You inspired this.
Inspiration takes all forms. It has always fascinated me how a writer can go months without experiencing any spark of creativity and then, after reading a meme on Twitter, they’re knee-deep into a new novel. How many writing friends have you heard say that they weren’t working on anything because they were “waiting to be inspired’? Yeah, that’s not a thing. Studies have been done indicating that people can actively pursue inspiration. In fact, intentionally looking for inspiration in daily life might train the brain to create more instances of spontaneous inspiration.
How did I respond to reading this news? I created a secret Instagram account.
I now go through my day looking for amazing photos. It’s fun, and I’ll have a reasonable visual account of this time of my life. For someone who is good at remembering to *bring* a camera but bad at actually taking a photo, that’s a big deal. What does this have to do with writing? Inspiration generally isn’t a single-track realization. It tends to split into tendrils and tickle several compartments in our brains.
What’s your favorite way to find inspiration?
~Nate
Welcome to Week 413
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 – Finding and working with an editor
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 March focus is on finding and working with a professional editor. No matter how good you are at writing, your work needs the final polish that comes from having an outsider review it for your habitual tics, grammar errors, and blind spots. But not all editing is equal: learn how to find an editor who helps you sound like the best version of you, 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 something you fear. Have fun!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
Prompt Up is our mandatory weekly writing prompt for the fiction|poetry challenge! Here's How It Works!
This year is Marching on (see what I did there?) and we’re looking back to go forward this month! Some of you may remember when there was an Ultimate Question to answer as a prompt for all three grids; Fiction|Poetry, Nonfiction, and Micro. Some of you may also remember a time before Google and online
For March we’re asking you to answer one of these questions (chosen by the weekly winner) somewhere in your story. We’re leaving the interpretation of the question and how you answer it up to you. You only have one prompt this month so be creative, surprise us, but you must answer the question in a way that will be obvious to others who know the prompt.
The question prompt, chosen by our YeahWrite #411 fiction|poetry winner, Tara, is: What is the natural enemy of a duck?
Poets: In March we’re working with synesthesia – playing with sensory input to pack additional meaning into your work. Write a poem using this device (learn more about it here). Or you can write a poem that answers our question prompt. Or both!
Poetry Slam - Synesthesia
This month’s poetry “slam” isn’t going to focus on a form, but on a technique. Learn about incorporating a literary device called synesthesia to pack more meaning into your poetry this month!
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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 #12 (fiction!) is now open for registration! Early registration is open until April 3, so sign up today to take advantage of the discounted rate. Make sure you also sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss 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:
As a professional editor and writer, Nate has published his work in numerous English and history textbooks and in online reading programs. In February 2014, he found his way back to creative writing and began submitting to YeahWrite. Soon after, he became an editor of the Fiction|Poetry challenge. You can read his work at northwest journals, a blog that has been recognized by WordPress Discover, Five Star Mix-tape, Genealogy á la Carte, The Drabble, and BlogHer’s Voice of the Year. He lives in Chicago with his partner and a mini-Bengal tiger.
