I Think I Feel a Lesson Coming On
I have some writing hang ups, just like everyone else. A few professional editors have read my manuscript, and they’ve all said the same thing: the overabundance of thought verbs is really annoying. One particular editor noted that I say that I “hated” things often. The notes in the margin say things like, “Hate again,” “There it is again,” “Again,” and my favorite, “Stop saying hate.” I started going through with a highlighter to find some of the other thought verbs, and in the first 10 pages I ran out of ink.
One of the editors sent me this essay by Chuck Palahniuk that appeared in Lit Reactor a few years back. Read it. Even if you think you don’t use thought verbs all that often, read it. Because nine times out of ten, I guarantee you there’s a better way to express what you’re trying to say than to use simple thought verbs. Don’t believe me? Go read the essay because it is full of examples.
Do you want to know why most writing instruction tells you to show and not tell? Because when you show how you hate something rather than just saying you hate it, I guarantee you the reader will be far more interested in what you have to say. Plus, if Chuck Palahniuk is saying it, you really probably should listen.
This week, whichever grid you’re on, watch those thought verbs and see how much better your writing is for it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy a new highlighter.
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Miss out on the last Super Challenge? Well, you’re in luck! Registration for Super Challenge #5 (nonfiction) is now open through July 12! 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: Emotional Misuse
As essayists, we like to give our readers All The Feels. But sometimes too many feels can get in the way of the reads. Learn how to balance the emotions in your writing to produce more complete and accessible works and to make strong emotion stand out in this month’s Nonfiction Know-How.
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.
Amy brought us into an earlier, more volatile time in her essay Spaces with Men. This week’s prompt taken from her piece is: “He is a bomb.”
July Poetry Slam: Palinode
This month’s Poetry Slam features the palinode, which Greek for “counterpoem” – retract your own ideas or join Team Petty as we recycle and revise poetry that needs a second look. 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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