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Balancing work/life writing
I write for a living. It isn’t the kind of writing I would like to do—it isn’t terribly creative or exciting, though I try to inject life into dull topics. I am a grants writer. For the last month, I’ve been writing and researching 10-12 hours a day to meet a series of deadlines for a half-dozen grants. I’m fried.
One of the dangers of being a writer-for-hire is that you are consuming words all day, and the thought of writing for yourself—well, let’s just say it gets put on the back burner. I’m still learning about how to balance my personal writing with work writing. The one thing I do know is this: the more I write for myself, the better my writing is for work. Finding the time and giving myself permission (this is harder than finding time) to do both are challenges that I find more pressing each day.
I share this because I know how participating in a writing community like yeah write can be hard to sustain as life gets busy. But participating in a community like yeah write also sustains us in return—writing creatively breathes life back into us, makes us whole. Yes, I need to write more.
Talking about the creative process…
Our interview with David Gallaher, who along with Steve Ellis created an amazing world and characters for their graphic novel The Only Living Boy, is now live! Learn about his creative process, what he loves and hates about writing, and which word he simply cannot type properly no matter what. While you’re at it, consider picking up a copy of the book – it comes out March 8.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Nonfiction theme of the month:
Phrasing
There are more ways to make your story boring than just having no content. The most interesting story in the world will make a reader’s eyes glaze over if you make every sentence and paragraph the same. Learn to avoid this common mistake with this month’s technique.
This week’s ultimate question:
What did the doctor say?
This optional prompt, which also serves as the ultimate question for the microstory challenge opening Wednesday, is here to serve as your inspiration for your nonfiction submission. Already have your own story thought up? No problem! The prompt is only there if you need it.
Want more info?
Is this your first time here? Check out Sunday’s post which kicked off the week here at yeah write. If you don’t think you can remember to check back every Sunday, you can sign up for our email blasts directly to your inbox. Our email subscribers can also join us in the yeah write coffeehouse at its new home on Facebook.
If you’ve never taken the time to read them, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our submission guidelines. The rules are a little different for each of our challenges and we’d hate to have to send back great writing on a technicality.
Did you happen to end up here because you suddenly saw yeah write in your stats? Sometimes members of our community spot excellent writing and they send those posts on over to us. We hope you don’t mind. Take a look around and get to know our community. We’re sure you’ll be happy here.
Have questions you can’t find the answer to by poking around the site? Email us or find us on Facebook and Twitter and we’ll happily help you out.
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Submit to the yeah write #256 nonfiction challenge
The yeah write #256 weekly writing challenge is now open for nonfiction: personal essays, creative opinion, mostly true stories based on actual events. You can check out the submission guidelines and join us with your essay using the link below.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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