Are You Just Dreaming?
Now, I’m not one to go posting inspirational messages and whatnot, but I guess I was having a sappy moment when I first read about Norma Heath so I made a note to write about her in an upcoming kickoff. Norma was, at one time, homeless, a drug addict, and a prostitute. Now, she’s a Harvard grad. Here’s some news coverage about Norma Heath’s journey. In the clip she says, “There’s a difference between dreams and goals.” She goes on to say, “Hey, this goal stuff is good once you start reaching them!”
She makes a great point that I think most of us writers would do well to remember. We can dream of getting published or winning contests or whatever, but if we don’t set incremental goals and action steps to reach them, they’re likely to just stay dreams. Each time we hit a goal, it can give us the confidence to keep going, too. Norma set small goals like getting out of bed every day and making it to doctor’s appointments. Maybe your goal is to write for 15 minutes or 2 pages; it doesn’t matter. If you set yourself up to win every single day, you’ll be propelled forward, and it’s that much easier to keep going.
Who’s on Fourth
It’s that time again! This month, our very own Arden sits down with Anusha to learn more about the writer behind Amuse-Douche. The interview goes live Monday at 12pm ET, but for now, head on over to her website and show her some YeahWrite love!
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Congrats to Laura Neill, the winner of Super Challenge #5 and to Trish Tuthill and Sarah Grey on their runner-up finishes! We’re already gearing up for Super Challenge #6 where we’re returning to the land of fiction. Register today and be sure to sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any announcements for the YeahWrite Super Challenge.
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: Persuasive Essay
Creative nonfiction isn’t just your personal mostly-true stories. You can also use your powers to teach and persuade readers. Learn how to share your wisdom and lessons about life in a persuasive essay that’s more fun to read than that Grade 8 essay question answer 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.
This week’s prompt up comes to us from Rowan’s winning post from last week, Cabinets. Your prompt, should you choose to accept it, is: We counted six.
August Poetry Slam: Prompts
We’re wrapping up our summer break with a break from poetry and looking forward to our next Super Challenge as Rowan breaks down what a prompt is and how to use it from the other side of the judging table. Looking for ideas? She’ll even throw in some prompts at the end to stretch your brain. We’ve got your Slam right 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.
About the author:
Michelle submitted her first entry to YeahWrite in March 2012 and they haven’t been able to get rid of her since. After nearly 20 years in the insurance/employee benefits industry, she decided to give it all up to pursue writing full time. Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post and xoJane, as well as several local sites near her northern NJ home. She blogs at Michelle Longo.
