For those of you who were here with us the entire summer: are you ready for some football?
Oh, wait. Wrong tagline. Right sentiment.
For those of you returning after a summer hiatus: how dare you put family and vacations and various projects ahead of yeah write? This should be the most important thing to you ever, Saint-Tropez included. Is Saint-Tropez still a thing for rich people? I wouldn’t know.
And for those of you stopping by for the very first time: welcome, welcome! Feel free to jump right into the fray by reading the FAQ if you haven’t already and by checking out the blogger’s guide to writing a yeah write post. I promise no one will bite but me.
Quick review of the yeah write summer writer’s series
We covered a lot of ground while many of you were busy doing other things:
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- how to find the point of your post, your “so what”
- the best way to become a better writer
- creating and using photos for your blog posts
- how to cut away things unnecessary to your posts
- becoming a more critical reader
- Google’s Blogspot is da debil
- finding your authentic voice
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Visit those posts when you get the chance, maybe sometime before your Saint-Tropez glow wears off and you’re back to your usual grumpy writer’s self.
No more hidden badges
Finding the badges you’ll need for your yeah write submission is easier than ever: look over in the sidebar toward the middle of the page. Look down a little. You just found them. Grab the code for the grid you’re joining and paste that code into the HTML view of the post you’re submitting this week. Save and/or publish your post. You post should be badged and ready to link to either grid. Whew.
The hangout grid is now the speakeasy
The yeah write #71 challenge grid is open with two major changes since June: the submissions are now being moderated, so hang tough while you wait for your post to appear on the grid. Secondly, you can now submit to both the challenge grid and the hangout grid (now called the speakeasy, over at Flood G’s place). Be kind to your servers and tip them well. Then we’ll see you back over here in time to read and vote for your favorites.
¿Una $100 Amazon gift card por me? ¡No, por tú!
Don’t forget: when we get back to full speed at 50 published submissions on the challenge grid, we will kick off a four-week, cumulative point writing challenge to earn one participating blogger a $100 Amazon gift card donated by one of our yeah write supporters. If you know of any writers who blog or bloggers who write, ask them to subscribe to our weekly email blast. How quickly we get back to 50 solid entries and start the challenge is totally up to you. You know what else is awesome? Writing a little invitation blurb at the end of your posts each week. Or writing posts like this one. Or this one. Show your readers our cuddly side.
Tell the truth: each week, the yeah write editors pick their favorites from an empty shot glass
What is this thing of which you speak: an empty shot glass? No such concept around these parts.
Would it help before you start writing for yeah write #71 if you knew the judging criteria? Download this spreadsheet. It contains everything we are looking for as challenge judges and everything your fellow readers and voters should be expecting from your entry.
1,000 word limit, good people
Use the provided prompts or don’t. Rhyme or don’t rhyme. Illustrate your story or use your words. Either way, it’s a 1,000 word limit, no grace, hard count. I think Bill Withers wrote a song about it and everything.
Have a wonderful yeah write week on the grid. Any questions or concerns or technical issues, leave them in comments and an editor will answer you.
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- Do not mention anywhere in your post, either as intro or footnote, that you are writing to a prompt.
- We want the story the furthest away in your imagination from the original prompt. Let your imagination loose.
- Keep your writing style! Do you tell stories with humor? Prose? Verse? Photos? Illustrations? Keep doing that.
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word prompt
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photo prompt
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color prompt
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I’ve been absent all summer but I did not forget all you wonderful writers! (No, I did not go to Hawaii> Maybe in the next life). Anyway, looking forward to submitting a 1000 words or less blog post piece of fantasmical writing.(No, I haven’t had three glasses of wine, not yet…)
Can you link up different pieces to the speakeasy and challenge? I’m sure it was said, I just can’t find it.
Love the Speakeasy logo and badge. Ellen
So glad that the crew is back. With only 6 weeks left until Little Dude #2 arrives, I’ve been a little hectic. Nice to reconnect after a little break.
Question: Since we can now submit posts to both Speakeasy and Challenge, can I submit the post I used last week to Hangout for Challenge this week (after a few edits for size)? Was out of town last week and couldn’t challenge, but really like that post.
