500 words
Last summer yeah write hosted a seven-week summer series of excellent writing instruction. . .with a radical 500-word limit on posts. I submitted a post each week; at first it felt like squeezing into pre-baby jeans or being interrupted when I wasn’t really done talking. But I quickly noticed an improvement in the quality of the grid overall, and in my own little stories as well. The summer series produced some of the strongest grids in yeah write’s history, and the editors think back on them fondly when we start dipping into the bathtub gin.
Back to the 500-word limit for our yeah write birthday season, we’re seeing some tight, wonderfully told stories. We know it’s hard, we know you have more to say, but we’re proud of you for cutting fearlessly and getting the fat trimmed off those stories. We have a lot to celebrate, but constant improvement in the quality of yeah write posts is the true life of this party.
Welcome, virgins and veterans
If you’ve written a non-fiction anecdote of 500 words or under and are not linking that post up anywhere else, the challenge grid is the place for you. Please bring a willingness to read and comment on up to forty-nine other non-double-linked yeah write posts. If you’re not sure what “a yeah write post” is, take some time to read our submission guidelines and FAQ. And some more time to come back and vote fairly for a crowd favorite on Thursday. If fiction is your thing this week, head over to the speakeasy and yeah write editors Stacie and Courtenay will take good care of you. Virgins, welcome! We’re glad to have you.
Invitational grid
If the challenge grid reaches thirty posts, the best posts with the most compelling so whats will be moved by the yeah write editors onto the invitational grid, from which a jury prize will be selected. Please consult this checklist for hints about what makes, or doesn’t make, an invitational-worthy post. Invitational grid posts also remain on the challenge grid.
“Best of yeah write” coming soon
The editors are combing through 100 weeks of challenge grids to come up with a “best of yeah write” grid from 2011-2013, and we will showcase the selections during #104 and #105. If you’ve ever won a lurker’s favorite, editor’s pick, crowd favorite or jury prize, start waiting anxiously by your mailbox. If you’ve made the “best of yeah write” grid, we’ll send you a “best of yeah write” badge to display on your blog and an invitation to stop by to read what the editors enjoyed about each of their selections. We can’t wait.
Happy 2nd birthday, yeah write! Birthday presents for you
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Although we won’t be officially two years old until next week’s yeah write #104, we started handing out birthday gifts during #100. Gave away two more during #101. Two more during #102! This week’s birthday gifts as we celebrate your writing, friendship and support:
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- the novel The Book Borrower by Alice Mattison donated by yeah write editor Stacie
- the non-fiction title The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson also donated by yeah write editor Stacie
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The random drawing is open to bloggers on either the challenge grid or over at the speakeasy AND the drawing is open to our readers and lurkers who send virgins to either grid this week. If you’re not on a grid this week, just let us know in the comments which new yeah write blogger belongs to you.
Odds, ends, reminders
- Your post can be no longer than 500 words
- Your post can be dated no earlier than March 31st, the day the yeah write #103 badges were officially posted
- The grid is open from Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. to Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
- It is limited to 50 bloggers
- Voting will take place all day Thursday from midnight to Friday at midnight
- The winners’ post will be published at noon on Friday
- Our new weekend moonshine grid will open Friday at 6 p.m. and close Monday by 12:01 a.m.
- No self-promotional posts are allowed on the yeah write grid, including those containing links to other blog events and Internet contests
- Combining your yeah write post with other blog events meant to maximize your exposure and minimize your effort is a no-no
Bring us your best stuff. Yeah write #103 is open. . .
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I’ve decided to once again try my luck at the challenge. Last time was my first! Feedback and constructive criticism always helpful, but be nice. I have a fragile ego. Thanks!!
Thanks for trying us again, Kate! We don’t leave feedback in comments during the yeah write challenge. It’s never a good idea to open up your hard work to the opinions of the entire Internet. Our readers come by, cheer you on for putting yourself out there. If you need constructive criticism, our editors can provide that for you privately through evaluations and whatnot.
But if you stick around and read our tips and keep an eye on the posts we choose each week as editors’ picks, you’ll get a good feel for our expectations. We give a pretty good workshop. Thanks so much for joining us!