.
• Share about your recent journey.
• What are you thankful for this week? Write about that. Or about gratitude.
• What is love? (Baby, don’t hurt me.)

Writing 2

• Where are you going next?
• Addiction. What are you addicted to? What were you addicted to? Do you want to quit? Write about it. Or maybe you don’t want to quit: write defiantly about that!
• What about road rage, old age, or being on a stage.
• Respond to this quote: “Sometimes you eat the bear. Sometimes the bear eats you.”

Writing 3

• Think of a place where you feel stuck. What if you have been totally wrong in your approach? Write as if you were to make completely opposite decisions.
• Imagine that all your secrets are suddenly and publicly revealed. What would life be like for you? Describe your next 24 hours.
• Write about faking it. Or write about making it. (Or both.)
• What are your thoughts on Humpty Dumpty?

Writing 1

• Topic: lost and found. Take this any direction that you want.
• Write about the last really great day you had.
• Write about berries.
• Fill in the blank.

Writing 2

• Write about a recent day from the perspective of an object you own. (E.g., your shoes or your backpack.)
• Imagine the President of the United States asks you for advice. What would he ask? What advice would you give?
• What’s the best way to help someone who is facing homelessness? (Make it personal to your situation, if you want.)
• Write about feeling strange, Stranger Things, or being estranged.

Writing 3

• If you could have a meal with any person from history, who would you choose? What would you eat? Write about it. Describe your conversation and all the details.
• Write a letter of gratitude to anyone or anything.
• What’s a real need you have right now—practically, spiritually, relationally, emotionally—that other people could help meet? Write about it.
• Pants.

Writing 1

• Write about your love / hate / ambivalent relationship with technology. (Such as about smartphones, AI, social media, the printing press, electricity…)
• Write about light.
• Write a versus piece. Cats versus dogs. Rock versus country. Good versus evil. Vanilla versus chocolate. Etcetera.

Writing 2

• Write about this writing workshop. (Doing this will help us grow, learn, invite others, etc.)
• What does this workshop mean to you?
• How does it help? Why does it work?
• What’s your advice about multiplying this into other communities?
• Alternately — what annoys or bothers you about the workshop, about Matt, or anything else at this moment?

Writing 3

• Begin a piece with one of the following: Homelessness is…
• Home is…
• I will…
• I should…

Writing 1

• What is your favorite of the five senses (touch, sight, sound, taste, smell)?
• Is the glass (your glass) half empty or half full?

Writing 2

• When did you last cry? Was it happy tears or sad tears? Write about it.
• If you could travel in time to the future, what would you tell your future self?

Writing 3

• If your life were a song/book/movie which one would it be? And which one would you want it to be?
• Write a “How To” article. Such as “How To Get Healthy” or “How to Get Unstuck.”

Writing 1

• Write about surprises.
• What’s your favorite musical, theater production, or live performance?
• What are you thankful for? Write about everything you can think of — or one or a few things you’d like to focus on.

Writing 2

• Are you facing a big decision right now? Write about it.
• Are you more comfortable doing something and staying busy or being still and relaxing? Explore that in writing.
• Write a series of sentences that begin with “Homelessness is…”

Writing 3

• Think of something you rely on or use daily—like electricity, shoes, your phone, a routine, etc.—write about what life would be like without that thing.
• Write about birthdays.
• Fast forward one year. Imagine you are thriving more than ever. Describe your life. What’s different? What’s the same?
• Write a proposal. For anything. To anyone.

Writing 1

• Today is April Fool’s Day. Write about pranks and practical jokes.
• Write about a sound you love to hear. Or about a sound you don’t like at all.
• Write about your ideal day. Or about a good day recently.

Writing 2

• What’s important to you?
• Think of a sadness or anxiety you are carrying right now that you’d like other people to know about. Share about that.
• Respond to this quote: “I was educated once — it took me years to get over it.” —Mark Twain
• What stinks?

