The Perils of Being a Writer
Some years ago, I coined the phrase “Blogger’s Neck.” This is what I called it when my neck was stiff from looking down. I’m sure there’s a more technical name for it and that other people have neck troubles. Still, it’s one of my crowning achievements. Today I noticed I have dents on both of my forearms, write below the wrist. I’m going to call this “Writer’s Wrist.” It’s the dents you get when you rest your arms on the edge of your laptop or desk and you stay like that so long you get dents. Somewhere, Mrs. Coviello, the teacher who taught me to type in 4th grade, is having a small fit because she TOLD me to not rest my wrists but to keep them parallel to the floor and now I see why she said that. I guess she didn’t hit me with the pointer enough for it to be fully ingrained before I became dented. Oh well.
How about you? Do you have any ridiculous writing related situations (we can’t really call these injuries, can we?). Tell us in comments.
Welcome to Week 387
We’re kicking off the week in style at YeahWrite with both our competitive challenge grids in one post, plus prompts, tips, tricks and more. You asked, we answered! Keep scrolling down cause it’s all right here.
Submissions for this week’s challenges open on Monday at 12 midnight and close on Wednesday at 10pm ET. Voting will then open immediately thereafter and close on Thursday at 10pm ET. The winners, as always, will be celebrated on Friday.
Having trouble getting started? Hop on over to our quick guide. And don’t forget to doublecheck the full submission guidelines before you hit that button.
Looking For Microprose?
Our tiniest challenge with the biggest bang is open the first Wednesday of every month from midnight to 10 p.m.
Nonfiction Challenge
Short Can Be Sweet
Some of us nonfiction types have been busting onto the grid at the last minute lately. In my case this is unusual. Writing is hard for me. Typically, I work on a post for days if it’s prompted (and I get the prompts only days in advance of the deadline) and sometimes a couple of weeks for unprompted stories. I agonize over every word. I don’t usually feel comfortable posting my last-minute work, and this past week was no different. You should have seen what I originally wrote, about 400 words of details completely unnecessary to my story. Finally, I took a deep breathe and eliminated three-quarters of the words, and the result was so much better! This isn’t to say that some stories don’t need more words because many do. Just keep in mind that sometimes fewer words create a bigger impact. Ready to write again this week? The nonfiction grid has no prompts, so you can write any story you want. If you’d prefer writing to a prompt, visit the YeahWrite Coffeehouse on Facebook and ask for one there! Happy writing!
Technique Toolbox: Pseudonyms
Every writer wants to build a brand – but what’s your brand name? Should you use your legal name? Pick a pseudonym? When and why might you want to use a name that isn’t your legal name, and how do you pick a good one? This month’s Technique Toolbox has you covered!
Nonfiction Challenge Grid: Basic YeahWrite Guidelines
Loading InLinkz ...Fiction|Poetry Challenge
A New View
Last week’s Fiction|Poetry prompts elicited such wonderful responses. It seems like a lot of you enjoyed the challenge of combining an opening line and a POV prompt, and/or the Golden Shovel poetry form, and you found some creative ways to show us. It was especially good to see well developed characters and plot maintained while you experimented with perspectives and worked on inserting the opening line smoothly. I had a quick peek at Rowan’s handy guide on the Golden Shovel, and I am intrigued! I’m excited to see what you come up with this week.
September Poetry Slam: The Golden Shovel
With Back-to-School in full swing, we’re learning about two poems for the price of one in this month’s Slam. The Golden Shovel requires two things: a line from an existing poem, and a little patience to write your own using those words as a prompt. Join us!
Prompt Up!
Prompt Up is our mandatory weekly writing prompt for the fiction|poetry challenge! Here's How It Works!
In September we’re experimenting with voice. The first prompt is a mandatory opening sentence. Your job is to match your writing to it. If they use a word or phrase you would never use, then create a writing style that would use that phrase.
The first prompt, from YeahWrite #385 fiction|poetry winner Margaret Shafer, is: She wasn’t surprised the pencils were missing.
The second prompt is the Narrator’s Point of View. It will always be a specific person, animal, or object. The prompt may or may not have a descriptor attached. For instance, the prompt could be “the main character’s dog” or it could be “the main character’s sarcastic dog.” The Narrator’s Point of View does not have to be a character in the story, but it should affect the way the story is told.
The second prompt, from the YeahWrite editors, is: Her Majesty The Queen.
Poets: Write a poem using the opening line somewhere in your work, or write a poem written from the Narrator’s POV, or use the opening line to write a Golden Shovel poem.
Fiction|Poetry Challenge Grid: Basic YeahWrite Guidelines
Loading InLinkz ...YeahWrite Super Challenge
Super Challenge #10 (fiction) is now open for early registration – Sign up today! Make sure you also sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any Super Challenge announcements.
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 last Friday’s winners’ post. Leave the winners some love in the comments. They will love you right back, we guarantee it.
Last call: This week’s Weekend Writing Showcase is still open for business until the challenge grids start at midnight! 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 YeahWriters.
YeahWrite in the Wild
You read their words every week, but it's not often you get to see the people behind those words. Browse through our gallery and see if you can spot regular contributors or editors.
If you'd like to be featured in the gallery, simply head over to our Swag shop, make your purchase, then when it arrives send us a photo of you in/with your YeahWrite swag to editors@yeahwrite.me.
About the author:
Michelle submitted her first entry to YeahWrite in March 2012 and was brought on staff shortly thereafter. Over the years, Michelle has been an integral figure at YeahWrite, but in 2016, we were thrilled to have her step into the role of Editor-In-Chief. Personally, she has worked in the insurance/employee benefits industry for over twenty years and also fills her time as a freelance writer. 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.
Blogger’s neck is an excellent term. I have it – often, along with the indentations of writer’s wrist and the smarting of editor’s eye. Thanks for making me smile on a Monday morning.