Grab your badge
Have you called a Mother in your life? Once you’ve done that, grab your badge on the right side of this page. Keep in mind that today is the earliest your yeah write #109 weekly writing challenge grid post can be dated. Are you a virgin, ready to jump in with both feet? Email us if you run into trouble and let us know which step is confounding you.
Challenge v. speakeasy
The grids open Tuesday and we’re looking forward to your traditional blog anecdotes and life-stories that rip our hearts out and make us say, “Aha!” Submit your fiction and poetry over at the speakeasy, where your first line is written for you – thanks to last week’s winner, Maggie. There’s also an image prompt to get your creative juices flowing. Not in the mood for creative fiction and poetry this week? No worries, but still visit and vote on the eclectic collection of poetry and fiction on Thursday.
600-word limit
We know our grids shine at their best when individual entries are limited 500 words. Our writers are better, our readers are happier, our voters are more efficient and more likely to use all five of their votes. So from here on out, we are going forward with a 600-word limit—that’s 500 words plus grace. Use that grace for a brief intro or a small footnote, if you like, but try to stick closer to 500 words when you can. We’re not trying to limit your creativity; we just know you can keep it tight and hold your readers’ attention. You’ve got six days of the week to write as long as you like. Give us this one day.
The yeah write way
Yes, it is open submissions at the challenge grid, but editors are still monitoring posts. If yours is returned to you this week, it’s not a comment on your writing, but a reflection of the yeah write guidelines. For more information, or a refresher, visit how yeah write works. We’re always looking for a so what – and we love character development. We want you on the grids showing your very best revision of your very best.
We offer quick editor previews of your challenge grid post each week
Did you know that? If you are a yeah write supporting subscriber, you can email us your planned submission before the grid opens on Tuesdays, and one of us will read it and offer quick edits and suggestions on structure and tone, giving you a better chance in that week’s challenge. We don’t rewrite it, we don’t change your voice or your intent. It’s called a quick and dirty, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of it as many times as your subscription level allows. We will tidy you up.
As you start your winning submission
Choose your topic wisely. Start with and answer to “What is my so what?” and move forward from that. Your year write editors look forward to being moved by trauma, amused by unintentionally awkward hazards, sighing deeply at family drama, and welling up with tears brought on by anecdotes that reflect life lessons. Let your strengths guide you—choose any topic—(how many motherly posts will we get this week?), and let it reflect you. As you re-write your drafts, make sure to craft a tightly written introduction, a well-defined story line, and a clear so what? by the end. Our regulars know that writing well about everyday life is the challenge of the challenge grid.
Cut out the fluff, read your post aloud, and make sure to triple-check for grammar and spelling, especially if you want to swing over to the invitational grid. It’s possible that it’s just not your week – or maybe you just need a snack before trying again. Recruit your favorite writers around the Interwebs…it’s so much more fun with an invitational grid! We only run those when we hit 30 or more posts on the challenge grid. Bring us your best stuff when you know it’s gonna be the best on the grid.
Weekend moonshine grid
For those of you who don’t fancy yourself storytellers, but who still love the community spirit found here at yeah write more than any other place you’ve been, we have the yeah write moonshine grid on the weekends, just for you. Starting at 6 p.m. eastern time on Fridays and closing by 12:01 a.m. on Mondays, the moonshine grid will be here for you to hang out, find some new-to-you-blogs and write without the anxiety of being judged, evaluated and voted on by the yeah write editors. Unlimited space, unlimited joy. Still no promotional or commercial posts.
It’s open for the rest of the day. Link it up!
Read well, write well, rewrite often
Yeah write #109 weekly writing challenge grid opens Tuesday. Until then, dearies!
