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Break on through
We’ve had some really strong grids over the last few weeks – nonfiction, fiction|poetry and microstory – and I’m noticing a trend. People are doing more than just writing from the heart, which is a must for any yeah write piece, or any piece worth reading, for that matter. People are starting to take risks and push themselves. We’ve seen a couple of real break-through moments on all of the grids. It’s a pleasure to watch it happening.
On the other hand, I’ve noticed a number of folks lamenting a lack of motivation. Or they feel like they may have run out of things to say. (I’m in this boat myself.) So I’m asking, on behalf of all of us: How do you break on through to the other side of a writing rut? Leave us some advice in the comments!
Stay tuned for who’s on fourth!
Tomorrow is the fourth Monday of the month, which means it’s time for the next installation of our who’s on fourth interview series. This time Arden gives us a glimpse of what makes Shannon of About That Writing Thing tick. Come back tomorrow to meet Shannon![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
Bring us your personal essays and creative nonfiction!
The nonfiction challenge grid opens on Monday at midnight EDT. This is the best place on the ‘net to showcase your best writing. Make us laugh, make us cry, make us think, and above all: make us care.
Is fiction more your thing?
The fiction|poetry grid opens on Tuesday. Grab a mic and join our monthly poetry slam, or check out our new focus on fiction! The coffeehouse is the place to go to keep up on these special events.
This week’s ultimate question: What’s on the other side?
Answer this question in exactly 42 words for the microstory challenge, or use it to inspire your submission to the other competitive grids.
Tips for your microstories
This week’s question requires only two things for a good answer: a physical or metaphorical object or obstacle, and a goal, destination or purpose. Remember, if you’re turning over a page, rock, or new leaf, we have to know what’s on the visible side as well as the hidden side. Please note that the verb tense of the answer should match the verb tense of the question. We aren’t looking for a historical or speculative perspective; we want to know what is actually there.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
Winners’ round-up
In case you missed them, you can find last week’s yeah write staff picks and crowd favorites all laid out for you on Friday’s winners’ post. Leave the winners some love in the comments. They will love you right back, we guarantee it.
The weekend’s not over: the moonshine grid is still open. Have something to add? Old posts and new are welcome. No moderation, no voting. It’s a laid-back relaxed kind of place. Drop by, share your work, and while you’re there, visit your fellow yeah writers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
How yeah write works
We’ve got three competitive challenge grids at the yeah write weekly writing challenge — nonfiction, fiction|poetry and microstories. Most weeks, they are all moderated. Submissions which do not meet our editorial guidelines are not passed through to the voting grid.
All summer long though, the three challenge grids are unmoderated!
You can learn more about yeah write in our FAQ.
More than just a weekly writing challenge
Sure, the competitive grids are our bread and butter, but there’s more on the menu. We’re building a community of writers who are continually striving to get better at their craft. The challenge grids are one way to do this. We’ve also got the moonshine weekend writing showcase, which is a great place to let loose and try something new, plus the yeah write coffeehouse — the hippest place on the ‘net to find a writing partner, talk about writing or just hang out with other yeah writers. Head barista Nate serves up a couple shots of espresso every week, specially formulated to get your creative juices flowing. Grab a chair and start chatting up your neighbors!
More questions?
Want to ask a question? Start a conversation? Brand new to yeah write and need some clarification? Please visit us on social media!
You can also email us at getsocial@yeahwrite.me.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Rut-busting by magnetic poetry!
http://magneticpoetry.com/pages/play-online
When my brain gets jammed-up, I find that fingerpainting helps get the creativity flowing again. Writing with my left hand for awhile (I’m right-handed) also seems to help.
I think waiting for motivation is like standing at the corner waiting for a bus that runs only every 5 days but no one knows which days. In other words, waiting for motivation is a waste of time.
For me, the standard is to write and publish on my blog every day. I hardly ever meet that standard but that’s what I’m aiming for. I’m trying to have discipline replace motivation out of the belief that it is discipline that will make me a better writer.
Interestingly, inspiration comes through force of habit, at least for me.
I find that reading books (currently reading and re-reading ‘Writing Down the bones’) is a great way to stay motivated to write. In addition, I use photographs- mostly of Nature, as starting points for a poem, flash fiction piece. When I was at the dentist last weekend, I saw something that I think may make for a good non-fiction piece but I have to get around to deciding how to put it down. All in all, doable, if you’re in the space to write. Else, don’t push it. Write when you can 🙂