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Just what the doctor ordered

We talk a lot about how hard writing is, how difficult it is to find the time, how disheartening it is to stare at a blank page or screen, how nothing is ever, ever good enough. So why do we do it?

Just yesterday I explained it like this: “I feel like we are skiing – no, riding a skiffsled down the side of a dune. With no brakes and no need to steer, we just lean a little to stay on course and the bottom is right there, we can see it and there isn’t even time to brace ourselves for the impact because by the time we raise our arms we will be there, skidding to a halt, to finally, finally, let go that breath.”

Neil Gaiman puts it more elegantly: “Sometimes you fly, and that pays for everything.”

I think, sometimes, in the midst of all the struggles and the day jobs and the playdates and the everything else that makes our lives full and complete, we lose sight of the joy of it. So, here’s my prescription for you: the next time you sit down to write, take a moment or three to really enjoy the process, to love your words and your characters and the worlds you create and describe and even destroy.

Speaking of creating worlds…

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 in hardcover on March 8.[/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: 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.

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. It’s your job to use that prompt as the first sentence in your poem or story and then run with it. The prompt is just a springboard, though: feel free to keep it as your first sentence, move it, change it, or float down it to other territories.

Last week, Asha told what she would say to her 13-year-old self in Rewriting the Past. This week’s Prompt Up is: I’m familiar with the bitter taste.

March poetry slam: haiku

Haiku is not just about counting syllables, and it’s much, much more than 5-7-5. Rowan will teach you to pack this tiny poem with enough imagery and emotion to sustain your soul for days.

This week’s ultimate question: what did the doctor say?

Answer this question 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

This week’s question requires a conversation with or advice from an expert on a real or metaphorical “illness.” The illness could be as simple as the common cold or as complex as global warming. The doctor could be a PhD, MD, or Doctor Mom.

Remember: do not include the question in your title or your answer. Do not include extra words – 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]