How to Write
I’m a big believer in beginning where you are. If you know where you are and where you want to be, you can set forth on a path to reach that goal. Even when you have the same end goal as everyone in the room, your current position – based on past experiences, education, available opportunities, current obligations (familial, work-related, etc.) – means beginning where you could likely look different from everyone else. Some will be ahead of or behind you on the same path and others will be coming from the opposite direction.
At YeahWrite, we try to cater to everyone looking to improve. But if you’re all in different places, that can get tricky. I happened upon this essay from The Masters Review by Margaret Malone, and though it’s titled “This Is How a Writer Writes a Story,” it’s not at all Writing 101. In fact, I thought it was perfect for beginning writers as well as those who have gone a few rounds already. It’s an excellent reminder of what it takes to write – because no matter where any of us are, we all essentially need to follow this process for our stories to take shape.
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Miss out on the last Super Challenge? Well, you’re in luck! Early (discounted!) registration for Super Challenge #5 (nonfiction) is now open! Also, be sure to sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any announcements for upcoming challenges.
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 Know-How: Think Outside the Thesaurus
Word overuse plagues most writers but the solution isn’t always as simple as grabbing a thesaurus. Learn how to avoid the most common traps in both overuse and trying to correct overuse in this month’s Nonfiction Know-How. Fictioneers, you might want to glance at this one, too! Learn more from Rowan here.
Is fiction more your thing?
The Fiction|Poetry Challenge 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 announce a sentence prompt from last week’s winning nonfiction post. It’s your job to use that prompt in your story or poem in some way. Feel free to use it as your first sentence, move it somewhere else, change it, or float it down to other territories.
L.E.R.T. took us to the Himalayas in his piece One Step. This week’s prompt up taken from his essay is: “I guess I need these adrenaline fixes to counter my fears.”
June Poetry Slam: Filk
On summer (or winter) vacation and looking for a new song to sing around the fire? How about a new song to an old tune? We’re combining poetry and music in this month’s slam as we teach you to write a filk song. Sure, it’s just a sneaky way to make you write a poem that rhymes and scans, but it’s also a fun way to apply everything you know about poetry and show off a little in the process! Learn more from Rowan here.
Winners’ Round-Up
In case you missed them, you can find last week’s YeahWrite 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 yeah write Weekend Writing Showcase 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.
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