There’s been a bit of a tweak that makes sense: to better ensure we get posts written only for the challenge grid (and not linked to 100 other places), the date of your challenge post must now be no earlier than the Sunday when the current challenge prompts are released. The speakeasy guidelines are a little more relaxed, so maybe you can link it again there since more readers are hanging out over there this week. Yay Little Dude #2!
Makes sense. Nothing but the freshest stuff.
Now I have that cat food commercial in my head. You remember that one? “Fresh!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e21b8H7z70
I am so excited to be on the challenge grid this week, and somewhat shocked that my latest post was actually under 1000 words! it’s been a long time! I’ve been reading some of the other posts and they’re fantastic, I’m so happy to be finding new blogs to follow, best part of yeah write, hands down! 🙂
did i once again not submit properly?? this is getting embarrassing.
I can’t understand where you’re going wrong. Is the badge installed? Are you clicking the blue button underneath the thumbnail grid? You’re not in the moderation queue, yet.
Argh… it’s been a crap few days, but I will try to get in on this new hotness action. I have a perfect attendance reputation to uphold, you know?!
Hey friends, I’m not participating this week! I need a break; the voting makes me a parnoid wreck. But I am reading, commenting, and supporting all you wonderful writers. From what I’ve read so far, the Yeah Write Grid has reached a level of professionalism that is so impressive. Such great writing, each with their own style. I’m enjoying being an observer this week!
Can’t wait to read some more entries and to vote!
🙂
Is it just me or does my smiley face look evil. It feels like it’s plotting something… It’s the eyebrows… The eyebrows look like its frowning.
I haven’t been by all summer, and I miss you!! Linking up with a less than literary installment about scrubbing toilets. <3
Hi Everyone!
Nice to meet you all! I’m new here, submitted for the first time. This seems like a great group, really excited to be a part of it 🙂
Dude! I’m under 200 words. But I can’t link up. Says it needs author’s approval. Did I do something wrong?
I think Erica is now moderating the grid! If it went through, she’ll read the post and go from there!
So much has changed. So very, very much. I feel a bit lost and titillated all at once.
Game on! Afraid I’m gonna miss the 500 word limit!
I clocked in at 548 …
I think I was 570. It felt so naughty to go over 500.
The limit is 1000, but I am fresh off the summer series where I spent HOURS trying to meet the 500-word limit. So, you are right! No fear. I just don’t adjust quickly to limits.
You kept it to 500 words? Go you! That’s fantastic.
I just barely made the 1k limit! My hot air-like writing expands to fill all available space. I can’t stop myself. Wordy McWorderson.
Me too!!!
500? I thought it said 1,000?!?! Either way, I’m sure I screwed up some how.
It is 1000 right now. Back in summer it was 500
I clocked in at 1,001.
And Erica still gave me a hall pass.
But I’m in detention.
1,001 words for me is basically a Tweet.
I just can’t shut up.
And I cut out 648 words to get to 1,001.
See even this comment is dragging on.
I’ll stop now.
Really.
Stopping.
Now.
Ixnay on the allhay asspay.
I’m so excited to be back on the grid! How y’all doin’?
Mmmmm. My late-night husband-linker used a super blurry picture of me. Must write him up or something.
Unbelievable. Who does he think he is, anyway?
Psst neat drawing at the top! 😛
Did you make that??? 🙂
Heheh yup! I’m honored its being used this week!
me likey!!!
It is my way of saying “welcome back” and “yay, I knew Gia would be first!”
“I think Bill Withers wrote a song about it and everything.” Genius!
This has got to be the most awesome-sauce bundle of fun and metaphors I’ve read in one post. I’m so happy to be back from my business trip, squarely in detox, and ready to get back in the game. Thank you, friends!
Yay! Melisa’s back!
woohoo, hey Melisa! Welcome back!
I started to streamline the metaphors, but I was having so much fun, I decided to see how many I could mix up. I promise more discipline next time. Welcome back.
Thanks for the shoutout! Not sure if I’ll get anything in by the deadline this week, but I’ll be here next week for sure and with bells on!