Based on the posts submitted for yeah write #47, I have a few tips for those of you trying to either move up in the superfecta challenge or on the grid for yeah write #48.
Keeping in mind we all have around 50 blogs to read then vote on each week—and so many of the entries can get lost in the shuffle—these tips may help keep your entry on readers’ minds as they return to vote:
Watch your post length
When auditioning for a gig, professionals will usually sing a special, shorter arrangement of their chosen song. Attempting a full-length version could get them cut off by the judges then no one would hear their awesome ending high note. As long as a shorter, yeah write version of your normally full-length post has all the storytelling elements—conflict, climax, resolution—you won’t get cut off by your readers and we’ll read your awesomeness to the very end.
Don’t leave us hanging
After all the wonderful build up, excitement and anticipation, please don’t forget the big reveal. That can be so disappointing for those who stuck with you to the very end only to be rewarded with the sense you’re deliberately keeping something from us. Did you or did you not ever pay back your evil neighbor for stealing your Belgian waffle maker? We need to know and we promise not to call the police.
Don’t bury the lede
There is no such thing as a 500-word introduction. Get to the point early and often. Those of us who read each post on the grid will appreciate it. Everybody else will skim your post and forget they read it by voting time. I hate when that happens. Don’t let it happen to you.
Need more tips?
the yeah write Q & A series is here
the original guide to writing a winning yeah write post
Thanks for listening, I hope this helps. Yeah write #48 opens Tuesday.
Such good advice about not burying the lead (In some cases, Lede?). Blog posts are a form of micro-fiction, but often I find myself wanting to explain how I came to the topic instead of getting right into the topic.
Looking forward to this week!
It’s usually written as lede, but I didn’t want to confuse those of us not immersed in the minutia of journalism. I should probably change it. 🙂
Nice! Honestly, when there’s 50+ blogs to read and I hit one that’s a huge wall of tiny text, sometimes I just can’t do it.
We’re gonna get everybody where they need to be eventually! Thanks for the input 🙂
Not linking up this week but I’m definitely going to read all the posts, comment and vote. This week’s Q&A reminds me so much of a writing teacher I once had who often pounded his fist on the table and reminded us of Hemingway’s charge to “murder your darlings.” If I feel overly attached to a phrase or paragraph, it’s usually a sign that it needs to go. Looking forward to another rockin’ week.
Hey, Louise, then you will love the new sidebar button I made for readers who vote and voters who read. It’s the one to the right that says: I read them all—yes, yours, too. Please display it proudly! 🙂
Great tips Erica!
I laughed out loud at the 500 word introduction.
The long posts is kinda why I haven’t been back (yet).
I want to be fair and read all the posts, but it took me so much time to read them all.
We’re all on a learning curve, Mirjam. Many of the yeah write bloggers are new bloggers, and as a community, we’re committed to helping those willing to learn. I hope you’ll be back soon.
I love your first tip. I find it incredibly hard to read long posts, as you know. I think. Plus, I only have like 3 minutes to read per post, with over 50 to go through.
I’m hoping the audition analogy will help everyone understand how hard it is for us to read 35 750-word posts. Thanks for the encouraging comment!
I love your tips. I try very hard to follow them, but I’m not sure how good I am at it. I don’t care if I ever hit the superfecta (which I really don’t understand) or the top 3 or any of the favorites, I just enjoy linking up and expanding my readership if only for a few days. Reading all the other posts also give me other ideas on things to write about and ways to go about it.
Thanks Erica. Your rule!!!
I figured it would take people a while to catch onto the superfecta since I’ve done a terrible job of explaining it, but it’s a standing offer just waiting for someone’s aha moment.
I’m always excited when you link up, Kim. And your reasons for linking up are the exact reason I created the space in the very beginning. Thanks for the encouragement.
Great tips. I was/am aware of my inability to be “micro”….I think I saw it someplace else within this fab site. Working on it. One of the aspects I love about YW is the opportunities you provide for learning. Thank you.
Great tips! I really, really struggle with length.
No you don’t! I have been reading your stuff for examples on how to cut down length. Are you telling me I am in the wrong place? Lol.
It’s tempting to wanna throw everything you can at the story, but with a little discipline, you can create a tighter narrative. One that gets to the point without leaving out too many of the fun and/or important details. Thanks to both of you for appreciating today’s tips!
Meaning, if you are struggling, it isn’t apparent. I never feel your posts are too lengthy. It will get easier (at least that is what I hope. As you can see, clearly illustrated here, I struggle with leaving short comments. Posts-well, that’s another story….and probably a long one).
That’s what she said.