Writing 3

• Write a “How To” article. Such as “How To Get Healthy” or “How to Get Unstuck.”
• How do you cope with failure?
• Have you ever been part of a joke or prank that turned out to be really embarrassing for you or someone else? Write about it.
• What makes you laugh?

Writing 1

• Write about rain, thunder, wind.
• Do you grow things? What do you grow? Write all about it.
• Plastic straws and plastic bags have been banned in some states. What are your thoughts about that?

Writing 2

• You’ve suddenly got a spellbound audience! Rant about something.
• If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be?
• How do you feel about insults and put-downs? Consider the old adage: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Agree? Disagree?

Writing 3

• Write about your morning routine. You probably have a morning routine whether it is intentional or not. Perhaps: write about your favorite morning beverage.
• Do you have friends from different generations? Write about that. Or write about friendship generally.
• Write about dealing with the pain of loss and regret.

Writing 1

• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
• Why did the chicken cross the road?
• There’s a storm coming. What do you do?

Writing 2

• You are a wiseman or wisewoman. What advice do you have?
• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood and how you handled it.
• What would you rather have: an assurance of freedom or safety?

Writing 3

• What was the best age you lived in your life? What was the worst age?
• Write about the first 24 hours—or the first week—of experiencing homelessness.
• What’s something that hurt you but ended up being a benefit?

Writing 1

• Write about sugar.
• What color are you right now? Write about that.
• What’s on your mind this morning? Or this week?
• Imagine you are a lonely pirate. Write about what you are looking for in a life partner.

Writing 2

• Write about anything from the last four weeks.
• Sometimes everything just feels hard. Write about choosing to stay positive.
• Write about the cold. Or about the heat.

Writing 3

• Write about when you moved away from home. Write about leaving things in general. Write about saying good-bye.
• Who let the dogs out? Should they have? Make your case.
• Write about a topic some people would prefer to avoid discussing, something risky like politics, relationships, religion, mental health, your parents, money, injustice, poverty, etc.

Writing 1

• What’s your favorite saying or phrase?
• What’s something that you do—or fail to do—that bothers other people in your life? Explore the topic.
• What would make tomorrow your best day of 2025 so far? Describe it in detail.

Writing 2

• Write your story of homelessness, starting with it: “It all began with…”
• Someone—perhaps many people—have hurt or injured you. Write one of them a letter. (It can be a letter of forgiveness, anger, exposure, anything.)
• What brings you joy in hard times?

Writing 3

• What’s the best way to help someone who is facing homelessness? (Make it personal, if you want.)
• Write about light or/and darkness.
• Write about your life, using the “second person” voice. (Second person is “You” — as if the reader is you. E.g., “You wake up. Your mouth tastes like sawdust. You stumble to the bathroom and avoid looking in the mirror.”)

Writing 1

• Have you ever eaten something people don’t normally eat—or shouldn’t eat? Write about it.
• Write about your favorite [something] — like animal, color, song, etc. Why do you like it?
• Write about shopping, buying, or owning things.

Writing 2

• If you had to do something fun with someone you didn’t really like, what would you do?
• Write about patriotism, national pride, or civic duty.
• Write about your worst day.

Writing 3

• Respond to this quote from President John F. Kennedy. Write about it in your own life. Agree? Disagree? “My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
• Have you witnessed injustice, oppression, or discrimination recently? Toward you? Or someone else?
• Pick and write about a funny word—like befuddle, flatulence, brainstorm, moist, lollygag, plop, earwax, etc.

Writing 1

• Favorite type of dessert?
• Why did the chicken cross the road? Also: write about the chicken, the road, or the crossing.
• Where are you going?

Writing 2

• Write about a belief you used to have, but changed your mind about.
• What is cool?
• February is Black History Month. Write about it.
• What’s better for you: TV, social media, or Youtube? Rank them from great to greatest. Share any thoughts you have.

