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It’s your story

Welcome to the weekly nonfiction challenge at yeah write. If you’re new, please take off your coat, relax, walk around a bit — there’s a lot to explore. We’re pretty informal. We love to meet new writers. You’ll notice we say this is the place for “personal essays and mostly true stories.” It’s the “mostly true” part I want to chat about today. Pull up a chair.

Much of creative nonfiction writing is memoir—the big and small moments of life captured in prose. You may find, like I did, that you question the truth of what you are writing in a memoir piece. Did it really happen like you remember? Did your friend/partner really say that beautiful/terrible/ambivalent thing?

I’m here to tell you it doesn’t matter. It’s your story. The words you heard, the scenes you remember, the photographs you see in your head: they are all yours. Put them on the page. Your brother may recall your parents arguing in the bedroom, while you remember following them from room to room. You both agree on the premise (the argument) but differ on the details. Don’t let it stop you from writing. Write your truth.

Our memories become embellished, shape-shift, fade over time. This is especially important to remember if you’re diving into our nonfiction theme of the month: flashbacks. Read on below, explore this technique, stretch your imagination, and join us for this week’s challenge! We’re glad you’re here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Nonfiction theme of the month: flashback

What are we talking about? Rowan gives us the skinny on how to write flashbacks. Use it in your essay for this week’s challenge or don’t! This theme is totally optional. Either way though, be sure to read Rowan’s tips. She knows what she’s talking about.

This week’s ultimate question:

What are you singing?

This optional prompt, which also serves as the ultimate question for the microstory challenge opening Wednesday, is here to serve as your inspiration for your nonfiction submission. Already have your own story thought up? No problem! The prompt is only there if you need it.

Want more info?

Is this your first time here? Check out Sunday’s post which kicked off the week here at yeah write. If you don’t think you can remember to check back every Sunday, you can sign up for our email blasts directly to your inbox. Our email subscribers can also join us in the yeah write coffeehouse at its new home on Facebook.

If you’ve never taken the time to read them, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our submission guidelines. The rules are a little different for each of our challenges and we’d hate to have to send back great writing on a technicality.

Did you happen to end up here because you suddenly saw yeah write in your stats? Sometimes members of our community spot excellent writing and they send those posts on over to us. We hope you don’t mind. Take a look around and get to know our community. We’re sure you’ll be happy here.

Have questions you can’t find the answer to by poking around the site? Email us or find us on Facebook and Twitter and we’ll happily help you out.

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Submit to the yeah write #243 nonfiction challenge

The yeah write #243 weekly writing challenge is now open for nonfiction: personal essays, creative opinion, mostly true stories based on actual events. You can check out the submission guidelines and join us with your essay using the link below.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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