Did you find it okay? There was a twist then a turn then that hairpin curve, but we’re here all in one piece.
I explained a few basic reasons for the switch from lovelinks to yeah write in a previous post: the name of our writing community needs to be more inclusive and it needs to state upfront exactly what it is we’re doing around here. Did you know Martin Luther King Jr. gave more than a few speeches besides his iconic March on Washington sermon? There was one replayed on the radio years ago when I was on my way to school as a young girl in which MLK advised his audience never to settle for being the best woman doctor or the best black lawyer, but to continuously work toward being the best doctor or the best lawyer, regardless of label, gender or race. That’s stuck with me forever and it’s why you’ll never hear me identify myself as a black writer or a mom blogger even though I happen to be a writer who is black and who has a blog while taking care of a few kids. Superficial labels pigeonhole, divide and exclude: three things I would hate to see happen on any project with my name on it.
So the name lovelinks got the boot because it’s more than a linky, and the name might have been confusing and off-putting for curious writers and bloggers unfamiliar with our community. It’s still welcoming good blogging. It’s still loving on good writing. It’s still using Inlinkz. Dr. King loved him the graphic 5-column matrix, and so do I. If you don’t already have a kickass icon or thumbnail for your spot on the grid, start looking for one. Come voting time, you’ll be glad you did.
I made you guys some new super cool button badges and new winners buttons. Remember, they can be resized. They are ginormous on yeah write, so that way, if you make them smaller for your space, you won’t lose clarity. I like how some of you post them as is—ginormosity and all—because they are indeed that awesome.
(A few months ago, I didn’t even know how to make these things. Stasha at Northwest Mommy had to walk me through my first few tries, but I’m a pretty quick learner when death is on the line. Thanks, Stasha!)
Yeah write is on Twitter @yhwriteme. This week’s hashtag is #yeahwrite41. I’ll be following it if you have questions or issues. There is also a FAQ page for handy reference. Don’t forget there is a weekly mailer for you awesomites who must know exactly when yeah write opens for submissions and when voting has begun.
Yeah write #41 is open. It’ll close for submissions on Wednesday at 9 p.m. US eastern standard time [-5 GMT] or when we hit 50 bloggers, whichever comes first. Voting for your three favorites will start Wednesday at 9 p.m. and end Thursday at 9 p.m. EST. Winners announced on Friday.
Good writing, good blogging for everybody…
I think this was a great change! I love the new title and have to agree with Ado. Love links does kind of have the online dating kind of vibe, where Yeah write, is pretty darn awesome!
I love the new name – I had actually not visited your site because I thought lovelinks was a dating meme! Linking up for the first time today 🙂
Love the new name! It fits this site so well. Great job!
I’m here, you can’t lose me. I don’t remember how to change the size of the button.
Pretty awesome. I love the change in the name. And the buttons? Super cool. I just subscribed by email because I can’t ever remember when all the linkies and prompts for all the bloggy land that I visit. I’m excited to join more often! =)
Oh My God! I linked and tweeted before reading the change LOL
Anyhow. I have a little conflict with the idea of “Superficial labels pigeonhole, divide and exclude”. I’m not sure what entitles ‘superficial’ with the meaning behind. But, something I know by experience is that having things too broadly can cause chaos too. There are needs for specialities too. Perhaps that is not the vision or mission for your blog per se, but a niche specific sector is not bad either if that is what is intended.
And, I totally love the play with the word “yeah write”. So love it. I also love the graphic buttons – so good looking.
I’m so glad you changed it from lovelinks – you are right, yeah, write is WAY better and lovelinks kind of implied online dating or something so I for one am applauding the change.
It’s way better.
I loved the name lovelinks, but i get the reason why you changed it.
Hopefully I’ll be back in a week or two, To much stuff going on right now..
Have fun writing ya”ll
I love all references to bathtub gin! 😀 This looks wonderful. Will you never run out of fabulous ideas for sexy new linkys?
I love the new name.
Love the new name!
And here’s a linky to some Bathtub Gin …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjlzPNDH9Nc
@Eric, That’s exactly what I thought of when I read what Erica wrote. Similar minds…
Oh yeah, baby! This is my first time linking up. LOVE the new name and all it encompasses (like sarcasm and bathtub gin).
I love the new name! Definitely sums up what the community is here much better.
Whew. I made it. I got the mailer last night, and I was already in bed. I had to get up extra early to make sure I was one of the fifty. I like to yeah write. And bathtub gin.
I like it. A LOT. Go yeah write. Be back to read tomorrow ( later today right?!)
Yeah Write is a totally awesome name.How did I miss the post on it being switched from lovelinks??
Yipee, 50 linkups and a new button, this is going to be very exciting week! Thanks again Erica for all you do for us bloggers.