Writing 3

• Do you need to apologize, take ownership of an error, or ask forgiveness from someone? Write about what that might look like.
• Respond to this quote: “I’d rather have sand in my undies than my undies in the sand.”
• Is there anything or anyone that you’d give your life to defend, preserve, or protect? Write about that.

Writing 1

• Write about the beverages in your life.
• Jobs: what was the worst one you had? Or a favorite? Write anything.
• Valentine’s Day. What do you think about it? Love it? Dislike it?

Writing 2

• What about fear—either generally or about fear in your life. Have you overcome a fear of something? Still dealing with it?
• Write about the legal system, courts, law enforcement, the scales of justice, etc.
• What’s a gift—physical, spiritual, relational, etc.—that you’ve been given?

Writing 3

• Write about guilt, shame, forgiveness, repentance. How do you navigate all this? Specific memories around this? People that come to mind?
• Imagine you have one year left to live. What do you want that year to look like?
• What’s a change you could make now that will have an immediately positive impact on your life?

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 a pet peeve. Or a pet that peed.

Writing 2

• Think about something you were sad to have lost, but now you are grateful it 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? Why or why not? Do you have anyone in mind that it would especially benefit?

Writing 1

• Write about one of the five senses in your life: taste, touch, sight, sound, smell.
• Write about food or a meal you’ve had in 2025—either good or bad.
• Do you have a hobby or something you find yourself drawn toward? Is there a hobby you’ve wanted to have? Write about it.

Writing 2

• Write about breaking things. Or about fixing things.
• Who do you love? Who loves you?
• Are you hurting right now? Are you recently healed from a hurt? Share about it.

Writing 3

• Write about hope: finding it, losing it, giving it.
• Is there something bothering you that you’ve been wanting to speak up about? Speak up about 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?

Writing 1

• What’s on your mind this week?
• Imagine you could time travel to any time and place. Write about it.
• Write about five things you own. Describe them. Show how they fit into your life.

Writing 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I Remember…”
• What are some things you do every day? Describe or explain them.
• What’s a piece of advice you’d like to give your younger self?

Writing 3

• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood and how you handled it.
• Write about a time you felt appreciated. Or about when you appreciated someone else.
• Write about getting out of a bad situation.

Writing 1

• Write about food, beverages, diets, meals, or anything consumable.
• What is one of your regular habits or routines that is positive?
• Share about a movie, show, song, album, or book that you’ve enjoyed recently.

Writing 2

• Write about anything from the last four weeks.
• Sometimes everything just feels hard. Write about choosing to stay positive.
• Write about the cold.

Writing 3

• What’s on the horizon for you this year? What do you want to be on the horizon?
• Think of someone whose life has impacted you. Write them a thank you letter.
• What’s something that you’ve never understood or just doesn’t make sense to you why other people like it. Write about that thing.

Writing 1

• Favorite thing to do in your life right now?
• A favorite meal, moment, or experience over the last year?
• You’re stranded on a desert island. What three things do you want to have?

Writing 2

• What has been the best surprise of 2024?
• How to ________ while homeless? (sleep, eat, love, thrive, have hope, etc)
• Start writing the story of your life. (Begin anywhere you want.)

Writing 3

• Look ahead. What’s a good habit you want to build? Or a bad one to break?
• Write about New Year’s Resolutions.
• Imagine your life is radically better in three months. What happened?

Writing 1

• Write about a sound you love to hear. Or about a sound you don’t like at all.
• Write about your ideal day. Or about a good day recently.
• What’s important to you?

Writing 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “Homelessness is…”
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I Remember…”
• Write about a time you felt appreciated.

Writing 3

• In just over a month, we’ll have a new-ish president. Write him a letter of advice.
• Write about a pet peeve.
• What is one good or kind thing you can do over the next week that might make someone else’s day or life better? Are you going to do that?

