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Ready, set, go!

One year ago, um, yesterday, those were the first words of the first post in the first-ever gargleblaster microstories challenge. We’re gearing up for some great birthday goodies on all the grids next week as we celebrate the 208th consecutive week of yeah write…but this week? This is our week, microstories writers.

It’s been a great first year. We’ve had stories, poetry, and even hitchhikers. I can’t tell you how happy and grateful I am to have been able to welcome you all back to this little corner of the web every week.

As my present to you all on our birthday, you’re getting an unmoderated grid. That’s right–as long as you adhere to the bare minimum rules (42 words, no footnotes, no ultimate question anywhere in your post) you’ll move on to the voting grid. As your present to me, do better than the bare minimum.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

Answer the ultimate question in exactly 42 words:

Oh look. I didn’t put the ultimate question in the header. Guess that means you’ll be reading this part of the post, huh?

This week’s question is a hard one. So hard that it took two supercomputers to process it, one for the answer, and one for the question. You already know the answer, it’s the 42 words you have to post. So here’s the question: what do you get when you multiply six by nine?

Because this isn’t just any question, you don’t have to answer it directly this week. You should reference six of something, nine of something else, and mathematics in your post, that’s all. A quick reminder for word count: “432” is one word, but “four hundred thirty two” is four words.

A few other reminders:

PROOFREAD. Nothing is easier, and nothing will get you bumped from the voting grid faster than typos, spelling or punctuation mistakes, or grammatical errors. You’ve only got 42 words; mistakes stick out. Even in an unmoderated week, you will be judged on the quality of your writing by your readers, so don’t skip the proofreading!

Keep in mind that your post has to make sense if your reader doesn’t know the question. Don’t use the question as your title or anywhere else in your piece. And remember, any words surrounding your gargleblaster — explanations, references, footnotes, shout-outs, etc. — will be counted against your 42-word limit.

Need a second set of eyes? Find yourself a writing partner over in the yeah write coffeehouse.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

The top 42 entries will be open for voting on Thursday

You may enter only one gargleblaster microstory. Submissions are unmoderated this week, so up to 42 entries that meet the basic guidelines will show up on the voting grid, which opens on Thursday. If you don’t make it onto the grid, go ahead and hitchhike by leaving us a note in the comments of this post! Everybody: read, comment, vote!

Email us or head over to our pages on Facebook and Twitter with any questions.

Winners will be announced on Friday

Look for Friday’s combined winners’ post to see the crowd favorites and editors’ picks from across all of our challenge grids.

What else is happening around here?

We’ve got the nonfiction grid opening on Mondays, the speakeasy for fiction and poetry on Tuesdays, the gargleblaster micro challenge on Wednesdays, and the come-one, come-all moonshine grid for the weekends. We’ve also got a great hangout space over at the coffeehouse. Make sure you subscribe to our weekly e-mail blast so you don’t miss out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The yeah write #207 weekly writing challenge is open is open for micro-stories: fiction, non-fiction, haiku, whatever. Answer the question in exactly 42 words by submitting your post below.

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