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Greetings Earthlings!

Speed is relative. Sometimes it feels like the more time I have, the slower I write. Time just stands still. But the closer I get to a deadline, the faster I get. Chris Baty, founder of the National Novel Writing Month, claims that the only tool a writer needs is a deadline. I’m inclined to believe him. Something about seeing that end point really revs my engine.

How about you? Are you ready for our fast-and-furious microstory challenge? Let’s see if you can keep up.[/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: how fast were you going?

This week’s question requires only one thing for a good answer: a sense of speed or motion, either literal (“We were only going 25 when we crashed.”) or figurative (“First it was a drink a day, then it was a bottle. I was sliding downhill, fast.”). Comparative answers are okay: “We were racing the train, but it pulled away from us.” (Answer: not as fast as the train) You don’t have to be exact, but you must convey a sense of motion in the past tense. 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.

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 moderated. All entries will show up on our submissions grid, and up to 42 entries will be moved to the voting grid, which opens on Thursday. Everybody: read, comment, vote!

If you don’t make the voting grid, don’t despair – you’ll get a detailed love letter from our wonderful submissions editor, Rowan G., letting you know what needed improvement. 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]

How fast were you going?

The yeah write #210 weekly writing challenge is open is open for micro-stories: fiction, non-fiction, haiku, whatever. Answer the question in exactly 42 words by clicking the blue button below.

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