[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Welcome to who’s on fourth where we interview one member of the yeah write community and the interview will publish the fourth Monday of each month. Next in the series features Arden Ruth interviewing Stacie of Snapshots & Tidbits.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]
yeah write on yeah write: Arden interviews Stacie
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Back in the early days of yeah write, there was only one grid that housed both nonfiction and fiction. Stacie joined as a participant in 2012, and she quickly found a home here. Lucky for us, it was an easy yes when we asked her to come on board.
My first submission received a love letter. I am very stubborn. Rather than being upset, I wanted to learn how to play this game, to write better stories. I was hooked. A couple of months later, a fiction|poetry grid was added and the original grid became dedicated to nonfiction only. I used to post on both grids every week and was asked to help run the fiction grid a few months after it opened. By that time, I felt so entrenched in the community and so thrilled with the new friends I’d made that it was a no-brainer to step behind the scenes and help with the community that had already given me so much.
In my time here at yeah write, I’ve seen Stacie on all four grids we have throughout the week so it’s hard for her to pick just one as her favorite.
As a participant, I love all the grids. Nonfiction is what I tend to do when prompts are less structured. Not everyone was a fan, but I loved the mandatory sentence prompts on fiction back in the day. I also really have fun with the poetry slams. I liked the question prompts on micro, although I think writing a really good microstory is very difficult.
As always I wanted to know what advice Stacie would give to our community. First, what would she say to any lurkers or virgins out there who are waiting on that little bit of confidence to dive onto the grids?
Don’t be intimidated; jump right in! Everyone is really nice and, even if you don’t do well in the vote, it’s okay. Most of us have been there, and you will improve over time. If you don’t try, you won’t learn.
What about to those who participate regularly but who tend to be stuck in the middle or toward the bottom week after week?
I can relate to this because I have been through it myself. In fact, I still sometimes do poorly. I am definitely not one of those writers who always hangs out in the top, even though I have managed to win at times. Finding someone who is willing to give you constructive criticism is the best way to learn. You can ask for a writing buddy in the coffeehouse or purchase a yeah write membership that will give you a set number of pre-reviews as perks. Alternatively, there are classes you can take. Most importantly, keep trying!
Speaking of constructive criticism, that can always be difficult to take. I go through about 16 different emotions before coming through the other side and realizing it’s absolutely correct. The best advice is not to take it personally, and Stacie agrees.
Try to remember it’s not in any way criticizing you as a person. When you receive constructive criticism here at yeah write, we are giving you that feedback because we truly want to help you improve the piece you wrote and by extension your writing in general. Even the best writers continually strive to be better.
As for her blog, Snapshots & Tidbits, Stacie admits it’s been a little neglected in recent months, though she plans to remedy that in 2017! I’ve also heard plans of a novel in the works which I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Currently, my goal for my blog is to start writing again. I’ve been very distracted by politics and haven’t even managed to blog about Stitch Fix, much less write for yeah write. I’d like to start again. Behind the scenes, I have an idea for a novel (don’t we all!) but have yet to start it.
When Stacie isn’t writing, you can find her doing any number of things. Between hiking with her dogs, reading, keeping her family in order, and yelling on Facebook, it’s a miracle she found the time to sit down for this interview![/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Thank you Stacie for letting our community get to know you a little better. We could not keep this place running without you! #winebuds4life
Make sure you follow Stacie’s blog, Snapshots & Tidbits. You can also follow her on Facebook & Twitter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”22648″ alignment=”right”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Oh, you want more? Well here are five things you never knew about Stacie:
- She has been a birdwatcher since she was a kid.
- She hates ketchup and pumpkin pie and always has.
- She loves wine and plans to retire in California wine country.
- She loves technology but still prefers real books over e-readers.
- She’s addicted to the New York Times KENKEN puzzles and always finishes them.
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Are you ready for the yeah write #298 weekly writing challenges opening this week? We hope so! Your badges await in the sidebar. Grab the code, paste into the text or HTML view of your post, then submit your post to the grids for a little friendly competition. We’re glad you’re here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
