My Brain on Brevity
Last year, I hardly wrote at all. I read a lot–more than sixty books–but I can count the number of stories I wrote on one hand (okay, it was six, but you get what I mean). Since I’ve already written three stories in 2019, I’m tracking far better. What seems to be working, finally, is to think short, as in well under the YeahWrite 750-word limit. My brain appears to be less intimidated about starting when I give myself permission to be brief. That said, it’s not always easier in the end; the shorter the story, the more every word matters. That’s why it’s so hard to write a really good microprose story (side note: Back when micro was weekly and about 40 people competing, I used to play a lot. But I only ever won once). Some of my recent stories, I like, and others feel forced to me. But the main point is that I’m writing, and hopefully that part will stick. If you feel stuck, why don’t you try tricking your brain like I am? You might still end up with a 700-word story, and that’s just fine. But if you never start, you’ll have nothing at all.
-Stacie
Welcome to Week 406
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 Saturday 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.
Technique Toolbox: Year of Fearless Writing – Tracking Submissions
Ready to take yourself seriously as a writer? Not sure how, or not convinced you’re ready? We think you can, and are, and will be. This year is our Year of Fearless Writing, where we’re going to focus on the craft of writing, not the art, to take you from “I write” to “I’m a writer.”
Our January focus is tracking submissions: why do you need to, and how should you do it? Find out, and take this month’s YFW challenge, right here!
Nonfiction: Optional Prompt
The nonfiction grid has no mandatory prompts. However, each week, we will give you an optional prompt in case that helps your mostly-true story juices flow. This week’s prompt is to write about a time you were mean or someone was mean to you. Have fun!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
Prompt Up is our mandatory weekly writing prompt for the fiction|poetry challenge! Here's How It Works!
It’s a new month and a new year! In celebration, we’re returning to the compulsory two-prompt format in January; the first prompt will come
2019 is the Year of the Pig according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, so we’re asking you to write a main character that embodies a personality trait of people born in the Year of the Pig chosen from this list.
Remember if your main character is lazy, for example, don’t say “she’s so lazy”. Instead, show the reader how she reclined on the couch, the TV remote inches from her left foot, and called out to her husband in the kitchen to fetch it for her — and could he get her a glass of water too? I’ve chosen a negative trait as an example, but there are plenty of positive traits to choose from, and some that could, well, go either way. If you’re this week’s winner, keep an eye out for an email in your inbox, because we’ll be asking you to help pick our prompt!
The personality trait prompt for your main character, chosen by our YeahWrite #404 fiction|poetry winner, Laura Duerr, is: romantic.
The genre prompt, from YeahWrite Editors,
Need a refresher on our genre and how to write it? You can find a basic definition and guide here. You can also check out these 7 Tips for Writing Horror or find a more detailed guide here.
Poets: January’s poetry slam is blank verse- check it out right here, and write a poem in that style. Or you can write a poem incorporating our personality trait prompt. Or both! (Just not neither- you have to pick at least one prompt.)
Poetry Slam - Blank Verse
Trying to remember how poetry works? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This month our slam takes it back to basics with blank verse, the simplest form of metered poetry. Get a handy tutorial on scansion (or learn how) and then jump in right here! We’ve got additional levels of difficulty for experienced or adventurous poets to step it up, too, so don’t skip this one.
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Our tiniest challenge with the biggest bang is open the first Wednesday of every month from midnight to 10 p.m.
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Super Challenge #11 (nonfiction!) is now open for registration! Our next contest kicks off in later this month so sign up today to ensure your spot. Make sure you 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.
About the author:
Stacie joined YeahWrite as its Fiction Editor in early 2013 before becoming YeahWrite’s Executive Editor in 2016. She blogs at Stacie’s Snapshots and Tidbits and was thrilled to be honored as a 2015 BlogHer Voice of the Year (VOTY) for this post. Before retiring, Stacie’s career involved developing new medicines for cancer and autoimmune diseases, work that resulted in more than twenty publications in scientific journals. Now, she enjoys daily hikes with her dogs and spending more time with her youngest son while her oldest is off at college.
