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Greetings Earthlings!

Nothing in life is free, right? Least of all our time. Gargleblasters aren’t cheap, and microstories aren’t easy. Did you write down the first 42 words that popped into your head? Or did you take a little extra time to fine-tune your story? Microstories seem short and simple, but there’s a reason we give you three full days to work on them before we open the submissions grid. We know it’s precious, but the extra time you take to really consider your entry makes a ton of difference. You might need to pay for it with a few missed tweets or delayed Facebook updates, but really, it’s worth it in the long run.[/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: who’s gonna pay the check?

This week’s question requires only two things for a good answer: something to be paid for and the identification of the payer. You can go literal with this question (you and your brother are taking Mom out to brunch – who picks up the bill?) or abstract (a person makes a bad moral decision – who will suffer the consequences?). Please note that the verb tense of the answer should match the verb tense of the question.

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. And if you’re really looking for love, you could leave me a birthday wish in the comments. I’m a year short of a gargleblaster today![/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! New around here? Please read our submission guidelines.

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]

Who’s gonna pay the check?

The yeah write #213 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 link below.

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