Writing 1

• Be opinionated: “Merry Christmas” vs “Happy Holidays” vs “Something Else”
• Think of something you know nothing about. Explain it to a child.
• What’s your favorite holiday ________ ? (Movie, book, food, tradition, song, etc)

Writing 2

• Write about being homeless at Christmas.
• Imagine that you could give one person any gift—without limitations. Who would you give it to? What would you give?

Writing 3

• Write about community—having it, not having it, what it means to you.
• Write a letter to someone telling them why they should donate to Speak Up. Consider making it personal to your experience with this workshop. …and then let Matt use that letter as part of a year-end fundraising campaign!
• We are less than one month away from 2025. It could be your best year ever! Write about why or how it will be your best year ever.

Writing 1

• Share about a favorite moment from the last week.
• Write about five things you own.
• Write about Thanksgiving from the perspective of the food.

Writing 2

• What are you thankful for?
• Write about something you once dreaded but now appreciate.
• Write “I remember…” and see where it leads.

Writing 3

• Write about homelessness and gratitude. Or about loss and pain and gratitude.
• Write a letter of advice to your older self.
• What’s something you want to do differently? Write about it. Imagine your life if you were to make that change.

Writing 1

• Write about food and eating over the holidays.
• What’s on your mind this week?
• Pretend you are an animal. Write an apology letter for that thing you did.

Writing 2

• Write about what you miss.
• Write about a former fear that no longer has power over you.
• What’s the best present you’ve been given? Share all about it.

Writing 3

• Write a letter of advice to a high school student.
• Write about this Dr. Suess quote: “You have to be a little crazy to do great things.”
• Create a new law.

Writing 1

• What’s going on in your life?
• What is a song or musician or album that you love? Explain why and write about their music or that song in your life.
• What color are you right now? Write about that.

Writing 2

• Write a letter of gratitude to a current or former attendee of this writing group.
• Write about the library. What it means to you, experiences at the library, its role in society, etc.

Writing 3

• Write about something dangerous that you should probably keep quiet about, like politics, relationships, religion, your parents, money, injustice…
• Write about a bad habit you want to break or a good habit you want to build.
• Write about being wrong.

Writing 1

• What are you thankful for?
• Write about your favorite ________. (Anything)

Writing 2

• Write about when you were really happy. Or when you will be really happy.
• There’s something you need to do differently. You know it. Write about this thing. Ask — do I really want to change?

Writing 3

• Think about something you’ve never done and have no experience with. Explain how to do that thing.

Writing 1

• Make a list of words related to your homeless experience or your journey. Add additional description or explanation to accompany each word.

Writing 2

• Write about “the in-between.”
• Write — “I wish you knew…”

Writing 3

• What’s a good question to ask someone who is homeless or has been homeless? (Now answer that question for yourself.)
• Write your homeless story — or any part of it.

Group 1

• What are you coming in with today?
• What are you thankful for?

Group 2

• Thousands of people just became homeless because of the destructive hurricane. Write them a letter of advice or encouragement.
• Write the story of your life.

Group 3

• If you could outlaw or ban one thing, what would it be and why?
• Write about selfies, smartphones, or social media.

Group 1

• Share about five things that you want people to know about you.
• Write about a favorite hobby or something that you enjoy doing.

Group 2

• “Homelessness is…”
• “I am…”

Group 3

• What is a big change you’d like to make that you could take steps toward this week. What’s stopping you?
• Write a thank you note to something unusual — like pain, loss, a bad hair day, anything…

Group 1

• If you were an animal, which would you be? Explain why. Write about your life as that animal.
• Write about your favorite something — taste, music, person, season, anything.

Group 2

• Write about a time when you bravely stood up for what was right—for yourself, someone else, or a just cause. Or write about a time when you didn’t stand up but wish you had.
• Think of a difficult time or painful trial you’ve experienced. What are the things you’ve learned or gained as a result?

Group 1

• Write about shopping, buying, or owning things.
• Gratitude. What are you thankful for recently? Or — where do you want to be grateful but find it is a struggle?

