Prey Drive
I spied my first coyote of the spring in the woods today, or rather my dog Tango did, which means more are on the way. They tend to be very active as the new pups arrive, so it’s time to be a bit more vigilant and maybe let the daydreaming fall by the wayside for a bit. I’m usually very aware of my environment, unless I’m trying to write a story in my head, which happens a fair amount, even though the words don’t always make it out of my brain and onto the grids. My dogs are fifty pounds each, not so small that I fear they’ll be snatched by a coyote, but Tango chased after this one, and once her prey drive is engaged, her recall skills go out the window. Fortunately, this coyote ran away, but if they are in a pack of several, which is quite common where I hike, the outcome could be less favorable. I’m usually able to spy them first and head her off, but she spotted this “playmate” and took off before I even saw anything. Maybe it’s time for shower-writing instead of hiking-writing! Do you ever compose stories in your head when you are doing something else?
~ Stacie
Welcome to Week 418
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 – Critique Groups
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.”
In April we’re going to tell you all about critique groups. How can you tell if your idea is good? Are you stuck on a plot point? A critique group can help you sort out in-progress writing that isn’t ready for an edit, or figure out what’s missing in a piece that’s racking up rejections.
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 are superstitious about. Have fun!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
Prompt Up is our mandatory weekly writing prompt for the fiction|poetry challenge! Here's How It Works!
After two months of some pretty challenging prompts, we’re steering this ship back to familiar waters. Two prompts!
The occupation prompt, chosen by our YeahWrite #416 fiction|poetry winner, Laura,
The dialogue prompt, which must not be changed in any way, is: “If there was ever a time to start running, now would be it.”
Poets: It’s National Poetry Month! This month we’re focusing on reading and writing more poetry. Work at least one of our prompts into a poem in any style or form! If the prompts aren’t speaking to you this week, remember that our nonfiction grid also accepts poetry that speaks your truth, and doesn’t require you to write to a prompt. And for this month only, we’re waiving our linkup rules for poetry. It’s fine to also link to your NaPoWriMo, Poem of the Day, or whatever other challenge you may be taking part of, as long as it’s not a competition and not a commercial link!
Poetry Slam - National Poetry Month
It’s National Poetry Month and all we want is… poetry! This month’s “slam” focuses on poetry itself, what makes us love it, and why we want to write it. Discover a new poem that you’ll love, and write one that we’ll love. It’s as simple as that!
Since there’s no official form requirement, poetry for the fiction|poetry grid will need to incorporate one of the grid prompts. But never fear, our nonfiction grid also accepts poetry that speaks to your understanding of the truth, whether that’s your inner truth or the world around you.
For April, we’re waiving our linkup rules for poetry. It’s fine to also link to your NaPoWriMo, Poem of the Day, or whatever other challenge you may be taking part of, as long as it’s not a separate competition (i.e. with voting, etc.) and not a commercial link.
NOTE REGARDING OUR GRIDS: Inlinkz, which supports our grid format, is currently transitioning to a new website and may no longer support image-based grids for a brief period of time. Don’t be worried if your link and other links appear as text over the coming weeks (or perhaps even months) during this transition. Thank you for your patience!
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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! Registration is open until April 24, so sign up today to take part in this awesome writing contest. 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:
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.
