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Milestones
Two-hundred fifty. It’s just a number, right?
Sure, but did you realize that yeah write is one of the longest-running writing challenges on the ‘net? With an all-volunteer editorial staff and a committed rejection of the pay-to-play model, we’ve attracted some of the best writers around these parts without missing a single week since Erica first opened the doors. So to us, two-hundred fifty is more than a number; it’s a signal that we’re providing something of unique value.
What I’m trying to say here is: thanks. Thanks for sticking by us, for coming back week after week, and for proving again and again that this is the best place on the ‘net for writers who blog and bloggers who write.
Joining us this week? Check out our fancy yeah write #250 badges over there in the sidebar. We made them just for you.
Storytellers Summit
Yeah write is hanging out at this year’s Storyteller’s Summit. Check out Michelle’s post to learn all about it. Did we mention it’s free?!
Who’s on fourth
Did you ever wonder who is behind all those love letters we hate to love? Not to mention the great free advice? This month, Arden interviews our very own submissions editor, Rowan for our monthly column. Come back on Monday to get the inside scoop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The basics
Yeah write gives you three competitive challenge grids — nonfiction, fiction|poetry and microstories — all of which are moderated. Check them out below. Submissions that meet our guidelines will be moved to the voting grid; those that do not will get a personal love letter from our submissions editor explaining why. Got a question? E-mail us, tweet us, ping us on Facebook, or visit our online community, the yeah write coffeehouse. You can learn more about yeah write in our FAQ.
The rules
Please make sure you are familiar with our submission guidelines before you enter. We don’t have a lot of rules, but we do enforce them across the board. We’d hate to see anyone get disqualified by a technicality.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Bring us your personal essays and creative nonfiction!
The nonfiction challenge grid opens on Monday at midnight EST. 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.
Nonfiction theme of the month: narrative hook
The narrative hook is exactly what it sounds like – the thing that grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them wanting more. This month–with Rowan’s help–we’re going to help you play around with the concept. It’s a great complement to the oh-so-important “so what.”
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 weekly prompt up!
Prompt up!
Prompt up is our optional weekly writing prompt for the fiction|poetry challenge! Here’s how it works: we choose a sentence prompt from last week’s winning nonfiction post and announce it in the kickoff. You can use the prompt anywhere you like. You can even change it! Better yet, take the sentence and just run with it. It might surprise you where it takes you!
“Running with it” could mean that a prompt about banjos reminds you of your first concert with your aunt and how she was too busy chatting up some bearded man to notice you take your first sip of beer. And maybe you write a poem about that night, or maybe you write about a character’s first sip of beer. We’d love to read those stories; we don’t care how you landed there. Besides, having to read 20 banjo tales in one sitting might be a little much.
Remember: the prompt is just a springboard: use it, change it, float past it to another topic altogether.
JingleJangle brought us into the inner workings of her decision to move abroad with her post, Abandon Your Life In Five Simple Steps. This week’s prompt up is: Seven hours left of the day and it’s only Tuesday.
January poetry slam: aubade
It’s the dawn of a new year, and so this month’s poetry slam is particularly fitting. An aubade is a love poem or song – in any form – welcoming or lamenting the arrival of the dawn. It’s the poem that you write for your lover after you slip out the window at sunrise, or the song, full of joy or sorrow, that you sing for the arrival of the dawn. Need more to get started? Rowan has all the details for you.
This week’s microstory prompt: a picture is worth 42 words
We thought we’d shake things up a little for our 250th week. Instead of an ultimate question, we’re giving you a photo.
Use this photo to write a story in exactly 42 words for the microstory challenge, or use it to inspire your submission to the other competitive grids. The microstory challenge opens on Wednesday.
Tips for your microstories
Your story must include a discernible reference to the above photo. If the editors cannot find that reference, your story might not be moved to the voting grid. For more details, see Wednesday’s microstory opening post.
Remember: do not include extra words in your submission – no footnotes (except for photo credits), no explanations, no shout-outs. Do not rely on your word processor or blog to give you an accurate word count. COUNT YOUR WORDS WITH YOUR EYES. Posts that do not meet these standards will not be moved to the voting grid.
Questions? Want to talk it through? Grab a latte at the coffeehouse and chat with your fellow yeah writers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][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.
Weekend writing showcase
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. Just leave your commercial or sponsored posts at home. Drop by, share your work, and while you’re there, visit your fellow yeah writers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