Group 2

• Imagine and write about the best version of your life five years from now.
• Think about some negative words someone has said about you. Write a letter to yourself—to tell yourself that you do not (or will not) give those words power over you any longer.

Group 1

• What are some things you do every day? Describe or explain them.
• Think about a time when you tried something new. Take us there.

Group 2

• Where do you go when you have no place to go?
• What would your perfect day look like?

Group 1

• Share about a favorite or recently enjoyed book, song, album, show, or movie.
• Think about your life right now. Where is your favorite place to be? Take us there.

Group 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “This writing group…”
• “How to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ While Homeless” (e.g., Stay Safe, Keep Hope, Eat Well)

Group 1

• Pick a color. Write about it. Does it have feeling? Personality? A smell?
• Describe a favorite meal, moment, or experience over the last year.
• Tell us about your last 24 hours. Lots of detail. Take us into your head.

Group 2

• Explain homelessness to a five year old.
• Write a thank you note to one of the following: sleep, laughter, exercise, ______.
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I am…”

Additional

• Pick a color. Write about it. Does it have a feeling? Personality? A smell?

Group 1

• Write about a memorable moment from the last month.
• Five things that you want people to know about you.
• Describe a smell that you love. What does it evoke for you?

Group 2

• Homelessness is…
• I remember…
• In one year, I…

Group 3

• Write about a need or problem in your community or city.
• Write about something in your life that you want to stop or eliminate.
• Write about what makes you happy. Or grieves you.

Group 4

• “How to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ While Homeless” (e.g., Stay Safe, Keep Hope, Eat Well)
• Your voice is powerful. Describe an idea you have for using your voice to change things or to shed light on a needed area.

Prompt 1

• Think about the last week. Write about the best conversation, meal, or experience.
• What are some things you do every day? Describe and explain them.

Prompt 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I remember…”
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I dream…”
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I am…”

Prompt 3

• Write about a time when you stood up for something you believed in.
• Write about a significant life lesson you’ve learned recently. What impact has it had on you?

Prompt 4

• Write a letter of gratitude. To anyone or anything.
• Write a letter expressing your dreams for the next week…or month…or year.

Prompt 1

• Think about the last month. Write about your favorite moment.
• Describe your ideal morning.

Prompt 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “Homelessness is…”
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I love…”

Prompt 3

• Write about a time that you were tempted to make a poor choice but you instead made a better choice.
• Write about a hardship you’ve experienced. What did you learn from it?

Prompt 4

• Write a love letter. To anyone or anything.
• Write a letter of apology. Or write a letter forgiving someone who hurt you.

Group 1

• Make a list of 5 to 10 things you use every day. Write a sentence or two describing or explaining each one and its place in your life.
• Think about your best moment over the last week. Describe it. What was happening? How did it make you feel? What were the sights, sounds, senses?

Group 2

• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “Homelessness is…”
• Write a sentence or series of sentences that begin with “I Remember…”

Group 3

• Share about a book or song or movie that fills you with hope or joy. Or about a book, movie, or song that makes you cry or breaks your heart.
• Write about a special moment that you shared with someone who is no longer in your life.

Group 4

• Imagine yourself ten years in the future. Write a letter of encouragement and advice—from the future self to you right now.
• Think of a radical change you want to make in your life. Write about it. Describe how your life would be different if you made this change. What is stopping you?

Group 1

• Describe an interesting person that you’ve met.
• Write about your favorite hobby.
• Write about a smell or scent that you love.

Group 2

• Describe a time when you felt truly appreciated.
• Describe a special moment you shared with a friend.

Group 3

• Write about a time when you felt misunderstood and how you handled it.
• Write about a time you felt appreciated.
• Write about a bad habit you’d like to stop — or a good habit you’d like to start.

Group 4

• Write a letter to your country that begins with “Dear America…”
• Write a letter of apology to someone. Or write a letter forgiving someone who has wronged you.